Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

AA guarantees to beat your car insurance renewal quote

  • 31-03-2009 8:21pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,399 ✭✭✭


    I used to have my car insurance with the AA but switched to 123.ie last year as they were over €70 cheaper than the AA. However, I received a letter from the AA today (as they know from their records that my car insurance is up for renewal soon) stating that they will guarantee to beat my current insurer's quote no matter what it is. The only condition is that it must be like for like, i.e. they will quote for comprehensive if you have comprehensive insurance or 3rd party for 3rd part etc. If you haven't gotten a similar letter, ring them anyways and see if they'll beat your own insurance quote - "they guarantee to do it". They must be desparate for business but this is just another of those silver linings that has come with the recession.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,625 ✭✭✭wmpdd3


    My insurance is €210 fully comp with full no claims protaction with Tesco,
    Closest AA came to it last year was €410 so I'd love to see what they can do for my this year!!

    PS if they do lower their quote to meet my old 1 then no way should anybody accept an original quote form any company.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭raviravi


    My insurance was up on Sat was with AA got my renewal notice quoted 389, rang and they said the best they could do was 369 so I shopped around a bit more 123 quoted 250 + 40 admin charge total 290 rang aa to tell them I was switching as i had a better quote they then said they would do it for 280 so i asked why i wasnt given that quote when i had originally asked them got a bit of a cock and bull story but told them as they were prepared to charge me 89 more the previous week and werent prepared to give me that quote when i asked i told them they could quote me again next year and they were now losing my aa membership as well cos 123 included home start also, so the motto is shop around and shop around again!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,984 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    Cheers for the heads up re the aa.

    Everyone else, standard practice with any annual insurance product it to shop around.
    Kippy


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,808 Mod ✭✭✭✭Keano


    Shame I paid my last week :(

    Still managed to save money though by shopping around.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,340 CMod ✭✭✭✭Davy


    Ive always found the AA a good bit more expensive than my cheapest quote. I just renewed this week, wonder if i rang would they beat it


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,876 ✭✭✭pirelli


    raviravi wrote: »
    My insurance was up on Sat was with AA got my renewal notice quoted 389, rang and they said the best they could do was 369 so I shopped around a bit more 123 quoted 250 + 40 admin charge total 290 rang aa to tell them I was switching as i had a better quote they then said they would do it for 280 so i asked why i wasnt given that quote when i had originally asked them got a bit of a cock and bull story but told them as they were prepared to charge me 89 more the previous week and werent prepared to give me that quote when i asked i told them they could quote me again next year and they were now losing my aa membership as well cos 123 included home start also, so the motto is shop around and shop around again!!!!

    In one word ungrateful.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32 bcloh


    I always found AA expensive, but this year I rang them and took about 250 off my renewal with another company. This included AA membership!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭Barty


    pirelli wrote: »
    In one word ungrateful.

    I don't understand what you mean here Pirelli?

    I think everyone should make a couple of calls to other insurance companies when they get a renewal quote for insurance, be it car, house or health insurance. It only takes a couple of minutes to make the calls and could end up saving you alot of money :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,329 ✭✭✭wcarey1975


    Barty wrote: »
    I don't understand what you mean here Pirelli?

    I think everyone should make a couple of calls to other insurance companies when they get a renewal quote for insurance, be it car, house or health insurance. It only takes a couple of minutes to make the calls and could end up saving you alot of money :)

    I think he meant that they did what he wanted and he still didnt stay with them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 99 ✭✭Barty


    wcarey1975 wrote: »
    I think he meant that they did what he wanted and he still didnt stay with them.

    I thought that's what he meant but I think Raviravi was right not to go with the AA. The AA initially said they couldn't provide a cheaper quote but then once Raviravi said they were going to go with the 123 quote the AA dropped their quote. It's like you have to haggle with the insurance company!

    Anyhow, I don't want to go OT here - I think it just shows that shopping around is always beneficial and I don't understand why some people don't take the time to shop around :)


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,399 ✭✭✭Kashkai


    Shopping round is the only way to go but a word to the wise, 123.ie (who I'm with) have a practice of giving you a cut price deal in the first year to get your business and then upping the price quite substantially the following year. My renewal with them went up by €100 and when I hadn't renewed the policy by a day before it was due, they called me and said they had just managed to give me insurance at last year's price. I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't have refunded the €100 if I had renewed with them earlier.

