Motor Insurance Renewal - Guaranteed Similar Replacement Car

[Protagoras]

It's that time of year again to renew my car insurance, and of course the new premium is considerably higher than last year (although no claims made)

My current insurer, Direct Line, offers a "Guaranteed Hire Car Plus" product which I want (I need to transport family who would struggle to get into a low or small car).

I'd appreciate the names of insurers who offer a similar product, since comparison websites don't seem to offer such a product on the optional extra list.

Thanks!

[Zigenare]

It's that time of year again to renew my car insurance, and of course the new premium is considerably higher than last year (although no claims made)

My current insurer, Direct Line, offers a "Guaranteed Hire Car Plus" product which I want (I need to transport family who would struggle to get into a low or small car).

I'd appreciate the names of insurers who offer a similar product, since comparison websites don't seem to offer such a product on the optional extra list.

Thanks!

How much are you willing to pay for the information?

[Protagoras]

From my research so far, also Churchill and Admiral

[fulcon]

Aviva offer a 'Premium' option for their car insurance which includes a five door car with seats for five people.

[NotAllThere]

Try not to crash. You'll save yourself a fortune.

[SueEllen]

I'd appreciate the names of insurers who offer a similar product, since comparison websites don't seem to offer such a product on the optional extra list.

Thanks!

All insurers should do it as most brands are owned by the same few companies. (Biggest clue is the address.)

Anyway when you click through to the individual insurer's website you can add on extras that aren't included in the comparison site's quote.

You should then be able to save the amended quote by getting them to email you. (Some may demand a password.)

Also do a spreadsheet or simple list of who costs what. Once you have made your decision then click on the relevant email to buy the insurance.

I know this because sometimes I want to set a specific excess on home or car insurance which the comparison sites can't easily do.

[Protagoras]

Try not to crash. You'll save yourself a fortune.

Excellent advice. However, there's always the risk that someone else will arrange one for me; that's what happened last time which admittedly was 1997.

On that basis it's half tempting to self-insure the risk, but that could work out very expensive when the cost of the upgrade cover is under £30.

My problem is that so far, the insurers offering this upgrade cover seem to have the highest basic premiums.

All insurers should do it as most brands are owned by the same few companies. (Biggest clue is the address.)

Sadly, it's less common that I might have thought. Some offer a basic courtesy car and only while the vehicle is being repaired; some offer upgrades to a hire car covering the off-the-road period.

I followed links from comparison website quotes to various insurers own websites, but surprisingly few offer the option to purchase cover for comparable hire car.
(That is comparable to my mid-size bog standard SUV)

[SueEllen]

My problem is that so far, the insurers offering this upgrade cover seem to have the highest basic premiums.

Sadly, it's less common that I might have thought. Some offer a basic courtesy car and only while the vehicle is being repaired; some offer upgrades to a hire car covering the off-the-road period.

I followed links from comparison website quotes to various insurers own websites, but surprisingly few offer the option to purchase cover for comparable hire car.
(That is comparable to my mid-size bog standard SUV)

It doesn't make financial sense to offer you a car if your car isn't being repaired. It's cheaper for them to give you a cheque. (Btw DL are in trouble for under valuing write offs in the past.)

Also insurers are trying to keep costs down as the person who crashed into you could be insured by them as well, which is why some people end up using claims management companies.

I use to be with an esure brand who would upgrade your car if they decided you needed it. So the one time I did need an alternative I got a similar sized car to mine but it was tulip. In fact I would have been better off with one of the small cars I randomly use to hire myself. Anyway that insurer don't want me as a customer anymore as my circumstances have changed.

[Protagoras]

It doesn't make financial sense to offer you a car if your car isn't being repaired. It's cheaper for them to give you a cheque.

Indeed. Where the replacement vehicle is provided by the repairer, that's only provided while they are undertaking the repair.

If the vehicle is not fit to drive and the start of the repair work is delayed, one still needs a vehicle to get around. This is more of a problem recently since repairers need to source parts that may be on longer lead-times and also are capacity constrained. I actually heard that some parts from written-off cars fetch 90% of the new-part value, such is the demand for parts.

[Zigenare]

Indeed. Where the replacement vehicle is provided by the repairer, that's only provided while they are undertaking the repair.

If the vehicle is not fit to drive and the start of the repair work is delayed, one still needs a vehicle to get around. This is more of a problem recently since repairers need to source parts that may be on longer lead-times and also are capacity constrained. I actually heard that some parts from written-off cars fetch 90% of the new-part value, such is the demand for parts.

Wouldn't you be better off with a recumbent bicycle?