Insurance company ratings - my experience

[Sir Charles]

The following companies I have used in the past so thought I would compile a short summary and rating on my dealings with them. I have just bought a 99 spec 300ZX so went back to them to see what they could do for me.

 

Lynbrook Insurance - Overall rating 0/10

 

I used Lynbrook to obtain quotes on my 1995 TT previously...just to compare with Footman James (who I normally use). They were not very competitive so in the end stuck with FJ.

 

This time around though I gave them the opportunity again. Called them up gave them all the details they needed and they wanted 24 hours to give me a quote. I wasn't especially upset by this but I delayed buying anything to give them a chance. 2 WEEKS later they called me offering me quotes. I told them it was utterly pointless calling me that late after contacting them as I had already sorted out insurance elsewhere. So they get 0/10

 

Footman James - 5/10

 

I have always used Footman James since owning a 300. I even had to claim through them once when the flood happened. They were fairly quick settling even though it was a lower amount than I expected. But I was pretty happy with their service.

 

However when coming to get a quote on my 99 spec they said they don't insure that particular model unless it is 20+ years old. I had my 1995 TT insured with them when it was under 20 years old so they missed a trick there. Also the advisor was quite rude when I questioned him asking if he was correct...as Dave from FJ sorted it out last time as they said the same thing with my 95 spec. I decided not to give them the chance this time.

 

Adrian Flux - 8/10

 

Adrian Flux have never ever ever been competitive for me. Always offered me ridiculous quotes in the past. This time it was a bit different. Adrian Flux placed my policy this time around with Equity Red Star (who I was also placed with when I insured through FJ on the 95 spec and 91 spec). No drama with the age of the car being a 1999 either. They would have got 10/10 had they given me any sort of club discount (which was never confirmed by the advisor despite me mentioning that we get it) and also the problem with them asking for my NCD proof even though it is a classic policy and it is not used on it.

 

 

I think in the future I will try to go direct to ERS and give them a go I think.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Sir Charles

[Joely P]

Good thread. [emoji106]

 

I'm not sure you can go direct to ERS as an underwriter for a policy but it would be nice to confirm (bird?). A fair few members are probably insured with them (possibly without knowing if they don't read the policy documents).

 

I can add to the experiences as I have recently renewed all 3 cars in my household (although I'll only include the Z). The IPT increase has certainly affected quotes across the board this year as the premiums for me were noticeably higher.

 

Footman James - 6/10

 

The policy add-ons with FJ (such as no cost salvage retention) are very attractive and I think overall FJ offer the most comprehensive policy available of any of the insurers, but at a cost! Once you've specced up the policy, the cost becomes uncompetitive. I do like the no quibble, straight forward, included agreed valuation procedure, but this year, FJ were nearly £150 over my best quote! With better quotes, I think they would hands down be the best insurer out of the lot (on paper at least, I cannot review any companies in the event of a claim).

 

 

Adrian Flux - 7/10

 

I have been with Adrian Flux before (and have renewed my wife's car with them this year) but they also seem to be struggling to reach a competitive price for the Z. The price they quoted was pretty reasonable this year even when you've suggested the requirement of an agreed valuation, however what they don't mention (luckily I asked the question directly) is that to get the agreed valuation added on costs an additional £39.99 on top of the premium! This pushed them over the edge for me.

 

 

Lancaster Insurance - 9/10

 

I renewed the Z with these guys this year (having never used them before), the price was better than the competitors and the staff have been extremely helpful with great communications. Unlike any of the others I know of, the premium included full UK and EU breakdown cover and legal expenses; these are expensive add-ons with the other companies. The agreed valuation procedure is relatively painless, but the additional £17 was an unfortunate bump on the premium and is one of the reasons why they just fell short of 10/10.

 

The underwriter is also Equity Red Star and bizarrely, as were some of the other quotes I had from different companies. I find it surprising how the quotes differ for identical details from the same underwriter with different brokers.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Joely P

[bigmincey]

I have been with this mob for years. Shop around every year and nobody has beaten them ...yet !!

 

http://graham-sykes.co.uk/motor-insurance/

 

Alan.......

[Sir Charles]

I think it is also worth mentioning that Footman James / ERS allowed me to buy my car back from them for 10% of the settlement amount (before excess deductions).

[Joely P]

I think it is also worth mentioning that Footman James / ERS allowed me to buy my car back from them for 10% of the settlement amount (before excess deductions).

 

Most companies allow you to buy the car back, usually at scrap value, 10% of the settlement could be quite a hit on a 10-15k agreed value policy. If you had paid an extra £15 on your premium for the "nil deduction salvage retention" FJ+ product, you would've got the car back for free including the full payout.

[Sir Charles]

Most companies allow you to buy the car back, usually at scrap value, 10% of the settlement could be quite a hit on a 10-15k agreed value policy. If you had paid an extra £15 on your premium for the "nil deduction salvage retention" FJ+ product, you would've got the car back for free including the full payout.

