confused.com

[MColes]

Or rather, Footman James.

So my insurance renewal arrived in the post today and I almost fell over!!

I'm 22 and I've been driving 3 years now, this being my 4th insurance renewal. We all know the insurance for younger people isn't cheap, what was the quote I hear you ask! Well... £1135.10 An increase of over £300 since last year!

Needless to say I rang them.

So I complain, the guy goes away and comes back and tells me he can magically knock £100 off the price. Still rather unimpressed I get out the big guns ... "well I'm in charge of the MMOC Young Members register and I speak to young members about insurance all the time and members younger than me are paying less than half the price". So I get put on hold again and when the guy comes back it seems there was a computer error and the renewal hadn't been processed properly, this year's renewal... £325.26

I think they're making these prices up!

Moral of the story... always, always, always phone them up!

[charlie_morris_minor]

well done for calling them..

we regularly reduce our premium on our skoda by 300 by swapping between admiral and elephant.. which are erm.. the same company so its not just footman james

[chrisryder]

"well I'm in charge of the MMOC Young Members register and I speak to young members about insurance all the time and members younger than me are paying less than half the price".

i might have to tell them that one... even if it's not true!

by the way, you're now paying about half what i pay!

[daveyl]

I've noticed this on almost everything. AA breakdown, House insurance, TV+internet. I think these companies hope that you can't be bothered to ring and check the renewal price. Amazingly, I think this is common.

If you can find a better price with a competitor, then, go back to your old quote and see if they can better it. This isn't new advice but very It's competitive out there, and these guys want your money.

[millerman]

Matt, a good topic for the Club Liason meeting

[santadawes]

After all the bother of insurance companys. I have been looking very hard at starting my own insurance company. I am looking at using a large mallet and mearkats as my company logo..... I think I will call my company Acne... and my slogan .... PIMPLES.......

[ASL642]

[Alan Pearse]

Well done Matt, even thou you are the young members registrar, you shouldn't have been quoted that price, as has been said they just thinl of number and multiply by your age, you should get in touch with the national committee about this and put pressure on footman james, or the mmoc should go elsewhere. just a thought.

[bpr81a]

Just to let everyone know, this is now being investigated by Dave Youngs of Footman James.

[hanvyj]

My quote from fj was over 900, for some reason it was less than 300 if I was a driver on annother car. Went elsewhere and got 300 from Lancaster. I believe both have the same underwriter. I dont know the deal with the owners club and the company but I hope my membership fee isnt contributing towards the "discount" they offered me...

I'm also a youmger member at 22

[dunketh]

Great result!

I'd hate to be a young driver now - you guys get proper rogered. Theres no justification either. Its just down to the fact the insurance companies are unregulated and can make their own rules and charge whatever they like.
The latest excuse is legal claims - it used to be 'dangerous' young drivers...whatever next? OFT has promised to look at them but I wouldnt hold your breath!
My insurance renewal came in at nearly £300 this year - I told them where to stick it. I now pay £150 with Lancaster. (worth another name drop I recon )

Also, for comparison, ignore Compare the Meerkat, Go Compare, Confused..etc.. all rubbish.
In our un-scientific tests in the office (three lads trying them out) http://www.tiger.co.uk beat them by a long way every time - even when dealing with the SAME insurers.

[GPO_Van]

Hi All
This is what I said last month "Footman James have been good for me, always helpful, I also insure 3 old British bikes with them, never any problems" this month came to insure my 3 bikes and the price had shot up.
I eventually got it for less with Carole Nash, with better breakdown cover, FT where willing to match the price but I felt I'd been messed about and so changed to CN anyway.
Regards
Reg

[irmscher]

My sons quote was £6900 for a corsa My insurance went up £120 after holding a licence since 1973 when i complained they remarked that everything had gone up %40 but when i remarked my wage hasnt she put the phone down!