Which insurance company would you pick ?

[ExPat2B]

After a few years with my current insurance company, the inevitable has happened and have started to take the mick with their renewals.

6 cheapest companies for renewal ( beating my current quote by 50% ) are :

1st Central
The insurance Factory
KwikFit insurance
Swinton
Esure
Thames City.

Flux direct are also on the list but apparently they want photpgrahs of everything mailed to them and I can't be bothered with the hassle.

Now I don't want some complete idiots as my insurance company. Claims happen, and I don't want them making my life harder than needs be. I made the mistake of having Elephant as my insurance company once - never again.

The problem is that when I research these companies online, they are all lowest rating possible ( 1 out of 5 stars etc ) . However, I don't trust these ratings, my current insurer is also low rated and they sorted my claim out perfectly well and have been fine to deal with.

So is anyone with the above insurance companies and can reccomend them, having dealt with a claim ?

[beko1987]

I was with flux once and yes, if you dont send paperwork within 3 minutes of being asked they threaten to cancel the policy. Strangely they seem to think its ok for a 1st class letter to take 2 weeks to arrive...

Not had any experience with the others, but as long as you dont have cause to use them I imagine it will be relativley painless!

[long time lurker]

Cheaper prices mean poorer service.. Why not spend that little bit more and go for a company that is better rated? (which could save you lots of hassle later)

[DJP]

Based on experience, I'd avoid 1st Central.

I was with them 2 or 3 years ago. A few days from the end of my policy, they still hadn't sent my renewal through.

So I phoned them. Several times over several days. And no-one ever answered the phone.

They eventually sent the renewal about a week after the policy expired (and I'd insured with someone else).

If they're like that when you're trying to give them money, God knows what they're like when you're trying to claim.

Doesn't exactly fill me with confidence...

[rustyabarth]

Ive been with Chris Knott for the last few years and i cant recommend them highly enough.
Always brilliant service and ive swaped and changed cars a few times and they are more than helpful.

They offer good discounts for car club (see website for list) and will beat your best quote by 10% and often less excess.

[dave7692]

I'm with Swinton at the moment, not had any hassle getting the policy sorted, although I haven't had to claim either so I don't know what they'd be like in that scenario.

[nipsips]

They're brokers not company's Brokers are all well and good till you have an accident, non fault you get chucked to a credit hire company or if its fault you get chucked to your insurance company. Who depending on the company probably wont look after you.