Car Insurance - E-Sure, Elephant or Bell
Discussion
Three best quotes on that comparison site - anyone have any good/bad experiences with any of these which may be worth knowing before I take out the cover?
And by god has car insurance gone up!! Last year it cost me £680 to cover a £20k 3.2 Audi TT, this year it looks like £800 to cover a £4k 1.9tdi Audi A6!!!
And by god has car insurance gone up!! Last year it cost me £680 to cover a £20k 3.2 Audi TT, this year it looks like £800 to cover a £4k 1.9tdi Audi A6!!!
I've been insured by Bell for the last 8 years, and have never had any problems. Mind you, I've no idea what they're like if you do have a bump since [touch wood] I've managed not to hit anything so far.
I like the fact that they have a UK call cantre (somewhere in Wales I think) which seems far better at understanding my Scottish accent than these call centres half a world away. They've always been very helpful when I've phoned them.
Try getting a quote directly from their own site - it might be cheaper than via a comparison one. then again, insurance costs seem to be a law unto themselves.
I like the fact that they have a UK call cantre (somewhere in Wales I think) which seems far better at understanding my Scottish accent than these call centres half a world away. They've always been very helpful when I've phoned them.
Try getting a quote directly from their own site - it might be cheaper than via a comparison one. then again, insurance costs seem to be a law unto themselves.
therealpigdog said:
Three best quotes on that comparison site - anyone have any good/bad experiences with any of these which may be worth knowing before I take out the cover?
Elephant and Bell are part of the same company, as is Admiral (might be worth checking them out). I've been with Elephant for a while: charges if you change address etc. but not too much(£20ish), never had to claim, when I rang to enquire about cancelling (selling the car) 5 months in they offered a little less than half of my money back (including fees).Sometimes you get an Indian call centre, sometimes one in Wales, I used to think it depended on the time of day but now it seems to be random.
I've been with Bell for about 5 or 6 years on their 10 months cover/1 yrs NCB plan. Had to make a claim 2 years ago when someone ran into me on a roundabout and they were very helpful, although the claim still isn't resolved (although that is more down to the other insurers more than anything else).
As said above, I like the fact they have UK call centres (used to have a Canadian centre as well) plus they have always given me the best price, although they are not immune to the usualy insurance company trick of bumping up your renewal for no good reason - easy enough to talk them back down again.
As said above, I like the fact they have UK call centres (used to have a Canadian centre as well) plus they have always given me the best price, although they are not immune to the usualy insurance company trick of bumping up your renewal for no good reason - easy enough to talk them back down again.
Swapped between Admiral and Bell for years as they were always the cheapest. They blew it this year - premium up from £430 to £580 and were only able to bring it down to £480 when challenged. Guy on the phone reckoned they'd lost loads of customers due to price.
Went to Direct Line for £430. They have never been in the running before but came in trumps this time. Axa were also cheap. 2 year old TTS if that helps.
Went to Direct Line for £430. They have never been in the running before but came in trumps this time. Axa were also cheap. 2 year old TTS if that helps.
therealpigdog said:
Thanks for the advice. Been with Admiral for a while, but they are about £200 off the mark, so can't really justify staying unless there are horror stories on these three.
Admiral, Elephant and Bell are run from the same office. Changing between them will make no practical difference, but if you want to stay with the same company then phone them up and they will match the quote.Gren said:
Swapped between Admiral and Bell for years as they were always the cheapest. They blew it this year - premium up from £430 to £580 and were only able to bring it down to £480 when challenged. Guy on the phone reckoned they'd lost loads of customers due to price.
^^ Re: price... my premium with Elephant went up 49% year-on-year (same car, address, etc) this year and I was offered an 8% discount (!) on the phone to stay with them, so they're definately more expensive than they used to be.If Elephant/Bell/Admiral can't/won't compete on price, I really don't see the point in them existing. Ok they are polite, etc but they're hardly a "premium" insurer, are they?
FamilyDub said:
^^ Re: price... my premium with Elephant went up 49% year-on-year (same car, address, etc) this year and I was offered an 8% discount (!) on the phone to stay with them, so they're definately more expensive than they used to be.
If Elephant/Bell/Admiral can't/won't compete on price, I really don't see the point in them existing. Ok they are polite, etc but they're hardly a "premium" insurer, are they?
Obviously don't forget that just because they aren't competative for your risk profile doesn't mean they aren't hugely competative for other profiles.If Elephant/Bell/Admiral can't/won't compete on price, I really don't see the point in them existing. Ok they are polite, etc but they're hardly a "premium" insurer, are they?
CurvaParabolica said:
As said above, I like the fact they have UK call centres (used to have a Canadian centre as well) plus they have always given me the best price, although they are not immune to the usualy insurance company trick of bumping up your renewal for no good reason - easy enough to talk them back down again.
They still have the Canadian call centre, was on to them last week!Gren said:
Swapped between Admiral and Bell for years as they were always the cheapest. They blew it this year - premium up from £430 to £580 and were only able to bring it down to £480 when challenged. Guy on the phone reckoned they'd lost loads of customers due to price.
Went to Direct Line for £430. They have never been in the running before but came in trumps this time. Axa were also cheap. 2 year old TTS if that helps.
Subjective really, considering the guy on the phone works in a department that specifically deals in cancellations he is likely to be dealing with cancelled (sp?) policy on every other call, however it's a different story when you wander over to the new business department Went to Direct Line for £430. They have never been in the running before but came in trumps this time. Axa were also cheap. 2 year old TTS if that helps.
.Edited by ZOLLAR on Monday 8th August 15:28
DanielJames said:
CurvaParabolica said:
As said above, I like the fact they have UK call centres (used to have a Canadian centre as well) plus they have always given me the best price, although they are not immune to the usualy insurance company trick of bumping up your renewal for no good reason - easy enough to talk them back down again.
They still have the Canadian call centre, was on to them last week!Come on, be fair, Admiral have a massive new building to be constructed on a lovely piece of prime city centre expensive greenery that will remove an open area and destroy the view - someone has to pay for it. Still, it will mean I can leave the current building without choking on cigarette smoke.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff