Goodbye direct Line... Hello Locktons
Discussion
Since day one of owning my V8V I have insured it with Direct line, all my work vans are also insured with them and thought I was getting a good deal with a multi car discount etc....
And having had one claim 2 years or so ago when my car got vandalised
, when this happened they wanted to use their approved paint shop, I dug in and insisted that I use one that I knew and had used in the past.. I got my own way, but they nailed the garage down so much on price that an improper job was done, car could not have been prepped properly or rubbed down properly as only 2 years on I have blistering around the door handles... Any way that's another gripe...
I recently dropped the car in at Trinity Engineering to have a few bits looked at, one of which was to replace the windscreen, I contacted Direct Line to ask that a screen be fitted by them.... Direct line refused to help saying they would only pay the 1st £200-00 and I would have to foot the rest ether that or it had to be done by Auto glass.... Well I have had auto glass fit windscreens to the vans in the past and been less than pleased, even on the work donkies... So would I trust them with my Aston.. Not likely!!!! Well Tim from trinity even agreed to allow them to fit the screen on site under supervision... They refused.. When I contacted Auto glass they said that it would have to go to a depot to be done, Why?? I have had a screen fitted to the jumbo transit by a mobile guy on his own? is the Aston screen bigger? Heavier? no...
So nothing short of losing half a day of my time at an auto glass depot, watching my car get handled by people I have not chosen to do the work doesn't go well for me...
It seems that Direct line make decisions that have no benefit to a customers requirements...
On recommendation I contacted Locktons Insurance, OMG not only have I just shaved £683-00 off the cost of the policy with direct line, which was £1332-00 per annum... I can choose my own preferred repairer in the event of any claim, which Trinity is one of their approved ones, so that's a huge relief for me.... They also cover for track day use etc....
Cannot believe I have been such a moron staying with Direct Line... So if any of you are with direct line, call Locktons and see the difference in cost...
And having had one claim 2 years or so ago when my car got vandalised
, when this happened they wanted to use their approved paint shop, I dug in and insisted that I use one that I knew and had used in the past.. I got my own way, but they nailed the garage down so much on price that an improper job was done, car could not have been prepped properly or rubbed down properly as only 2 years on I have blistering around the door handles... Any way that's another gripe...I recently dropped the car in at Trinity Engineering to have a few bits looked at, one of which was to replace the windscreen, I contacted Direct Line to ask that a screen be fitted by them.... Direct line refused to help saying they would only pay the 1st £200-00 and I would have to foot the rest ether that or it had to be done by Auto glass.... Well I have had auto glass fit windscreens to the vans in the past and been less than pleased, even on the work donkies... So would I trust them with my Aston.. Not likely!!!! Well Tim from trinity even agreed to allow them to fit the screen on site under supervision... They refused.. When I contacted Auto glass they said that it would have to go to a depot to be done, Why?? I have had a screen fitted to the jumbo transit by a mobile guy on his own? is the Aston screen bigger? Heavier? no...
So nothing short of losing half a day of my time at an auto glass depot, watching my car get handled by people I have not chosen to do the work doesn't go well for me...
It seems that Direct line make decisions that have no benefit to a customers requirements...
On recommendation I contacted Locktons Insurance, OMG not only have I just shaved £683-00 off the cost of the policy with direct line, which was £1332-00 per annum... I can choose my own preferred repairer in the event of any claim, which Trinity is one of their approved ones, so that's a huge relief for me.... They also cover for track day use etc....
Cannot believe I have been such a moron staying with Direct Line... So if any of you are with direct line, call Locktons and see the difference in cost...
I use locktons too. Haven't had to claim , but all my interactions with them have been professional and painless. They also adapted my policy for one-off track day use at Spa at no additional charge.
I have had slightly cheaper quotes but wouldn't change to anyone else for the reasons you state, peace of mind!!
I have had slightly cheaper quotes but wouldn't change to anyone else for the reasons you state, peace of mind!!
avinalarf said:
Hi Paul,Locktons are recommended by AMOC ,are you a member ?
Steve, I'm not a member but they give you free membership when you insure with them.... Kris, I don't think they will be put off my mileage... I still reckon they will be competitive..I'm just glad I gave them a call.... Nearly £700-00 in pocket... Not to mention that I can relax a bit on track days
I insured one of my cars with Direct Line and my home and contents both up until last week. I'm saving 70% 0n my house cover and 30% on the car by leaving DI, I called them on both to give them a chance, they just were plainly not interested in saving my business. I'd had the house and contents with them for 30+ years.
cjb1 said:
I insured one of my cars with Direct Line and my home and contents both up until last week. I'm saving 70% 0n my house cover and 30% on the car by leaving DI, I called them on both to give them a chance, they just were plainly not interested in saving my business. I'd had the house and contents with them for 30+ years.