 

I don't remember ever being offered that option to be honest.

[JaiKai]

Bloody AF,

 

I setup an agreed valuation for 10k now they say they never received any of the proof.

 

On the phone fighting with the underwriters.

[Mondo]

Bloody AF,

 

I setup an agreed valuation for 10k now they say they never received any of the proof.

 

On the phone fighting with the underwriters.

 

Bad to worse... :(

[dutchgold92]

Bloody AF,

 

I setup an agreed valuation for 10k now they say they never received any of the proof.

 

On the phone fighting with the underwriters.

 

Typical scumbag insurers... Don't let them away with it.

[Joely P]

[emoji15]

[JaiKai]

for valuation i'v got all my receipts so they are going to do it based on market value and

using my receipts and general condition of the car.

Bad to worse... :(

[Mondo]

for valuation i'v got all my receipts so they are going to do it based on market value and

using my receipts and general condition of the car.

 

Give me your email address and I'll send you the invoice for your retrim, Lee. Don't think I gave you a physical copy when you collected!

[JaiKai]

yeh,

 

Its lee.young@jaikai.co.uk

 

Thanks

Give me your email address and I'll send you the invoice for your retrim, Lee. Don't think I gave you a physical copy when you collected!

[Mondo]

On it's way now, mate :)

[JaiKai]

received.

 

On it's way now, mate :)

[Joely P]

I remember when you had that return done, cost £10,000 didn't it? [emoji57]

[Mondo]

I remember when you had that return done, cost £10,000 didn't it? [emoji57]

 

I wish!! :lol:

[Joely P]

I called it a "return" [emoji53]

[Gaz 300]

AF disappoints another member :thumbdown: Hope they sort it out for you Lee.

[Mondo]

I was insured with Flux for a year back when I had my old Celica SS-III... it took a while to get them to insure it as the correct model as they were convinced it was just a GT.

 

Then they refused to insure me on my first Zed as I apparently had no experience of driving a high-powered car! :thumbdown:

 

That, as they say, was that....

[Gaz 300]

I was insured with Flux for a year back when I had my old Celica SS-III... it took a while to get them to insure it as the correct model as they were convinced it was just a GT.

 

Then they refused to insure me on my first Zed as I apparently had no experience of driving a high-powered car! :thumbdown:

 

That, as they say, was that....

 

 

Sounds familiar Si. They refused to insure my Z after they found out some of my no claims was trade. So after driving a 300zx for 8 years and never claiming in 37 years of driving their computer said NO. I just don't know how Insurance Company's work. Do they toss a coin to see if they will insure you or not then pick a random number to charge you. :(

[steve burns]

Sounds familiar Si. They refused to insure my Z after they found out some of my no claims was trade. So after driving a 300zx for 8 years and never claiming in 37 years of driving their computer said NO. I just don't know how Insurance Company's work. Do they toss a coin to see if they will insure you or not then pick a random number to charge you. :(

From a poll on Z Club it seems AF is the most used one but quite a few dissatisfied customers

Is it a case of the bigger the company the less they care if they do not satisfy a quite a few customers as they have so many the disgruntled in their eyes are just a spit in the ocean

A member on the Z Club has put us in touch with a broker he knows who is willing to discuss the options of setting up a deal for all Z owners exclusively

More details as and when

[Gaz 300]

From a poll on Z Club it seems AF is the most used one but quite a few dissatisfied customers

Is it a case of the bigger the company the less they care if they do not satisfy a quite a few customers as they have so many the disgruntled in their eyes are just a spit in the ocean

A member on the Z Club has put us in touch with a broker he knows who is willing to discuss the options of setting up a deal for all Z owners exclusively

More details as and when

 

Thanks for the update Steve and yes AF look like they have got to big to care which is a pity because car clubs talk to each other and bad news travels fast. I have went back to my local Broker for my other two cars but as the Z is sorned and locked down in a very secure alarmed garage I will leave it uninsured to the new year or maybe spring. Let us know how you get on with the new broker.

[Guest dan300zx]

I think it worth pointing out here that insurance companys are just gamblers when you think about it its a gamble for them, win or lose they are here to get the max amount of money form you at all times there not you friend or mate, there trained to get as much money out of you as possible each year. its that's simple. so don't be surprised in there moves and way they deal with you. there no there to help you there there to help them selfs make money due to car insurance being the law we have to have it and they can then charge what they want. its needs to change but if it ever will is any ones guess :thumbdown:

[Sir Charles]

I think it worth pointing out here that insurance companys are just gamblers when you think about it its a gamble for them, win or lose they are here to get the max amount of money form you at all times there not you friend or mate, there trained to get as much money out of you as possible each year. its that's simple. so don't be surprised in there moves and way they deal with you. there no there to help you there there to help them selfs make money due to car insurance being the law we have to have it and they can then charge what they want. its needs to change but if it ever will is any ones guess :thumbdown:

 

The same can be said for any profit making company or business. Its the customer experience that makes it worth the extra £££ in my eyes.