Realistically how important is NCB?

[Grimezy93]

I'm looking at buying an E36 318ti sport compact but my current insurers (LV) have said that they can't insure me as I'm too young (I'm 20 with 2 years NCB, will have been driving for 3 years when I turn 21 in July).

I find this a bit annoying seeing as it's not exactly a drag car and I have over 2 years of proven experience with the company to the point where I'm paying £650/year for my Punto at the moment.

On comparison, Admiral and a couple of other companies will insure me for £800-£850 on the beamer and LV have said they will let me cancel my policy with them free of charge as it's their fault they can't insure me. So basically it's going to mean changing insurers mid-way through an insurance year and losing my NCB for that period.

My question is, how important is it for me to stick with LV and get up to 3 years NCB? My dad says it's pointless as if Admiral are already quoting me a cheap price I should just scrap LV off and go with Admiral. My gut is telling me I should wait it out and then I'll have 3 years NCB at the age of 21 which should give me a bit of flexibility.

I really am desperate for a new car and am sick to death of my Punto and its niggly problems yet I don't want to screw up my insurance based on a quarter-life crisis. Just looking for advice really, do you think there's anything I could say to LV to make them consider me? Perhaps if I spoke to a supervisor or something? (can't believe I'm offering to beg with them).

[otolith]

Defer gratification.

[DanGPR]

At 21 with 1 years no claims I had a 350z, insurance was under 1200 quid.

I have a clio 200 now, no ncb and it's costing under 700. (22)

No claims is not the be all and end all of insurance costs.

[Bullett]

Take the cheaper quote (for the BMW).
You will still have 2 years NCB and in a year it will be 3. You've lost 6 months.

[J4CKO]

I think the main thing is the price, I would rather pay £500 with zero NCD than £1000 with another company with full NCD.

I put my no claims bonus on our C1, I then bought my 944 which was insured as a classic for £175 with the limitations that brings, I assumed that without available discount to use I would have to stick to classic policies but did some quotes for a new policy starting from scratch and the usual Roadster suspects were all about £300 a year for me (With legal cover), if I applied my bonus to the quote they came down to nearer £230 so realitically not a huge difference in price as both are pretty low.

Some companies were dearer with bonus than some without so I have got less bothered about NCD as long as I get decent cover at a reasonable price.

[STW2010]

Maybe think about what other car you can get with 3 years NCB. A 318 compact is hardly going to set the world alight (it's not a crap car though), and you might be able to get something a little more interesting in 6 months time.

[STW2010]

I STRONGLY advise against insuring with Admiral.

They are useless when it comes to making a claim, which is invariably when you find out how good an insurance company is.

[Grimezy93]

Thanks for the advice, I assumed this might be the general consensus. I agree that I could look at what I could afford with 3 years NCB at 21 but I am quite liking the idea of the 318 as it's enough of a 'banger' to not massively worry about it getting forced into bushes down the country lanes on the way to work by tractors but a good enough step into the RWD world to get to grips with it.

Obviously coming from a 60bhp punto I don't want too big of a step up otherwise I'll end up in a hedge but at the same time I don't want to be going for something like a 1.6 Astra which will feel a bit dull..

[STW2010]

Grimezy93 said:

Obviously coming from a 60bhp punto I don't want too big of a step up otherwise I'll end up in a hedge but at the same time I don't want to be going for something like a 1.6 Astra which will feel a bit dull..

I sold my RX8 and seemingly lost the will, and bought a 1.6 Astra to get to work. Dull isn't quite the word.

I wouldn't worry about the step up. The car only goes as fast as you drive it, so as long as you don't use the accelerator as an on-off switch you'll be fine.

[Grimezy93]

Haha I know what you mean! My issue is I've driven my Punto pretty much to its maximum limit (just because it's so gutless) for 2 years that I'm afraid of traits carrying over to a quicker car. I need something fairly economical for weekly/fortnightly trips as well and the 140bhp seems to fit the bill when required (heard 40mpg is expected on a run).

I'll note your comment about Admiral though and perhaps pay a tad more to go with somebody else if I can!

[STW2010]

Have you run the quotes with coupe, saloons and compact versions? The saloons may be the cheapest to insure, meaning that you can go a bit more powerful. Or stick to a 318 saloon and pay less for the pleasure.

My 330 is capable of 34 mpg on a motorway run, so I'm sure that whatever you go for in the 4 cylinder range would be fine for high 30s.

Bit of straight six action? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Edited by STW2010 on Tuesday 5th November 17:32

[steelej]

STW2010 said:

I STRONGLY advise against insuring with Admiral.

They are useless when it comes to making a claim, which is invariably when you find out how good an insurance company is.

Not had a problem claiming with them.

John.

[Northernchimp]

Grimezy93 said:

Haha I know what you mean! My issue is I've driven my Punto pretty much to its maximum limit (just because it's so gutless) for 2 years that I'm afraid of traits carrying over to a quicker car.

After about 3 hours, it won't feel quick anymore and you'll be driving that flat out as well, just beware RWD if you're running old tyres in the wet/damp.

I've never had a car that I didn't flog once I was used to it, whether it be a 70HP Polo or a TVR.

[Paul671]

STW2010 said:

I STRONGLY advise against insuring with Admiral.

They are useless when it comes to making a claim, which is invariably when you find out how good an insurance company is.

I appreciate your experiences may differ, but I have made a claim with Admiral before and it was very quick and easy.
One phone call and I was in a hire car by the end of the day and received my cheque by the end of the week, couldn't fault them.

[anonymous-user]

If you do join Admiral, make sure you tick every box saying don't contact you. Otherwise you'll be plagued with calls offering every useless add-on they can dream up...

[STW2010]

I don't wish to derail a thread with my experience, but it was not that easy at all. I was not at fault, yet the way they handled the claim was absolutely shocking. That aside, once the 'investigation' was completed some 2 months later they then managed to make the repair/write-off process proper retarded. Eventually they pulled their finger out and suggested a value, which was laughable. At this stage they told me the buy-back percentages, so I based my value negotiation on that (i.e. how much I would pocket). When the valuation came up to sensible territory I accepted the offer knowing how much I could buy the car back for and how much would pocket- at this stage Admiral decided to increase the percentage, so essentially ripping me off. A complaint reversed that stupidity.

Oh, and whilst that was on-going I went on holiday in the car (it was perfectly drive-able). I called them to get an update where I was informed that my insurance was cancelled as of that evening- WTF?? This was completely unexpected and they made no effort to contact me to let me know about that.

Absolute bunch of s. You really do get what you pay for.

[Grimezy93]

So I suppose what you're saying is if I go with Admiral... don't have an accident?

[CallorFold]

Personally, if it was me, I'd get the third year.

I've always found NCB makes a big difference as a young(ish) driver

[STW2010]

Indeed, just don't have an accident at all. But you can't avoid the other idiots on the road all the times.

Your insurance will hopefully drop a bit once you turn 21 too.