Bennetts Insurance - Good or Bad?

[MattEMulsion]

It has come round to that time of year again where my insurance is due for renewal. I have done my research and price comparisons and for the first time ever in all the years, Bennetts are quoting me the lowest premium.

Now I realise that Bennetts don't get the best press, especially on BCF, but are they really that bad and one to avoid? Surely there must be some satisfied customers on here?

Thoughts...
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[Paxovasa]

As long as you don't need to make any changes to your policy after it has started you should be ok. Also check all the details of the policy is correct when you receive it.

I've used them in the past. I passed my test and got the bandit. I had a few month left on the 125 and when Ii phoned to cancel they I charged me £35. I was expecting to get money back, but I was wrong.
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[richrock]

I found them confusing - I phoned to get insurance, a good deal - just confusing. But I was an insurance n00b at that point. My first year was with supposed to be with Bennetts - but the letter came from Equity Red Star. Guess they are a broker, not the actual agent.

Also, I never received my insurance certificate, and it cost me a further £15 to get one as I'd "missed the time to report it" - well peeved at that. So make sure you get ALL the paperwork sent within 2 weeks (AFAIR).

Other than that, no problems with them from me, and happy to keep using them. Not had an accident, so no idea what claims are like.

I'll keep a mental note of the fees, as I'm planning to take my test soon. Maybe I should time it with my insurance policy to be safe.
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I has a motorbikes: Kawasaki GPZ500s (1999)- theory passed 12/06/12, test passed 10/07/12

[thx1138]

I cancelled a Bennetts policy, over the phone. They messed me about, and sent a string of increasingly snotty letters whilst I was on holiday. They then as a "goodwill gesture" dropped their charges. I shan't use them again, I'd kept them fully informed.

[neatbik]

Stay away.....

I took out a policy with Bennets, i sent them proof of my no claims history. I phoned them 3 days later to confirm they had received it.

A few weeks later i received a letter from them saying that as i had not sent in proof of my no claims history they had cancelled my insurance... 2 weeks before they sent out the letter!!

So i was riding for 2 weeks without any insurance. Twats.

They were at fault, but they still tried to charge me money. Lots of heated phone calls later and i got it all back, but i didnt get an apology.

My advice? Dont even bother going there..

[Charlie]

Stay away. Do a search on here you will see a lot of posts complaining about them
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[MattEMulsion]

[Al]

I've been with them a few years and not had any problems but then I've never actually made a claim. So I wouldn't really expect any problems when I'm basically just giving them money.

I was going to change last year and found a quote that was slightly cheaper but I've become so annoyed with insurance companies trying to sell me extra cover that I don't want and then getting really pushy, that now I just hang up if I have to tell them more then twice that I'm not interested. Hence I ended up staying with Bennetts. Although I'm sure they are just as bad when taking on new business.

I've never really heard anything good about any of the main bike insurers, MCE, Bennetts, ebike so I guess you've just got to go with the cheapest and hope for the best.
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Yamaha FZR400RR 3tj
My Instagram Thingy

[MattEMulsion]

Well I've been with MCE for two seperate twelve month policies over the years and not had any problems, and their reputation is not great especially on here.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[andys675]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjWd9a8Ck8U&feature=player_embedded#!


bennetts insurance?......INDIAN!

[ClockworkJesu...]

By Brother is with "Bike Devil" which is a subsidiary of MCE.
A short while ago, he was pulled by the cops for having no insurance. After explaining that he did have insurance, the Policeman made some calls; turns out that the insurance company had tried to register my bro's insurance with the MiD Database, it had failed and so they just never tried again.
Had to have the people from the MiD phone them up.

When I had my Scarabeo, I insured it (thinking it would work as a machine) with Bennetts. They were actually really good, and after I found the bike wouldn't work, I phoned up to switch my Policy. The Lady on the other end of the phone soon told me that Bennetts wouldn't be able to insure my Chinese 50cc 4T, and informed me that if I cancelled my insurance now, I'd get everything bar the cancellation fee back.

So I agreed. She cancelled my insurance and I got £160-or-so back into my account.

[Charlie]

[Raffles]

I have a mental ''blacklist'' of companies that have done me over and I will never use the services of those companies again, no matter how tempting the offer is. Bennetts is on that list.
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A good loser will always be a loser.

[ms51ves3]

Bennetts are no different to every other insurance company.

[mr-inteligent]

I have just gone with bennetts and I noticed that if i dont send my paperwork back within 2 weeks i get charged, i think hidden charges like that are not a good way to treat your customers.

[iooi]

[MattEMulsion]

[doggone]

Had a blazing row with Bennets on the phone as I was with them last time I changed the bike.
They said I had to cancel old policy and take out new one as old one was not as good price for new Yamaha.

I had about 4 months left on it so assumed even after their charge and % reduction in refund for remaining months I would have a bit towards new policy.
But the charge for cancelling came to an extra £18 or thereabouts even after they also confiscated my 4 unused months.

Never heard of such a thing in other types of insurance - greedy greedy greedy.

This meant I would've been better off to just leave defunct policy running and take out new one with someone else.

[Polarbear]

My wife was with Bennets, had an off, absolutly no problem with the claim. Fully paid to a mainstrean Suzuki dealer for every scratch and dent to be fixed with just the excess for her (me in reality) to pay.
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[Ericck]

Been with many different insurers, almost always go with the cheapest.

Been with Bennetts for the last few years as at renewal they have matched the best quote I can get. Also had a claim with them, non fault but had no problems.

To make a change to my van insurance with direct choice its £30 so they're no different.

As someone has already said most insurance is the same, mostly a bunch of sharks
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Current Bike: 2004 Suzuki Bandit 600S
Previous Bikes: Yamaha FS1E, Mobylette Moped Thingy, Suzuki GS125, Kawasaki Zephyr 550, Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Kawasaki ER500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Honda CBR600F, Triumph Street Triple 675, Suzuki V Strom 650, Suzuki Bandit 1200, Suzuki SV650N, Honda CB500F.

[Clanger]

I think all insurance companies are as bad as the next. They do anything to get more money out of you. Just lie about your job (office bound administrator is one of the lowest payouts), never change your address as they charge you, and never make any claims, and never cancel...just let it run through. You might just scrape through unscathed.

Oh yeah, and having oodles of years of no claims means diddly-squat to these scumbags.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Raffles]

[Quornholio]

[iooi]

[doggone]