Insurance companies - who not go with?

[djrikki]

Greetings

Got a payout for my smash from Devitt via AXA and looking to get a new bike.

Actually already sorted that but wondering which company to go with quote wise. Using gocompare the top listed price wise are :

Right Choice
Complete Bike Cover
Principal
Swinton

I know they are all good at taking your money but any experience good / bad of speaking to them about changes, claims etc

Thanks
____________________
CBF125 (Rusty Bin) -> CBR125R (WeeBR) -> Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F -> Suzuki GSXR750 L1 -> Suzuki GSXR750 L1 (Mark2)
CBT: 01/11/13 - Theory : 01/05/14 - Mod 1 : 11/05/14 - Mod 2 : 14/05/14 - Yam Div F : 16/05/14 - Gixxer : 02/04/2015-15/07/2015 RIP - GixxerMk2 : 16/08/2015

[MarkJ]

I was just with Devitt, had to cancel and go with someone else as they blank refused to quote me for new bike. I payed £180 for a years insurance, cancelled 3 months in and they are refunding me... nothing. £55 for cancellations and some weird descending %age repayment depending on how many months are left on the policy. Won't be using them again.

I also won't be using Bennetts again as they were a nightmare getting proof of no claims out of them, then having them send 3 separate copies through a month after I needed it.

Currently with Principal, seemed pretty good on the phone and were way cheaper than the other big names. Not had to change anything or make a claim, though, so can't comment on customer service.

[djrikki]

Thanks

I missed out Devitt cos thats who I just claimed and dont really want to push my luck with them.
____________________
CBF125 (Rusty Bin) -> CBR125R (WeeBR) -> Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F -> Suzuki GSXR750 L1 -> Suzuki GSXR750 L1 (Mark2)
CBT: 01/11/13 - Theory : 01/05/14 - Mod 1 : 11/05/14 - Mod 2 : 14/05/14 - Yam Div F : 16/05/14 - Gixxer : 02/04/2015-15/07/2015 RIP - GixxerMk2 : 16/08/2015

[MCN]

I have honestly not had too much evil things happen when with Bennetts.
The odd occasion when the person we spoke to gave the wrong info but a later call to a competent person sorted it.
I have used Hastings who were stupid about a non-fault claim I had as they wanted to load my policy.
I had a full day of chasing to sort that out. But they were the cheapest for my classic bikes.

Worst Prize (for my experience) is MCE

Cheap.
Do not respond to emails
Do not respond to emails.
repeat above several times.
They expected me to pay £35 for error correction on a new policy when I call to point out the mistakes THEY had included on the statement of fact
I had to email moneysupermarket and their IT bods sorted it.

MCE emailed me to say, As a 'goodwill' gesture we have waived the change of policy charge this time."
Cheeky Bastirts..
I just waived ever insuring with them after that.

I feel with most of them it is like anything else today. It depends on the person you speak to and 'how they feel in general'. Maybe the lassie is on on her period, the laddie's football team has been kicked out of EFA CUP semi or such like.
It has nothing much to do with Company Policy.
The folk you speak to on the phone will 'sometimes' just tell you anything.
They are not underwriters. They are 'customer service call centre workers'.

And the many, many, brokers all sell insurance policies for the same few insurers.

[Minty]

You appear to have been paid out in a timely manner - so why not stay with devitt?
____________________
My fingers smell of your mum.

[djrikki]

[diesel dog]

Anyone else had there's drastically increase this year? I was paying £112 last year and this year (end of Aug) quotes are getting to £200/250+ Bennetts (who I'm with now) wanted of £350. I feel sore ....

I think with most companies there only as good as the claims handler your dealing with. I can't say that over the years any have stuck out as there all in the game to take and reluctant give out. I'll watch this thread for some ideas on who else can lift my leg

[Rtwo]

[Eddie Hitler]

Hung up on MCE during a quote as the girl was so incompetent. Have been with just motorcycle insurance for a few years, they came up a little more expensive but have had nothing but positive experiences from them.

[jimac]

I've been with Swinton for the last three years. I've never had to make a claim so I can't judge them on performance, but their quotes are always competetive.

But...

Beware of the renewal quote. It will always include a Service Charge of £25. My recent renewal was for £79 + £25 Service Charge so £104. I got some alternative quotes, as always, and £79 was reasonable amount, so I phoned them and asked what I was getting for the Service Charge. I got some spiel about it indemnifies them against any innaccuracies that I may have made when getting the quote, although I pointed out that there weren't any inaccuracies so I didn't need that cover. If they would remove the £25 Service Charge I would renew with them, but if not I wouldn't.

This is where we enter La-La land. I was told that they could not remove the service charge, but they would see if they could get me a discount. Lo and behold, they managed to get me £25 discount on the premium so I would pay £54 + £25 Service Charge making a total of £79.

I had to go through the same rigmarole last year as well. I don't know if I'll bother again next year.

[P.addy]

Quote using thebikeinsurer

Try TPFT and FC

[JoeDougieDoug...]

Here we go...

<rant>

I'd avoid Just Motorcycle Insurance like the plague...

I was with them for 2 months when I had my old bike, they wouldn't quote me for my new bike so I paid the £50.00 cancellation and went elsewhere. Since then they have sent me numerous letters requesting payment of £93.00 however they will not give me an explanation as to why I owe this money. It's got to the point where I've had to inform the Financial Ombudsmen.

I never claimed off of them despite my bike being stolen so I can't comment on that, however the few times i've had to contact them have resulted in me talking to 'some guy' who doesn't seem to know his arse from his elbow. Good luck if you do need to claim from them as none of their e-mail addresses listed on their website work either - including the dedicated claims address. Useless bastards.

</rant>.
____________________
CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[RedPanda]

[rubyhorse2]

Think every company will have good and bad reviews to be fair.

Only experience making a claim i have had was with Hastings who were brilliant.

been with Bennets for last few years, always try to match my cheapest quote so stuck with them.

[Polarbear]

I'm with Just Motorcycle insurance after many years with MCE.

Cheap and didn't moan when I was late with proof of no claims.

OK so far.
____________________
Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[Diggs]

Just renewed with Carol's Gnash. They wanted an extra 25% this time so I let my policy lapse then applied again, this time armed with quotes from other companies. Funny old thing - after doing the 'we'll see what we can do for you, sir' runaround, good old Carol came up with a price that didn't have the extra 25% attached. Plus I got accident damage cover for riding other people's bikes. Result.
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[JoeDougieDoug...]

[Wonko The Sane]

[RedPanda]

[Jayy]

Always wondered why we don't have a pinned thread about best / worst insurance companies on here?

Bennetts insured me at the only reasonable price compared with confused.com / comparethemarket.com giving prices 3 x as high!

I found that quote via thebikeinsurer.co.uk by the way

[Rtwo]