to change my car insurance provider?

[freddiefrog]

Got my renewal for my car insurance through today and they want silly money.

Had a look on Compare The Market and found exactly the same policy for about £300 less

Rang my insurance company to let them know I wouldn't be renewing and they ended up matching the new quote.

I think, if they can insure me for £300, they should have quoted me £300 in the first place rather than the £600+ in the renewal

So I still cancelled and went with the 2nd company

DH thinks I'm mad and have created myself a whole load of hassle and should have stayed with the original company instead of faffing around switching when all insurance companies do the same thing anyway with renewals

I see his point but this annoys me

If everyone did this every year rather than gaily accepting new quotes, the market wouldn't be inflated.

I always shop around and always get it cheaper than the renewal, which reminds me, mine is due this week.

Also I never go with the same company 2 years in a row, I seem to mostly go between Admiral and 1st Central alternately.

Yanbu and the only hassle will be 2 emails a proof of ncd and a photo or scan of your license hardly a massive issue.

It's always been cheaper for me to swap and it's not really any hassle. Having said that, it's like being cross with a crocodile for trying to eat you- this is just how insurance works, no point making yourself mad.

There isn't any real hassle in switching insurers. I tend to stay with Admiral for the car, but my household insurance goes to whoever has a good quote for the features I want. Most places assume you will just renew, and they charge stupid amounts in the second and subsequent years.

YANBU - We swap and change all our insurance every year. I refuse to pay over the odds for the same product.
You were lucky they agreed to match it, but I still think you were right to change providers.

I know they all do it, and there's no point being annoyed, but changing provider feels like I'm getting one over on them

All I need to do is sent proof of my no claims, so it's hardly a hassle.

DH always sticks with the same company when they match the quote. It just annoys me that they send inflated renewals, if they can insure me for £300, that's what my renewal should be

I agree with you OP.

I do shop around and always get back to the original provider but tend to swap unless they can beat my best quote.

It's not a lot of hassle at all.

If everyone did this every year rather than gaily accepting new quotes, the market wouldn't be inflated.

If insurers didn't give one price for a new business quote and a different price for renewal, consumers wouldn't need to shop around (to such an extent). It's called dual pricing and is 'frowned upon'; it doesn't stop though.

Insurers will often try to carry a loading at renewal in the hope that people will think it's easier to let it continue without looking around. Chances are if you've stayed with the same insurer for several years you'll be able to find a significantly cheaper quote.

I did the same as you last year except tesco would price match direct line - theyre the same company! So i went with the latter because i got pissed off with tesco.