What do you want from your Car Insurance policy? Share with Sheilas' Wheels for a chance to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!NOW CLOSED!

[ZaneMumsnet]

We’ve been asked by Sheilas' Wheels to find out what Mumsnetters want from their Car Insurance policy.

They say "we appreciate that Car insurance isn't something you think about every day, however, should you need it you want to know everything is covered."

So what would be your ideal car insurance policy? Should it include a number of complimentary car washes each year? Any extras to keep your family safe when motoring?


Whatever you’d like from your car insurance policy, Sheilas' Wheels would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Who knows, you could help shape the future of car insurance?

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks,
MNHQ
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

What I want from a car insurance policy is the best possible price with no gimmicks and no hidden nasties.

A reasonable excess and no silly clauses.

And I want to be given new customer discounts every year instead of price hikes that magically disappear when I reapply as a new customer. Stop being sneaky and just give me the best possible price and I'll stay with you forever.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Same as Troll, really. I want good prices every year, not hiked up in the hope we won't notice. Car washes? I think I can clean my own car, thanks. What's next, free diamante fairy stickers?
I remember Sheila's Wheels from the days when you used to pretend to do cheaper insurance for women drivers. It always made me laugh when I added my dp (male) as an additional driver and the quoted price came down.
I think we're all sick of being treated like idiots by insurance firms and would just like fair prices without excesses so high that it's pointless claiming.

[AGrinWithoutACat]

Same price or even a discount for customer loyalty instead of the 'best' deals for new customers

If I have to make a claim, make it easy and don't try and wriggle out of it

Decent price with a reasonable excess

U.K. Call centres with polite friendly staff

Make the policy documentation easy to understand

Don't charge excessive admin fees for small changes during the life of the policy

Small excess for window chips / crack replacements

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd like to be guaranteed a straightforward process if I need to make a claim, and to have a sensible renewal quote - not one that will mysteriously drop significantly when I phone to cancel

[MagicAlwaysLeadsToTrouble]

I would like more companies to offer to insure multi cars. We have two and it's easier to have them with the same company but two seperate policies often more expensive.

I would also like a company who don't put the renewal price up every year despite no claims but then offer me a big discount if I call to query the price?!?

I would also like loyalty to be rewarded

[CopperPan]

I would like all communication to be able to be done online, it's a pain having to call up and then be put on hold for ages. Websites should be set up to make it easy to report changes or make a claim.

I'm not interested in any gimmicks like car washes - I'd just feel like I was paying for it through the premium and I'd rather save money and wash my own car!

[WarmHugs]

I would like the price to be competitive. Especially upon renewal. When you get your renewal price through and it's extortionate. And upon searching the comparison websites, not only is it cheaper everywhere else, your own company is cheaper on the comparison sites!

[BreconBeBuggered]

Heartily endorse the calls for decent renewal quotes for existing customers. DH and I thus far haven't made a claim between us in a total of forty years of driving (touch wood, etc) and we're beyond tired of the annual charade.

[voyager50]

Offer a good fair price for loyal customers automatically so that they don't have to phone an negotiate a lower rate every year.

Have uk call centres on free phone numbers.

Charge the same amount whichever way you renew - some people don't feel happy doing things online so have to pay more because of it as they don't get the online discount.

[WowOoo]

I want a good service and a competitive price.The price is what gets me to change every year, so this is important for me.

I'd also like the literature to be approved by the Plain English Campaign if possible or at least easy to understand.

I also don't want loads of marketing and junk mail years after I'm no longer a customer. It makes me very unlikely to become a customer again if I get aggressive marketing after repeated opt outs. I won't name and shame!

[Salmiak]

I only care about the cost - I just go onto a comparison website a month before my new insurance is due and find the cheapest fully comp policy. Over the past 10 years I've been in an annual cycle between Sheila's wheels, ensure and admiral. It's annoying when people have to change once a year, send off their no claims proof, etc - it's just extra hassle.

Why, oh why, can't my car insurance just search for quotes and price match the cheapest whenever my insurance is up for renewal? My house insurance does this and I've stuck with them for several years now. THAT is the way to get your customers to stay, rather than flakey car wash gimmicks, etc.

[purplepandas]

I agree re good renewal prices. It irritates me with the whole brand new customers only approach. I want to be loyal and stay with companies but will only do so if they are the cheapest (with good service).

A UK call centre with free phone numbers. Good customer service (see First Direct as an example).

A clear policy re excesses and use of a courtesy car that matches my car (e.g 4 door if mine is 4 door). Reasonable length of time for use of courtesy car.

I also agree re marketing. Please do not annoy me repeatedly by email/phone/letter. This will put me off.

[SymphonyofShadows]

I agree with everyone about pricing. I was with Sheila' Wheels till last year but Swiftcover quoted half the cost of the SW renewal quote for the same cover. How can prices vary so wildly?

[ButWaitTheresMyrrh]

Best price offered to existing customers approaching renewal.
No hidden costs.
Easy to claim.
Easy to contact.
I don't care at all about any freebies. Car wash, soft toy, movies, whatever.
Just be affordable and honest.

[BobandKate0]

Just want the bare legal minimum to be able to drive on the road and to be able to pay by cheque,i do not want to have to phone up and read out my card number as i will be in a public place.
i do not want any freebies - they are all rubbish.
and stop putting extra offers/holiday promos/charity appeals in with the policy paperwork - ideally on one sheet of paper with a red border/dancing horses - so i know what to keep and what is spam.
keep it simple.

[ottothedog]

Free key cover
Free chips/scratches repair

Best price guarantee on renewals
No claims discount for additional driver

[Theimpossiblegirl]

I want a better renewal offer. Why on Earth do insurers hike them up? Do they think we won't notice? It doesn't encourage loyalty.

[GetKnitted]

I want no frills, I couldn't bear to think of the profit margins being added to a bunch of stuff I don't want.

[torthecatlady]

I odn't ask for much but...... ;)
Reasonable quote for cover.
Small excess.
multi-car discount.
More cover.
Free documentation and no charges for admin fees when changing name etc.
No claims bonus protection.
UK call centres with an option for a call back so I don't have to wait ages on the phone - Very important
Online chat facility on the website to discuss issues instead of on the phone.
Polite and diligent staff (unlike those at Debenhams).
GENUINE offers when purchasing another insurance such as home, pet, life etc.

[sharond101]

Fair system, easy to get on telephone, good value, low excess, good service

[anonooo]

Good price, good customer communication, not much small print.

[Gen]

Easy to renew, same price online as well as renewal price through the post. Easy to understand any extras. Straightforward claiming, if necessary. Good customer care, value and service.

[kzedii]

cheaper insurance no hassle
no hike in prices at renewal even if i don't make a claim ( and then offering a different price when i call up to query why its gone up after being on phone for long time, going through everything again)
should i make a claim no nonsense or hassle going back and forth
low excess
free no claim discount protection
no small print
free call back so i dont have to stay on phone for forever
no marketing letters/emails/calls
multi car discount

not asking for much :-)

[Maiyakat]

A fair price on renewals (it would be nice not to have to find the price on price comparison websites and phone up and threaten to leave in order to get that price every year). Call centres that answer quickly and knowledgeable staff. A courtesy car provided if your car is written off. Insurers that keep a tighter reign on their garages - my car was 'written off', only for me to discover it had been sold on and was still on the road. Not impressed.

[bluebump]

I agree with everyone above - I want reasonably priced insurance which is easy to renew with no huge hike up in prices each time.