I thought that was exactly what he was saying, (between the lines) & then gave the solution.

"you are with the wrong insurers"

george

Yes, but I'm saying that ALL insurance companies are dishonest one way or another, and I don't see Sky being the exception to the rule just because they don't charge for adding winter wheels or specifying maxidot.

Maybe I'm just bitter because they wouldn't even give me a quote, despite my being 40 years old, having 8 years NCD, never having had the slightest trouble in my postcode, low yearly mileage, sensible family saloon, etc., etc.?

BTW George. Do you work for Sky Insurance?

I think the only option we have know is to inculde an option on our insurance paperwork that would give the poor, victimised, misunderstood and struggling insurance the right to sell our organs should we perish in a motorcar accident - maybe then premiums will be lower over the average driving "life" that the cost of a brand new car...

The same thing happens in the construction industry. Because of increase in litigations and everybody being ridiculously risk averse structural engineers year on year increase safety factors in their calcs resulting in structres so overdesigned they look ridiculously even to a layman...

Come on? Are you seriously saying your industry doesn't try and fleece the consumer for every available penny, for the most minor changes?

Try £30 admin charge for a change of phone number on the policy, or £50 admin charge for canceling the policy despite having paid the full premium up front? It's ridiculous and never-ending.

And what about the routine practice of sending out over-inflated renewal quotes in the hope that the consumer won't notice and simply hand you the extra wedge? Your industry is as dishonest as the feckless gits who falsely claim for personal injury, or fail to get insured in the first place.

I urge fellow Briskodians to take a look at this article:

http://www.guardian....nies-defraud-us

Now I must go for a lie down…

Whilst I appreciate I have opened myself up to this by posting on a general insurance industry related topic, you have to appreciate that I do not represent the UK insurance industry as a whole, I work for one very small fish in a large ocean.

If you have tried my company and we were unable to help you, I can only thank you for trying and apologise we were indeed unable to help you.

Also, for what it is worth, if you disagree with with charges made by the industry I work, in, I suggest you compare against other industries to see some balance, eg , I was once charged £200 for an acknowledgement letter from my solicitor.

Thanks for your comments.

Are You on a commission George?

I mustn't forget the briskoda sticker on my declaration as well as this is not factory fitted and a Proper Insurer will deem it have obstructed that most critical part of my back mirror vision and refuse the cover as I blatantly lied on my declaration, was imprecise and withheld information. Same goes with heated seats, floor mats, Bluetooth and other options as the model does not have them listed as a standard spec!

One more thing, I will also have to declare that while I driving I think about other things than driving, listen to radio stations requiring listener to concentrate on is being broadcasted in short my full and undivided attention and mental faculties are not in 100% concentrated on driving...

World really went crazy...

On continent cars are insured (that includes 3rd person damage), not people...

I've come across all sorts of reason why some insurers have voided a claim, from undisclosed remaps to undiclosed guide dogs for the blind stickers, I took the latter with a large pinch of salt but is the basis for my continued stance of, disclose everything, let your insurer do the rest. Simple as that really.

never having had the slightest trouble in my postcode,

Postcode restrictions are usually our downfall and the cause of negative feedback for us, what is the postcode?

Also, for what it is worth, if you disagree with with charges made by the industry I work, in, I suggest you compare against other industries to see some balance, eg , I was once charged £200 for an acknowledgement letter from my solicitor.

Thanks for your comments.

I wasn't talking about other industries, and the average consumer isn't forced to engage with the legal profession on a regular basis like we are with the insurance profession, but I see your point. Still doesn't mean your industry isn't taking the pi55 though

Postcode restrictions are usually our downfall and the cause of negative feedback for us, what is the postcode?

I'd rather not say on the pages of a public forum, but if you'd like to try and 'quote me happy' please send a PM

I wasn't talking about other industries, and the average consumer isn't forced to engage with the legal profession on a regular basis like we are with the insurance profession, but I see your point. Still doesn't mean your industry isn't taking the pi55 though

I'm not saying it is or isn't either, but it is comparable. Another good example is the criticism that insurers get with regards to policy refunds, people seems to forget they have entered into an annual contract, like most contracts, ending early isn't usually financially to your benefit. Whilst I do not agree with being financially penalised for ending a contract early, insurers aren't the only industry to do it.

I'd rather not say on the pages of a public forum, but if you'd like to try and 'quote me happy' please send a PM

No, it wasn't a case of wanting to re-quote you, if you've tried recently and we have not been able to help, it is unlikely that anything has changed but as I say, postcode is our usual downfall, I'd only need the first couple of digits, eg 'BD' Bradford.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by SkyInsurance

Yes, but I'm saying that ALL insurance companies are dishonest one way or another, and I don't see Sky being the exception to the rule just because they don't charge for adding winter wheels or specifying maxidot.