    I suppose the moral of the story is don't be loyal to any company but only to yourself so shop around and don't be afraid to move insurance company like so many are (I only managed to get my Dad to move his insurance last year when I told him I wouldn't renew it for him on my credit card unless he shopped round - I ended up shopping round for him and saved him €130)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,630 ✭✭✭Oracle


    Shopping round is the only way to go but a word to the wise, 123.ie (who I'm with) have a practice of giving you a cut price deal in the first year to get your business and then upping the price quite substantially the following year. My renewal with them went up by €100 and when I hadn't renewed the policy by a day before it was due, they called me and said they had just managed to give me insurance at last year's price. I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't have refunded the €100 if I had renewed with them earlier.

    I suppose the moral of the story is don't be loyal to any company but only to yourself so shop around and don't be afraid to move insurance company like so many are (I only managed to get my Dad to move his insurance last year when I told him I wouldn't renew it for him on my credit card unless he shopped round - I ended up shopping round for him and saved him €130)

    Very good post, I agree. Just to let everyone know the AA do exactly the same. They quoted me double the premium at renewal that I got online myself. The moral of the story is, there is no substitute for shopping around for quotes before every renewal. I have almost always managed to find a cheaper quote everytime.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 87 ✭✭raviravi


    pirelli wrote: »
    In one word ungrateful.
    definition of ungrateful = Not feeling or exhibiting gratitude, thanks, or appreciation.

    At all time when i was talking with the rep i was thankful, and expressed gratitude and also acknowledged that they were only doing what they were instructed to but as i said i rang them to say i was not renewing isnt that courtesy as well i was expressing. We do live in a democracy and also one where we have a choice and when you are saving on the insurance plus the cost of the aa cover for the year i think i was doing my bit for the recession, yes it think what i saved will cover a weekend away......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭Oral Slang


    I should have rung the AA this year so. I always ring around though, because every year, whoever I'm with puts up my premium, I ring around and usually get it a bit cheaper than the year before.

    Paid €346 this year fully comp with no stepback (ie I wont lose any no-claims bonus if I have an accident). For anyone that has step back, they should price getting rid of it. Usually only €20 more or something for your premium, but it saves you in the long run if you're in a crash..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 Hatchet


    I've a feeling the AA are losing alot of 'Normal' business these days as most other insurers are offering 'free' breakdown cover with their policies..... The AA will have to start dropping their premiums if they want to keep up...

    Speaking of renewals... got my renewal quote from my current insurer last week, €100 up on last year (taxes was the excuse)?? Rang them, said I wanted to add my girlfriend as a named driver.... ended up getting the renewal for €400 less than the original renewal quote :eek: In case anyone doesnt know, most companies give you substantial discounts ;

    1) If your mileage is less than 10k per year.
    2) If named driver has own insurance and their car has same engine size as yours!!

    These were the reasons I was given when I asked why there was such a difference in my quotes. I was dubious of number two, but tbh I dont care as long as I save some money... hope that helps somebody


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,780 ✭✭✭pissed


    I got my renewal today from insure.ie. Was €330 last year fully comp and this year went to €405 fully comp. Rang them and they gave me some sad story about the insurance companies hitting them hard etc. I pointed out it was cheaper last year and I have since moved my second car and the house insurance to them. After 3 mins waiting on the phone they dropped to €365. I must give AA a ring now and see how they compare.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 546 ✭✭✭gaillimhabu


    Oral Slang wrote: »
    I should have rung the AA this year so. I always ring around though, because every year, whoever I'm with puts up my premium, I ring around and usually get it a bit cheaper than the year before.

    Paid €346 this year fully comp with no stepback (ie I wont lose any no-claims bonus if I have an accident). For anyone that has step back, they should price getting rid of it. Usually only €20 more or something for your premium, but it saves you in the long run if you're in a crash..

    Having stepback protection means your no claims will stepback if you have an accident i.e. 4 -> 2. I think you are saying the opposite


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,473 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Stepback is often not recognised by other insurers. So if you try and change you will be told you have no NCB.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,333 ✭✭✭gaz wac


    They sent the same letter to me....it was nearly double the quote of other companies, so I said " I thought you could guarntee a cheaper quote"? responce...."no, we cant" !!! my insurance was slighty higher this year as well , even after shopping around, got the same story " people no longer have two car's or are just getting rid of their everyday car as they cant afford it so the Ins Com have to recoup the cost from other costumers"

    :rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,473 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    For the record, the AA have never ever been able to come close to what I am paying at the moment. Just rang them there for the craic and they still are not at the races.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6 justomc


    anyone ever try chill.ie ?

    havent heard of some of the companies they pull quotes from but they were by far and away the cheapest ive found savings of up to 50 % on other quotes I had !


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,045 ✭✭✭Rev. Kitchen


    I got a renewal quote of 540 went on to AA website enterred the info it gave me a quote of 580 so i didnt go with them, They rang me today then and quoted be 520. i said it was still bigger than what i had been quoted ;) . They asked if i wanted to put a name driver on that it would give me a discount if i did so i put the missus on it and it dropped to 420 !!.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭nava


    Does anyone know about Road Side Assistance? most other insurance give it for free when taking Fully Comp, I don't think AA will beat the other and include free road Assistance


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,473 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    AA charge 130 a year for roadside assistance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,045 ✭✭✭Rev. Kitchen


    nava wrote: »
    Does anyone know about Road Side Assistance? most other insurance give it for free when taking Fully Comp, I don't think AA will beat the other and include free road Assistance
    Bond-007 wrote: »
    AA charge 130 a year for roadside assistance.

    It costs 130 but if you take out a policy with them they discount it to 69.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,473 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    That is big of them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭nava


    It costs 130 but if you take out a policy with them they discount it to 69.

    I have to renew next month but I think I will stay with Fbd as I get the Road side assistance, only needed it once in my case over the last couple of years.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,244 ✭✭✭sdanseo


    Well FWIW I couldn't get through to their call centre at 5.05pm on a Thursday so they obviously don't want the business. Also, their online engine gave me a quote of €2200 or €2400 - Quinn have offered to renew for €1223. Wow.

    (1yr noclaims, Full Lic 7months, 20, M)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,399 ✭✭✭Kashkai


    Well I finally got round to ringing the AA to see if they'd beat the quote that I got from 123.ie of €313. The AA quoted €383 so I asked them about the "guarantee to beat my quote". They went on how it must be a like for like quote so I told them it was, i.e. fully comp, full ncb protection etc so the AA girl put me on hold and came back after about 4 minutes and said they'd do it for €303. Amazing how they could knock €80 off like that but hey it was a good deal so I took it.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,739 ✭✭✭nava


    Well I finally got round to ringing the AA to see if they'd beat the quote that I got from 123.ie of €313. The AA quoted €383 so I asked them about the "guarantee to beat my quote". They went on how it must be a like for like quote so I told them it was, i.e. fully comp, full ncb protection etc so the AA girl put me on hold and came back after about 4 minutes and said they'd do it for €303. Amazing how they could knock €80 off like that but hey it was a good deal so I took it.

    When I did a quote the other with 123.ie it also included the recovery service with Fully Comp, did they include any type of recovery service with AA?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23,862 ✭✭✭✭January


    Just to clarify this... you know the AA aren't an insurance company, they're an insurance broker... so any discount you're getting is coming from the insurance companies.

    The AA will look at their system and see the quote, come back to you and then if you have a cheaper quote they have to ring the insurance company and see if they can get them to lower the price.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    Shopping around holds true for insurance in general - not just car insurance. I got my home insurance renewal quote from First Active - €814! With one phone call I got that reduced to €415 with the same company.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,837 ✭✭✭S.I.R


    ill give them a buzz monday, see if they cant beat what im paying atm but it would want to be 100+ or i would want the few cents for the phonecall back...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    The AA site was too expensive for me a few weeks back, about €150 more than my renewal, so were most of them actually including tesco. 123.ie came in about €60 or more cheaper so when Britton called me with a few days to go and asked was I renewing I said I was actually shopping around and I am getting around the €420 mark which is better than €490 something.
    She called me back and said €393 for myself and wife or €410 for just me. My wife lost her license and does not drive so I just had to go with me. Its better than what my renewal actually was, I could have gotten it cheaper if I cut out extras but to be honest I used my breakdown cover a few times last year so it is worth the extra €10 or €20.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 72 ✭✭onlinegamer


    :confused:

    i cant get a quote at all from 123.ie im a male driver with 4 yr name driver experience on my girlfriends policy, comes up at the final page (Thank you. Unfortunately we are unable to offer you a quote at this time)

    quinn direct are able to quote me 610€ starting off on my own policy why cant 123.ie


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 167 ✭✭marknoonan1974


    :confused:

    i cant get a quote at all from 123.ie im a male driver with 4 yr name driver experience on my girlfriends policy, comes up at the final page (Thank you. Unfortunately we are unable to offer you a quote at this time)

    quinn direct are able to quote me 610€ starting off on my own policy why cant 123.ie

    123.ie are a broker, they are not an insurance company. The companies are more likely to quote you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    gaz wac wrote: »
    people no longer have two car's or are just getting rid of their everyday car as they cant afford it so the Ins Com have to recoup the cost from other costumers"
    What a load of cock, if they are insuring fewer cars, then they are exposing themselves to less risk, so there will be fewer payouts. They don't need to raise prices unless it suddenly is costing them more in claims. If anything, prices should be going down since:
    • The open-market value of the car being insured is lower (nobody is buying), so replacing it would cost less.
    • Cost of repairs is lower due to abundance of mechanics (people will try and get a few thousand more miles before a service -> fewer services)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    everything is coming down in price as are people's salaries but the insurance companies will not reduce their profits for anything less than an act of god


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,669 ✭✭✭Colonel Sanders


    foggy_lad wrote: »
    the insurance companies will not reduce their profits for anything less than an act of god

    Most companies are well on track to lose money this year. FBD made a loss last year and most of the others either made underwriting losses or relied on balance sheet reserve releases to make a profit and make up for very poor2008 accident year performance


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,669 ✭✭✭Colonel Sanders


    snappieT wrote: »
    What a load of cock, if they are insuring fewer cars, then they are exposing themselves to less risk, so there will be fewer payouts. They don't need to raise prices unless it suddenly is costing them more in claims. If anything, prices should be going down since:
    • The open-market value of the car being insured is lower (nobody is buying), so replacing it would cost less.
    • Cost of repairs is lower due to abundance of mechanics (people will try and get a few thousand more miles before a service -> fewer services)

    If they are insuring fewer cars then their expenses have to be spread over fewer policies => expenses as a % of premium will rise. Cutting costs is very difficult and also seems to be very unpopular as Hibernian found out when outsourcing, if their rating structure is correct then the number of cars insured is irrelevant for the proportion of the premium that is paid out in claims

    Between about 2003 and 2007 motor insurance premiums pretty much halved. They are already unprofitable so increases ARE needed so your assertation that prices should have gone down is incorrect

    The largest proportion of the premium is spend on third party injury claims so the fact that repairs etc are going down effects a small proportion of the premium (look at the difference between third [arty fire and theft and comp cover to see this)


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6 justomc


    My insrance was due for renewal last week and cheapest quotes I was getting was around the 800 mark fully comp.

    I logged on the Chill.ie and got a quote for 750 and was going to go with this as 50 quid in my pocket is better than in some insurance companies account.

    Instead of proceeding online I rang the contact number on their website (1890 30 20 20 ) and the girl told me they were just after getting links to some new insurers which are not on their website as of yet.

    The result 560 yoyo's fully comp so saved almost 200 by making a phonecall


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    If they are insuring fewer cars then their expenses have to be spread over fewer policies => expenses as a % of premium will rise. Cutting costs is very difficult and also seems to be very unpopular as Hibernian found out when outsourcing, if their rating structure is correct then the number of cars insured is irrelevant for the proportion of the premium that is paid out in claims

    Between about 2003 and 2007 motor insurance premiums pretty much halved. They are already unprofitable so increases ARE needed so your assertation that prices should have gone down is incorrect

    The largest proportion of the premium is spend on third party injury claims so the fact that repairs etc are going down effects a small proportion of the premium (look at the difference between third [arty fire and theft and comp cover to see this)

    I realise that if they got their numbers right, then there should be no change in premiums regardless of the number of policies they are issuing (except for operating costs).

    My point is that the claims they need to pay out on now have a lower value due to an abundance of labour and the low market value of cars. If they're paying out less money in claims, they should be taking less money in through premiums.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 866 ✭✭✭Rockiemalt


    I got my renewal quote €717,last year my insurance cost €430 with hibernian.

    I did just change cars from a 98 Fiat seicento to a 00 Yaris and moved from 3rd party to comprehensive but that increase just seemed absolutely insane!

    I've shopped around a bit and got it down to €440 with 3 years NCD (24 yr old female) but the best Hibernian could do was €680!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭Wisesmurf


    justomc wrote: »
    My insrance was due for renewal last week and cheapest quotes I was getting was around the 800 mark fully comp.

    I logged on the SHILL.ie and got a quote for 750 and was going to go with this as 50 quid in my pocket is better than in some insurance companies account.

    Instead of proceeding online I rang the contact number on their website (1890 30 20 20 ) and the girl told me they were just after getting links to some new insurers which are not on their website as of yet.

    The result 560 yoyo's fully comp so saved almost 200 by making a phonecall

    FYP!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,267 ✭✭✭Elessar


    My renewal is not up for a few months but for pigiron I went to a few sites to get a few quotes and HOLY SH*T, the cheapest was over 300 dearer than I'm paying at the moment!

    What is driving an increase like this?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,473 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Greed. Brokers don't think a recession is on right now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,340 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Elessar wrote: »

    What is driving an increase like this?

    Insurance companies get much of their income from investing premiums in the the markets etc so with the state these are in their income from these sources are way down.

    Desktop PC Boards discount code on https://www.satellite.ie/ is boards.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭Keith C


    Bond-007 wrote: »
    Greed. Brokers don't think a recession is on right now.

    Brokers have had it tough the last few years, lower premiums meant lower commisions, numerous brokers have merged to try stop going out of business's.
    Insurance is a touchy subject that everyone loves to hate. Everyone hates the idea of a giant company making millions of profit, reality is that car, house, commercial etc costs insurance companies money i.e they don't make a profit on it. Profit is made from investing money & as the markets are in serious trouble so are insurance companies, hence the rise in premiums to try compensate.
    Someone else mentions about car repairs being cheaper, thats well & good but its the personal injuries that cost money.
    Example
    2 car collision, damage to both cars €20k
    4 people injured whiplash or worse, reserve €10k per person (guesstimate)
    INsurace costs on car A €700 car B €900

    Premium in: €1,600 Claims payment out: €60,000

    Now how many years do car A & B need to be insured for insurance company to make a profit........

    Yes not everyone has crashes but above is a moderate example to highlight the aul cash in cash out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭Keith C


    from PIAB website

    http://www.injuriesboard.ie/eng/Estimator/

    Neck injuries
    Up to €14,400 – Minor whiplash neck injury – good recovery within 12 months
    €11,500 to €17,400 – Moderate whiplash neck injury – substantially recovered within 24 months
    €15,900 to €64,500 – Significant ongoing whiplash injury
    €59,400 to €78,400 – Severe neck whiplash injury (serious and permanent condition)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,065 ✭✭✭Fighting Irish


    Barty wrote: »
    I thought that's what he meant but I think Raviravi was right not to go with the AA. The AA initially said they couldn't provide a cheaper quote but then once Raviravi said they were going to go with the 123 quote the AA dropped their quote. It's like you have to haggle with the insurance company!

    Anyhow, I don't want to go OT here - I think it just shows that shopping around is always beneficial and I don't understand why some people don't take the time to shop around :)

    And whats the problem with that, they are a business, and like every other business their one goal is to make a profit


  • Advertisement
Advertisement