They really don't care.... I am also now going to start looking at other options for the vans and the house.... If you take into account the £1332-00 they just lost in business from me for the Aston, now add the £3000-00 approx for van insurance policies add to that the house insurance, they have effectively just lost around £5K... And for what?? They wouldn't budge on who fitted my windscreen, which prompted me to look elsewhere....... And that's just me.... avinalarf said:
sukh_m said:
What are locktons like with younger drivers?
Always had massively inflated quotes from other insurers other than Admiral (been with them for years).
Why do you ask ?Always had massively inflated quotes from other insurers other than Admiral (been with them for years).
Do you know any younger drivers then ?
I've always assumed DL would be more expensive as they refuse to compete on comparison sites.
When moving from a Caterham to the V8V, the best I got from Flux was over £700.
Comparison sites were £400+
However, adding it to our Admiral multi-car (which we setup for SWMBO's car in order to allow 5 drivers) only cost £224
Probably not as good cover/flexibility as Locktons, though.
When moving from a Caterham to the V8V, the best I got from Flux was over £700.
Comparison sites were £400+
However, adding it to our Admiral multi-car (which we setup for SWMBO's car in order to allow 5 drivers) only cost £224
Probably not as good cover/flexibility as Locktons, though.
Just moved a multicar policy from Aviva to Admiral, Aviva renewal £2.9k, paid Admiral less than £1.8k includes £600 for the V12V, a 19yr old in a C1 and a couple of other DD's. Don't understand how two mainstream insurers can assess risk and therefore cost so differently. 1,100 quid for an evenings work on the internet - even better return than lap dancing (so I'm told).
I was with Admiral on a multicar policy and was going to add the Aston to it but couldn't get comfortable with how they would deal with an accident in the Aston. Verbally they told me I could take to a repairer of my choice but wouldn't put it in writing as I did not feel it was sufficiently covered in the policy document so I stayed with with Lockton. Not sure I would have moved anyway as really pleased with the service Lockton provide.
No longer with Admiral because following a no fault accident when someone ran in the back of me (also an Admiral customer) they put my premium up by £300 at a time when premiums were meant to be falling. Apparently the covered cars ( a C class Merc and RRS) had both moved into higher risk categories - yeah of course they had. Anyway now with Aviva for the same price I paid last year.
No longer with Admiral because following a no fault accident when someone ran in the back of me (also an Admiral customer) they put my premium up by £300 at a time when premiums were meant to be falling. Apparently the covered cars ( a C class Merc and RRS) had both moved into higher risk categories - yeah of course they had. Anyway now with Aviva for the same price I paid last year.
IanV12VR said:
No longer with Admiral because following a no fault accident when someone ran in the back of me (also an Admiral customer) they put my premium up by £300 at a time when premiums were meant to be falling
Ian, this happened to me as well. Somebody ran into me and they put my premium up when it was non-fault 
Oh yes their excuse was: "your more likely to have an accident sir because you will be checking your rear-view mirror more often - due to the accident" All based on stats apparently, what a load of
sukh_m said:
Oh yes their excuse was: "your more likely to have an accident sir because you will be checking your rear-view mirror more often - due to the accident" All based on stats apparently, what a load of
I just wish they had been that honest with me. The sad thing is I was really impressed with how they dealt with the claim! Anyway, I am sure that when I renew next year they will offer me a very low quote to try and win my business back - and if it is low enough they probably will. Do not think when it comes to insurance loyalty pays.sukh_m said:
IanV12VR said:
No longer with Admiral because following a no fault accident when someone ran in the back of me (also an Admiral customer) they put my premium up by £300 at a time when premiums were meant to be falling
Ian, this happened to me as well. Somebody ran into me and they put my premium up when it was non-fault Oh yes their excuse was: "your more likely to have an accident sir because you will be checking your rear-view mirror more often - due to the accident" All based on stats apparently, what a load of
It's a lose lose......if you bump someone then you are the bad driver and are penalised, if someone hits you then their statistics say you are more likely to have an accident which I think is a load of b
ks!I have some cars due (AM included) with Admiral in April, looks like the stats will say 'goodbye admiral'
May try to put the cars on another multicar policy I have with Aviva - seem to recall they weren't too interested last year though.
I used both Admiral and Locktons during my DB9 ownership.
If nothing needed doing, I was happy with Admiral's price. If I required something doing, I would wish I had stayed with Locktons.
I wouldn't entertain Direct Line as there is strong empirical and quantifiable evidence to support the viewpoint that they are dog-poo.
Burntout, your original price was double what I was paying but I appreciate you are a heavy 'modder'
If nothing needed doing, I was happy with Admiral's price. If I required something doing, I would wish I had stayed with Locktons.
I wouldn't entertain Direct Line as there is strong empirical and quantifiable evidence to support the viewpoint that they are dog-poo.
Burntout, your original price was double what I was paying but I appreciate you are a heavy 'modder'
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