Maybe I'm just bitter because they wouldn't even give me a quote, despite my being 40 years old, having 8 years NCD, never having had the slightest trouble in my postcode, low yearly mileage, sensible family saloon, etc., etc.?

BTW George. Do you work for Sky Insurance?

Pretty sweeping statement that you imply all insurance co's are dishonest!!

They have to work under the control of an ombudsman like any other financial service.

They are a business like any other - if you don't like how they operate take your business elsewhere. It is a free market and therefore IF all ins co's are dishonest there has to be a marketing opportunity for someone to start up an honest one!!!

I used to work for NFU Mutual and therefore think I understand how it works - The insurance co bases the risk on the facts know to it and sets the premium accordingly. If it has not been made of all of the requested facts (i.e. - does your car have any modifications from standard spec) then it cannot set the appropriate premium and YOU, the car owner, is the one who is fraudulent.

By the way NFU Mutual do do charge to change contact details and have a real person you can walk into an office to speak to. When I renewed my insurance they were slightly move expensive that the cheapest on-line quote but do not charge high interest for paying monthly (therefore cheaper over the year).

Ex colleagues - please pass on my honestly earned commission later.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by slider

Just so we're all aware, should we - the motorists - be listing absolutely everything about our cars when we get a quote?

So if we start at the front, my car has a number plate, which is held on via screws (and these have little white caps on them). Behind that, is my front bumper, which is red, with black plastic rub strips, and the bumper has some thick plastic mesh along the bottom holes. Next I have a grille, which has black plastic slats inside a red frame, inside a chrome frame, and houses a round Skoda badge (~70mm, I think) and a vRS badge on the black plastic bit. It has a red bonnet. It has a red wing either side, with a clear-plastic side repeater. Within the arches either side are 17" Skoda alloy wheels, that have rubber tyres on them. These are held on via 4x Skoda wheelbolts and 1x anti-theft wheel bolt each side. On top of these bolts are grey plastic covers, 4x normal and 1x anti-theft each side. Each wheel has a 55mm Skoda badge in the centre. At the back of the wings, are mudflaps; 1 each side....

To be blunt, it isn't exactly rocket science.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by SkyInsurance

The one thing that winds me up is having to do the annual ring round to get a better quote to beat my current insurers down with, here is a novel concept give me your best quote in the first place.

Paul

Babs, I started reading and found out what causes the high insurance. The vRS badge...

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The one thing that winds me up is having to do the annual ring round to get a better quote to beat my current insurers down with, here is a novel concept give me your best quote in the first place.

Paul

Exactly

The one thing that winds me up is having to do the annual ring round to get a better quote to beat my current insurers down with, here is a novel concept give me your best quote in the first place.

Paul

That I fully agree with - Insurance co's may have no claims discounts but the certainly have no loyalty discount. I suppose it's the same as electricity, mobiles etc. They all seem to spend a great deal trying to get new customers by discounting the initial premium then hoping you won't notice when the push this up the next year. Surely it must be better in the long term to retain existing customers first!!

Also, for what it is worth, if you disagree with with charges made by the industry I work, in, I suggest you compare against other industries to see some balance, eg , I was once charged £200 for an acknowledgement letter from my solicitor.

Not having a dig at you, but if you go see how much blood sweat and tears for the people to get into that position you can understand why charging £200 is acceptable, why they charge per 6 minutes etc. The missus is aiming for a job in law but the amount of hurdles which she needs to jump through compared to say what im going for (electrical engineer), its really a walk in a park comparatively. By no means I am saying engineering is an 'easy' profession to get into either compare to the likes of PA/admin. In the end you could always say don't hate the player hate the game, but it doesn't justify the personal choice of being on the darker side of grey.

But coming back to the point, I concur that insurance are charging stupid amounts for admin work etc. basically trying to rip a new hole wherever they can because they have little regulations.

The one thing that winds me up is having to do the annual ring round to get a better quote to beat my current insurers down with, here is a novel concept give me your best quote in the first place.

Paul

Yes! And phone contracts! Its a standard to squeeze every penny they can get, it is your sole responsibility find and haggle for the cheapest deal because we are going to rip you a new one if you dont.

In other professions its very mature in a sense that it is what it is, we take % profit (give or take). There is a set standard.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by JLneonhug

Babs, I started reading and found out what causes the high insurance. The vRS badge...

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Easy solution just take it off and declare it as removed. Job done!

If this change is indeed widespread, I can see it causing issues for the general motorist, particularly when buying 2nd hand.

As I see it, it's then down to them to compare the standard specification of a vehicle that could be 5-10yrs old as an average example. They would need to know what the original factory spec was for that model, and also find out if any options were fitted. Not as easy as it sounds.

Being realistic and looking at this change objectively, it doesn't seem to be of any benefit to the purchaser of the insurance policy, whilst being advantageous to the insurer.

Just want ask you guys what do you think should happen (mod no mod? Declare, not declare?) with Skoda equipment option of lowered springs. I spoke to the dealer and he said that should not be declared as this is not a modification to the car but additional equipment. To be fair when you do not declare it you should not expect to have it replaced in case of a write off.

I think it should be declared as part of optional equipment, not a mod and should attract any additional premiums.

What do you think?

You are aware that on most policies, if you declare a mod, then it's not replaced as a mod, just back to standard if you have an accident.

Insurers need to know about all material facts which could influence an underwriting decision, this includes disclosing both aftermarket and optional extras. Common sense does apply though but if you are unsure, disclose everything and let your insurer do the rest. If there is any confusion over what is standard/factory fit/optional extras then an engineers report will clear this up.

With regards to prices going up, with respect, that is a sweeping and incorrect statement, if you are seeing premium increases for anything you mention above, you are with the wrong insurers.

Common sense needs to prevail though, the trouble is, some people have none hence why the blanket 'disclose everything and let your insurer do the rest' statement covers all.

I do agree that common sense is needed, but that's from both side.

No I don't pay extra for the above, but I have had to push it to underwriters before to get winter wheels/tyres not charged.

It took a few minutes to explain to the underwriter that I was putting steels in place of alloy and winter tyres reduced my chance of an accident so it was bonkers to put the price up.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

my policy went up last month because SWMBO has changed jobs but a named driver on my policy. She now uses her car for work but not insured to use mine for work yet my policy increased more than hers did!! yet her annual mileage will now be around 1000miles per year (personal and business)

Go figure!!

my policy went up last month because SWMBO has changed jobs but a named driver on my policy. She now uses her car for work but not insured to use mine for work yet my policy increased more than hers did!! yet her annual mileage will now be around 1000miles per year (personal and business)

Go figure!!

Learn how much policy cancellation admin fee is, if you had no claims under your current policy they will have to give you back a proportionate amount of premium you did not use I.e. if on 6 months on the policy then they will give you back 50% of your premium less admin. If the admin charge is less than the increase and you can find a better quote the that is a no brainier, isn't it?

Whilst I appreciate I have opened myself up to this by posting on a general insurance industry related topic, you have to appreciate that I do not represent the UK insurance industry as a whole, I work for one very small fish in a large ocean.

If you have tried my company and we were unable to help you, I can only thank you for trying and apologise we were indeed unable to help you.

Also, for what it is worth, if you disagree with with charges made by the industry I work, in, I suggest you compare against other industries to see some balance, eg , I was once charged £200 for an acknowledgement letter from my solicitor.

Thanks for your comments.

£200 solicitor fee, required Years of study to get good grades, then 3 years of uni, then a solicitor or bar course, then 2 years training or 1 years pupilage.

Once you've done that you've got to find a company/chambers that will take you on.

When you do you can do all the work, but forget being paid most of what you earn (if you're a barrister) in the first 3-5 years.

Also don't forget that you pay £200 for a letter, but they've got the expertise to write the correct letter in the correct form that says everything the court needs.

That £200 will be including their business costs, VAT the lot and they won't see all of that £200.

To get started in Law, you're basically having to borrow a bucket load of cash for 10 years. It's not unreasonable to ask for some pay back on that.

Especially since you can be sued and your career over if you get it wrong.

Imagine if an insurance company was put out of business if they gave bad advice? No not happening is it?

Try 5 years at uni and then 2 years training during which you get paid less than what you could earn making coffee in star bucks.....

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I think people are going a bit OT.

If you buy a send/third hand car, then you'll likely get away without knowing what was original spec and what has been added by previous owners.

But if you've had the car since new, then you'll be on a really sticky wicket if they find you've added something beyond the basic spec (factory, dealer or otherwise) and fail to declare it.

This is how I've taken their stance. The main one for me was disclosing points and any accidents on other policies AS SOON as they occur, and not as most of us do and wait until next renewal! First time I've known an insurer i've used insist on this.

That I fully agree with - Insurance co's may have no claims discounts but the certainly have no loyalty discount. I suppose it's the same as electricity, mobiles etc. They all seem to spend a great deal trying to get new customers by discounting the initial premium then hoping you won't notice when the push this up the next year. Surely it must be better in the long term to retain existing customers first!!

Nothing new there. My Father worked in insurance 25yr ago and even then 'new business' was everything. There was no incentive for the sales guys to retain existing customers.

As for people accepting crap renewals, they do it all the time so it's sound business to discount new customers. though I'd argue that customers who seek out discounted deals are the least likely to accept the renewal.