Aston Insurance - Value for Money

[PlusOneToo]

Coming to the end of the first year of ownership its time to consider insurance renewal. Went with Locktons first as being a safe bet but their quote is an eye watering £891.91 for a c £70k V8VR. This is with 3 years NCB, 5000 limited miles, and 1 speeding offence. They dont insist on the tracker but gives me lots of stuff I dont need like Pan euro breakdown, legal protection etc, but i cant delete. What they do give me which I value is choice of repairer should the unfortunate happen.

Following on from the Tracker thread I looked up other Insurers, Direct Line came in with a quote of £345.56 but they insist on the tracker being switched on which is another £250 per year, making their quote nearly £600. Still considerably cheaper but they have their own "approved" repairers which is a potential downside, or is it? Ive gone back to Locktons to ask them to sharpen their pencil and have another think

I looked on FAQ to see if there was list of other "approved" or recommended companies but nothing there. Given that c£900 is a lot to me, can I get a better deal bearing in mind a decent service if there is an accident? Your experience would be helpful.

[bomberh]

It really is swings and round abouts with insurance.

I am over 50, more than 10 years no claims, clean license, tracker on, vehicle not garaged and parked on private drive and my insurance renewed this month was just under £600.

However, its down to a few things like, post code, age, liability to them (convictions for anything, claims etc).

The best thing to do is look for one which will defiantly allow the car to be repaired at an approved/ your choice garage, (this is a big thing for me), and then go from there.

This topic comes up a lot, so I am sure there will be a bit more advice coming your way.

[PlusOneToo]

Thanks Bomberh that all very interesting but who is that with?

[bomberh]

PlusOneToo said:

Thanks Bomberh that all very interesting but who is that with?

It's with Aviva through a broker. I know what people will say, you have paid for their commission too, but I don't mind paying a little to them, as the deal is ok.

[jonby]

This topic keeps coming up every few weeks and the same outcome tends to emerge. Some (including me) note that Locktons is much more expensive but recognise what we are getting for the extra money. Whether you can justify paying more in premiums for those extras is a personal decision - main thing is to ensure you go into it with your eyes open

On my recent renewal, I went to a couple of other specialists for quotes and at first, they looked quite good but when I got down to the nitty gritty and properly compared all aspects of the policy, Locktons came out better.

Firstly Locktons have an absolutely superb record of paying out with the minimum of hassle - I have heard of many far more extreme examples but in mine, I needed a new windscreen. Most insurers would insist on a designated repairer such as autoglass. I had my local Aston dealer do it, it cost £1,300, locktons settled them directly and I didn't even have to fill out a claim form. . GLass excess incidentally is £50 excess

Of course you also have complete choice of repairer in any claim with locktons.

You then have the guaranteed value - that may or may not be important to you but providing a dealer or similar supports the value as being fair at the beginning of the policy year, locktons guarantee that value in the event of a total loss at any stage during the policy year. For someone in my position with a very difficult to value car (v12 roadster), it saves worrying about what would otherwise be undoubtedly very difficult negotiations in the event of a total loss. There is no total loss excess

European breakdown cover will come in handy when my car is 3 yrs old and no longer covered by aston but yes, doesn't help me now and from the sound of it, doesn't help you

Unlimited use abroad with 90 day maximum any one trip is very unusual but again, not beneficial to everyone.

Then of course there is track cover, again not for everyone

So it keeps coming back to the same thing - there are some great aspects to the locktons policy but if they aren't that beneficial to you, it doesn't help and then there is the more general aspect of being brilliant in a pay out, which it is very hard to put a specific £s value on

[AMDBSNick]

bomberh said:

It's with Aviva through a broker. I know what people will say, you have paid for their commission too, but I don't mind paying a little to them, as the deal is ok.

So are mine but I don't pay any commission

[mikey k]

AMDBSNick said:

bomberh said:

It's with Aviva through a broker. I know what people will say, you have paid for their commission too, but I don't mind paying a little to them, as the deal is ok.

So are mine but I don't pay any commission

Missed opportunity to pay your self more then

[PlusOneToo]

Thank you for the info Bomberh and sage words Jonby.

Its reassuring to be able to learn from the breadth of knowledge and experience on here.

[Jon39]

I use Aviva through a broker.
Premium went down considerably last time (no changes).
Freedom regarding repairers was important to me.
The excess does seems high though.

You can cut out the insurance broker with Aviva, because they do sell directly to customers.
If I have time at next renewal, I might check to see if that way is cheaper.

[steveatesh]

Another one for Aviva after years with Admiral Multi Car. Aviva - got my quote on line and arranged it through their call centre to do a multi car policy too. Considerably cheaper than Admiral - got the Vantage, a new Boxster and a Merc CLK insured for £656 business use. Cant complain really!

OP this all depends upon your attitude to risk.

[cayman-black]

some good info there from jonby, thanks.

[onny]

I just renewed my insurance. But I added my partner as a named driver to the policy. She has a clean driving record and by adding her the renewal premium dropped by 15% compared to the initial renewal quote I had with me as the only driver.

Curiously I tried that with a few online quoting sites a all of them quoted a lower premium when I added a female to the policy

[PlusOneToo]

onny said:

I just renewed my insurance. But I added my partner as a named driver to the policy. She has a clean driving record and by adding her the renewal premium dropped by 15% compared to the initial renewal quote I had with me as the only driver.

Curiously I tried that with a few online quoting sites a all of them quoted a lower premium when I added a female to the policy

I used to have one of those but she cost me a lot more than any savings I could have accrued through insurance premiums.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif

It looks like Aviva for me too. Their quote is £500 less than Locktons and I can use whoever repairer I wish as long as I pay an extra £200 excess on the claim. Thanks to all especially Bomberh for the lead.

[Jon39]

PlusOneToo said:

I used to have one of those, but she cost me a lot more than any savings I could have accrued through insurance premiums.

I know what you mean.

A man once told me that his wife's credit card had been stolen.
He had not reported the theft though, because the thief was spending less than his wife. -

[bomberh]

PlusOneToo said:

onny said:

I just renewed my insurance. But I added my partner as a named driver to the policy. She has a clean driving record and by adding her the renewal premium dropped by 15% compared to the initial renewal quote I had with me as the only driver.

Curiously I tried that with a few online quoting sites a all of them quoted a lower premium when I added a female to the policy

I used to have one of those but she cost me a lot more than any savings I could have accrued through insurance premiums.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif

It looks like Aviva for me too. Their quote is £500 less than Locktons and I can use whoever repairer I wish as long as I pay an extra £200 excess on the claim. Thanks to all especially Bomberh for the lead.

My pleasure

[AM4009]

I can also confirm cover with Aviva is good value. I insured with them for four years through A Plan and the premiums reduced each year at renewal, although I agree the excess at £700 seemed steep. I have checked round each year and not found anything better. On the subject of Admiral although the quote was very good they would not guarantee where the car would be repaired. This was put in writing by A Plan as my choice. I have now moved to Locktons as I have changed to a V12 and the deal is much better than Aviva for this car. Many of the benefits are outlined by jonby but an excess of only £250 is very good.