Insurance renewal process?

[NJD]

Insurance is due to be renewed latter this month and is the first time I've been through it, rather not get shafted so wanted some advice.

Currently with MCE and have received a letter to renew (non-auto renew policy), the letter doesn't include no claims proof or a price for renewal just to phone a number and "we'll get you the best price" etc etc. I've been on multiple price comparison sites and have entered similar details and receive a consistent price from MCE who are the cheapest by eighty ponds in comparison to the next best offer from JMI, the quotes are still expensive but it's MCE or nothing.

Questions:

(1) Internet or phone?

(1.1) Is there a difference between phoning them via the number provided in the letter to go through the process vs buying the policy on the internet?

I've read somewhere that if you phone to buy charges are added on, do they really get you a cheaper price over the phone or is it just hastle for no reason and a risk of a higher price.

(2) No claims;

(2.1) Do I have to wait to receive this via post before buying a new policy either online or over the phone?

(2.2) How does no claims work when I intend to use the same company (MCE) for a second year in a row, will I need a reference of the paper or will they just be able to look on their system and tell?

(2.3) Am I better off waiting until my policy has expired before I click buy now via the internet or phone just to ensure that I do receive the no claims. (ie; I don't crash or there isn't a "lost in post init m8" error).

(3) Paying in full:

This is the first year I am able to pay in full, although the quote is expensive (to me) I appreciate that it brings down the cost of the policy over all and makes adjustment fees cheaper (at least in my experience) so;

(3.1) Is there anything to ask about before buying a policy in full or is it the same as taking out a policy with agreed payments?

(4) Credit score

(4.1) As I don't have a credit score (failed to get finance on a bike before without guarantor) is there any way to get proof that I've been able to meet "x" amount of monthly payments for my insurance this last year to help me in the future or is this not something insurance companies do?

.. Not really an insurance related matter, just want to think out the box for anything that may arise in the future.

The quote this year round is roughly £150-170 aprox. cheaper than last year, so that 1 years NCB and getting a full license helps however the price isn't cheap, a little over £300 for a tiddler.. I hate being a young rider. (Irrelevant info, included for lulz)

[MCN]

moneysupermarket quote.

Phone if you want but some charge for the phone service.

You could get quotes and go back to your existing broker who normally will try to match or beat what you find online/elsewhere.
I have several policies and shop like a boss every time.

I have two policies with Hastings (Who were outed as bashterts previously on here ) They beat the online quotes last month by about £35 when I re-insured a bike. Even with the Fixed penalty/s
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Rogerborg]

Don't waste your time speaking with them, just take out a new policy with them online.

If you make any contact with them, it should only be to file a clearly headed complaint that they haven't sent you a renewal proposal that satisfies ICOBS 6.1.5.

And while you're at it, complain that they don't have a clearly identified way to lodge complaints as per ICOBS 4.1.2.

Grumpiness courtesy of a recent spat with Hastings.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[NJD]

[iooi]

[liladams1]

I know its the thread is started for a different reason but I myself will be due to renew at the end of December and next Dec 1st is my last payment but which is the best company

I have been recommended Carole Nash.
Currently with express but I had to change my bikes a few times and they charged me 3 times £30 to change details
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Doesn't Matter what your ride as long as it has two wheels and ain't Chinese.

[NJD]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Having recently had a 2 week runaround with bennetts I suggest using social media to complain. In less than 30 seconds I had a reply and all sorted out when they phoned me the next day.
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[NJD]

*Bump*

Their customer service is useless and website is piss poor and full of broken features.

I contacted someone via their live chat in regards to their new portal and was told that they'd get in touch with IT after I reported that I wasn't able to log in or sign up and then was left with an empty chat box and no further response until I left, haven't heard anything since so give up with any idea that I'll ever get to use it to avoid talking to them if I ever need to make an adjustment or view documents etc. (I'm not sure this is possible since I've never logged into their portal but would have been a nice feature).

Contacted them again today via live chat to ask about getting proof of my NCB that I had gained from the soon to be expired policy and was told that they'd send it via email and could take 48 hours, was also told MCE provide 7 days from buying a policy to provide proof. Again was left with an empty chat box half way through the conversation and had to send another message to get a half arsed response.. although that response confirmed and provided me with all evidence needed that they've agreed to send it to me and acknowledged that I've earn't it should any problems arise.

Anyway..

I'm going to buy a new policy with them tomorrow (because cheapest and only affordable option) online (via their website.. if that makes any difference) and wondered if I should wait to get the proof of NCB before buying? (I don't see why I should wait even though I could, if they can search their computer system and find my policy etc and say they're going to send it to me in minutes then they can do that again if they decide to phone and ask for proof). I guess what I'm really asking is should I wait for it via email encase they mess up or just buy the policy tomorrow and not worry, rather not spunk a chunk of cash and not be on the safe side.

I remembered not to limit my mileage this time round, is still sub 10000 but only by a little bit.. not that I'll ever cover that in a year, made no price difference so why not.

Also pillion cover.. it's available at no extra cost, include on the rare chance I'll ever need to ride with someone on the back or just leave out?

I read the T&C's provided to me with the quote on their website and it says that the policy is not an auto-renew policy and instead they send an invitation and nothing happens after if they don't hear a response, suppose that's a bonus. (Buying in full).

[Rogerborg]

Just buy it. Not even MCE would be pig ignorant enough to argue the toss that you haven't sent them back the proof that they haven't sent you.

Sure, tick pillion use if it's no-cost.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[NJD]

[wednesday]

regarding the credit score - if you're over 18 and have a bank account you DO have one, probably just not a very good one. If you google Noddle and Clearscore you will get the websites to check your credit rating for free - they cover two of the 3 main uk credit scoring systems (the other being Experian, which only have a 30 day free trial.
Its well worth signing up, checking all your details are correct and also they have good advice on how to improve your credit rating.

Many people don't realise that paying for insurance monthly is actually taking out a loan, and even getting quotes the companies will do a "soft check" on you (ie check you out but it doesn't affect your credit rating). I found all this out only recently when checking mine prior to applying for finance for my bike.

tl:dr - its free to check your credit score

[NJD]

[andyscooter]

Renewal=bend over and lube up
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[NJD]

[iooi]

[NJD]

And we're done. My above NCB worries should be eliminated by the fact they ask who your previous insurer was and the policy number, since it's them it would take a special kind of potato to mess that one up, here's to hoping they don’t.

I can report the portal works and is only for downloading and uploading documents you cannot (20/11/2015) make policy adjustments or do anything else. Documents are no longer sent via email and are only available by logging into and download or viewing them on the portal, on the plus side the document wording quality is a lot better than the unreadable garbage I had last year via email, all clear and easy to read without issue. It seems that you're only able to use the portal if you buy a policy after it was released or made a feature, when you buy the policy you get an email giving you a link to the portal to sign up. And I'd assume the only immediate use for the upload feature would be NCB proof, or do they want some pictures from the "Last post wins" thread?

Here's to another year going no faster than 40-45mph on the chong noodle, woop woop.

I may or may not do a review thread at some point (of the bike). Most important Christmas present purchased, now then.. everyone else ok with sweets from poundland?

[monkeybiker]

[rubyhorse2]

my process every year.

go online with compare or similar and get some prices.
ring current provider and state your lowest quote
If they cant match or provide something worthwhile go with new provider

do this every year, very simple.

[stinkwheel]

[MCN]

[ninjabob]

Pay particular attention to the Compulsory and Voluntary Excess on any quote on comparison sites.

MCE can be £1000!!

[MCN]

[Yorkshire Geek]

[Ste]