Is it ok to 'play' with car insurance comparison websites?

[Shuvi McTupya]

I am sure it is fine but just thought I would check.

Basically I want to get some quotes but i am also interested to see how much the quotes are affected by things like criminal convictions and post codes and lack of offstreet parking etc etc but I don't want the insurance company to think I am just putting in random info to defraud them.

I would only accept a quote that was based on fact..

[elanfan]

I'm not sure how clever their systems are and how much data they store about you for the future. If I were you I'd use the correct postcode but a made up name. They will probably record the quotes against your email address so you need a dummy or throwaway email address too. When you find the best combination then do a mirror quote using your correct details

[anonymous-user]

Many quotes do a basic credit check so using the wrong name won't give you a truly accurate quote, but should give you an idea.

[meehaja]

I put my Tin foil hat on, turn cookies off, search by a neighbours address and spell my name differently.

[Shuvi McTupya]

meehaja said:

I put my Tin foil hat on, turn cookies off, search by a neighbours address and spell my name differently.

Ta! i will see how far I get doing that ..if I can figure out how to turn cookies off and the web site still works with them turned off..

[zygalski]

Be careful doing this.
Getting multiple quotes is recorded and is called quote manipulation.
Most insurance companies would investigate if you get various quotes and take a policy out on one of the lower ones.

[Alucidnation]

Quote manipulation?

Not heard that before.

Anyway, the OP wants to get lower quotes with certain criteria, so as long as the real this is genuine, cant see an issue.

[Turn7]

zygalski said:

Be careful doing this.
Getting multiple quotes is recorded and is called quote manipulation.
Most insurance companies would investigate if you get various quotes and take a policy out on one of the lower ones.

Is that not whats called shopping around?

[zygalski]

Turn7 said:

zygalski said:

Be careful doing this.
Getting multiple quotes is recorded and is called quote manipulation.
Most insurance companies would investigate if you get various quotes and take a policy out on one of the lower ones.

Is that not whats called shopping around?

Multiple quotes from the same insurer I meant, changing criteria such as purpose of use, mileage, convictions etc.

[LeoSayer]

zygalski said:

Be careful doing this.
Getting multiple quotes is recorded and is called quote manipulation.
Most insurance companies would investigate if you get various quotes and take a policy out on one of the lower ones.

Sure, but as long as your policy is based on the truth then what's the issue?

[zygalski]

LeoSayer said:

zygalski said:

Be careful doing this.
Getting multiple quotes is recorded and is called quote manipulation.
Most insurance companies would investigate if you get various quotes and take a policy out on one of the lower ones.

Sure, but as long as your policy is based on the truth then what's the issue?

True.
But why would anyone put in quotes for things that would raise your annual premium (that are inaccurate) & then later quotes which adjust it downwards in cost which are the truthful ones?

[Uncle John]

It's fine, do it all the time when my insurance is up.

I've also worked for one of the comparison sites so know how they work.

[Shuvi McTupya]

Ok, i think I will hold off on doing this..I also wanted to try it with different cars and stuff!

I just did a google search for 'anonymous insurance quotes' and it seems you can do it in some countries but not the UK.

[C&C]

zygalski said:

True.
But why would anyone put in quotes for things that would raise your annual premium (that are inaccurate) & then later quotes which adjust it downwards in cost which are the truthful ones?

Maybe experimenting on whether to put the wife on the policy or not, see whether on-street or off street parking makes a difference (for example if parked on street, not necessarily outside your own house, maybe harder for potential thieves to work out which house to break into for the keys) etc.. If taking out the cheaper option, you could park it accordingly.

[Shuvi McTupya]

Also, I am looking at a non motoring conviction in the near future and thought I would try and do some research to see which insurance companies would be best , or whether I should just sell the car before the tax and mot runs out!

Edited by Shuvi McTupya on Saturday 20th May 12:48

[anonymous-user]

I presume the OP is wanting to do this out of curiosity to see if he can build up a better understanding of how insurers rate different risks.

I'd say it would be very difficult to do in any meaningful way.

I worked for a broker in the 90s and during quiet times we would have a competition to see who could get the highest quote out of the system. You would 'lose' when the system refused to quote so we would all have an hour to have to print off our best effort, with the winner getting a free round.

The best was just over 20k.

Would a comparison site even allow something like criminal convictions now?

[Turn7]

Shuvi McTupya said:

Ok, i think I will hold off on doing this..I also wanted to try it with different cars and stuff!

I just did a google search for 'anonymous insurance quotes' and it seems you can do it in some countries but not the UK.

I always use at least one Comparison using Mike Mouse or similar and next doors house number, gives me an idea how much my current insurer is trying to shaft me with their "loyal customer special discount auto renewal" rip off...

[alorotom]

Yeah I did something similar a good few years ago now for the difference between a clean licence and a one with points as I was awaiting a ticket after going through a speed camera.

When I took the policy out I had to undertake a conference call between Admiral and DVLA who confirmed with the insurer that my licence was indeed clean as ty said they could see the multiple quotes and points differences being declared

[55palfers]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Me too. Passes a bit of time.
So long as actual insurance is correct, who cares.

[Alucidnation]

alorotom said:

When I took the policy out I had to undertake a conference call between Admiral and DVLA who confirmed with the insurer that my licence was indeed clean as ty said they could see the multiple quotes and points differences being declared

If I was informed I had to do that, I would be looking to a different insurer.

Admiral are shyte and would never get my money.