Are comparison websites misleading?

[Steve]

Do you think comparison websites are misleading?

I heard that insurers do not make much money if any from comparison site sales and its all about the second year renewal. Have you ever found that the second year renewal from insurance companies you purchased via comparison sites more expensive? And when you get another fresh quote from comparison website thats it’s much cheaper than the renewal?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2035330/Are-comparison-websites-misleading-Trading-probe-launched-relationship-motor-insurers.html

[BigAl]

I use comparison sites for rough quotes, but still ring around until I have found the best deal annually, as there is no loyalty from insurance companies sticking with one company.

[jonny]

I’m just going through that exercise at the moment as ‘Al’ says don’t expect any loyalty from anyone and yes if you approach a company for a new quote it should be competitive for the first year then as I have found it’s time to start looking again, comparison sites don’t do it for me I tend to get an online quote and when it’s competitive I then phone them and see if they can do a better deal! Which they invariably do at the moment I ‘m finding ‘Churchill’ & ‘Aviva’ the most competitive

[BigAl]

My last few best quotes were through the AA, the Auto club not the drink one.

[Mr D]

I use comparison sites for rough quotes, but still ring around until I have found the best deal annually, as there is no loyalty from insurance companies sticking with one company.

Hi Alan,

Totally agree with this approach, with my last car I stayed with one company for a number of years and each year the premium creeped up to almost double the first quotation. I think I was lazy to actually get it changed, that was until last year, I used a comparison website and managed to get a quote with a reputable company for the same sort of figure as for the first company.

When I informed the first company I wanted to cancel I initially got the third degree and they were adament their cover was better but when we went through their cover line by line and found them to be the same albeit for half the price, they abruptly rung off. No loss and a couple of hundred quid better off. :D

[Alastair]

Invariably, I put my details as a new customer with my existing insurer, I'm getting my Jaguar comprehensive for £500 at the moment with Churchill, but it's a £600 excess.

Best

Alastair

[Mr D]

Invariably, I put my details as a new customer with my existing insurer, I'm getting my Jaguar comprehensive for £500 at the moment with Churchill, but it's a £600 excess.

Best

Alastair

Hi Alastair,

Your quote seems high especially with that excess. How many years have you been driving and what no claims? Reason I ask, I have a V8 and I'm paying in the low £300 with a £250 excess, policy was taken out with Admiral online - the downside I still have more than twenty years to work before I can retire :)

May I suggest, shop around for a better deal.

Regards,

Dave

[Alastair]

I have Been sharing my wife's car for some years so this was a basic premium with no NCD. I looked around the various websites including the one on the Jaguar owners club and premiums were coming in at £1200.

I'm probably going to shift from Churchill next year, when I'll have two years NCD, I don't know if you noticed but the underwriters have changed.

Cheers,

Alastair