↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Finance & Insurance > Brokers, Insurance Companies and Me
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
Brokers, Insurance Companies and Me
OK - so I'm on the market for new insurance.

I've contacted the usual suspects, A-Plan, Heritage, NFU and the former 2 come in at around the 300 quid mark, NFU comes in closer to 450...

With both the 2 former brokers they have suggested insurance companies that have, well, quite frankly the worst and most damning reviews I've ever read online. So what gives... is my contract with the broker and my claim with the broker should a claim arise or is that irrelevant because the insurer will always have the controlling hand?

Here's an example of one of the insurance companies being suggested: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.markerstudy.com

So should I pay the extra 150 quid to go with a trusted insurer or is NFU just another broker with questionable insurers on their books?

Or, are Heritage/A-Plan/the other brokers out there to fight my side the in the event that I need to make a claim as it is their reputation at stake, not the actual insurer?

***update - just read the reviews on NFU and they are hardly glowing either***

#confused.com
Post #622620 8th May 2017 10:01am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 980

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Went through the same this morning for my wife's BMW. Been insured with Geoffrey for 5 years, but bit of a jump in the renewal premium.

Thought I had it all worked out with Hastings Direct (UK call centre etc). Then I checked the terms on the insurance - if the car is parked near home, but not in the garage, it's not insured for theft or damage. Normally the term is that it's 'usually' garaged, but never seen something so restrictive before. She leaves the car outside the garage about once a month. Then a constant 3 weeks if we're hatching chickens.
Narrow escape, so back to Geoffrey.

Back to your original post - they're all a bit crap. It's just a case of picking the one that's crap in a way that doesn't bother you. Geoffrey are expensive, Direct Line are awful, Aviva have overseas call centres, Hastings won't pay out a claim.
Post #622831 9th May 2017 9:46am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3459

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
NFU. Confident that you'll get the service you pay for when it's needed most. All for £12.50 a month extra! 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #622844 9th May 2017 10:17am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Tiger



Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 2265

2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Java Black
I insured with A-Plan for 12 Months who put the policy to Markerstudy.

A friend who works in insurance (Truck fleets) told me in no uncertain terms to get a different policy or hope that I never need to claim. Now insured with LV
Post #622849 9th May 2017 10:50am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Fabio



Member Since: 05 Aug 2011
Location: Somerset
Posts: 589

Portugal 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
I have just renewed with churchil 204£ for the year.
I am of the opinion that if i have to claim ill be shafted no matter what insurance company.
So i went for the cheapest i could find.
Just my opinion.

Fabio
Post #622852 9th May 2017 11:13am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7866

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
So difficult. I'm with A-Plan as the most competitive company that seem to understand modification. I've rather have gone with NFU but they were £250 more than A-Plan before we started talking modifications!

For me for £150 extra I'd rather go with NFU for peace of mind.

Hopefully forum sponsor A-Plan could provide some reassurances on how claims are dealt with??

You hear lots of good things about A-Plan, but I've not heard of anyone making a claim yet?? James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #622879 9th May 2017 12:52pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
stigomery



Member Since: 10 May 2016
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 277

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
My list of "known modifications" is a side of A4 so I'd not risk declaring it all and only a specialist broker will quite so someone like Churchill is out.

Well, I have 4 days to decide NFU or cheap broker, questionable insurer (and hope I never have to claim)

FWIW we used Chaucer (renamed something) for the past x years and they have been fantastic dealing with 2 total losses in the past 5 years. Best experience of an insurer in my 25 odd years of motoring.
Post #622895 9th May 2017 1:35pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 980

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Chaucer is now Geoffrey - that's who we're with. Never had to claim, but always great on the phone. Glad to hear you've had good claims experience.
Post #622900 9th May 2017 1:44pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Def90



Member Since: 17 Jan 2015
Location: Kent
Posts: 252

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Corris Grey
Hi

This is the latest trend and the problem within the insurance industry,

Geoffrey Insurance Services is a trading name of Zenith Marque Insurance Services Limited

Zenith Marque Insurance Services Limited is part of the Markerstudy Group of Companies.
Post #622919 9th May 2017 2:32pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
ARC99



Member Since: 19 Feb 2013
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 1831

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Cairns Blue
Well for what it is worth S.W.M.B.O. and myself are with the NFU, we have had no problems with them.

We have had three incidents in thirty years, which the NFU have had investigated and proved that we were not at fault two of the other drivers have been put on the Insurance Fraud watch list . I doubt that other companies would have been so thorough .

When I changed the steering wheel I just had to get a bill from and engineer to say that it was safe, they would not allow my to change the springs as they needed an engineer to say that they were safe . Okay it cost me more, but I know they will be there if I need them.

As my father taught me" You only get what you pay for, It may be more expensive but you get the best". Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place,
so it doesn't take much to Censored us off.

Richard
Post #622934 9th May 2017 3:34pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums