Insurance...**** me.

ottostreet

Girlfriends insurance is up for renewal. She paid 700 euro last year, her renewal letter came, and they quoted 1200 euro! I have since logged in to get online quotes, as a new customer, they want 1600! I have checked out a few online quotes tonight, and the cheapest I can find....1600! Last year, she didn't even struggle to get hers for 700.

Can anyone help me find an insurance company who is offering reasonable quotes?

25 year old female, driving a 1997 BMW 318ti automatic valued at 2000 euro, provisional licence held for 2 years with 2 years NCB in her own name. Based in Kilkenny.

Much obliged if anyone can help me out here.

charlemont

I think it could be related to some new EU directive about equality in insurance between male/female. Basically women will pay the same as men.

Anan1

Forget about online quotes - you (or rather she) needs to pick up the phone and ring every ins co and a good selection of brokers.

Pj!

In theory men's will be cheaper so

biko

Cheapest I've seen lately
AIG
Britton
also try quoteme.ie

Alanstrainor

I think AIG have some sort of deal for buying online now...that being said, they quoted me a quote of 2 times what I paid last year...eh no.

Britton are good for learners, but I'd imagine the age and type of car is going to seriously work against her.

As for the car value, surely 1000 is more realistic? Don't know how much of a difference that would make on the quote mind.

mullingar

The learner licence wouldn't help, did you experiment to see if a full licence brings it down?

ottostreet

AIG quoted 2200. I also checked it if the car was 5 years younger, it didnt change. I've tried loads of variations to try seeing what was causing the jump, but there doesn't seem to be anything.

I expected a jump, but not from 700 to 1200 minimum!

Merch

ottostreet wrote: »

Girlfriends insurance is up for renewal. She paid 700 euro last year, her renewal letter came, and they quoted 1200 euro! I have since logged in to get online quotes, as a new customer, they want 1600! I have checked out a few online quotes tonight, and the cheapest I can find....1600! Last year, she didn't even struggle to get hers for 700.

Can anyone help me find an insurance company who is offering reasonable quotes?

25 year old female, driving a 1997 BMW 318ti automatic valued at 2000 euro, provisional licence held for 2 years with 2 years NCB in her own name. Based in Kilkenny.

Much obliged if anyone can help me out here.

even though this may sound like I am putting the boot in here, I am not.
How is she driving for two years on a learner permit? in an automatic? would she not take the test, surely that would help drop the cost??
Also, do you mean minimum cost of 2000 for insurance?? a BMW 1997 is hardly worth 2k, is it? I'll have a look.
Maybe drop the value of the car, increase the excess and forget the online calculators, plus get onto a broker
(Ive never tried a broker but from boards I hear its better than dealing straight with an insurance company direct, but even then, over the phone is better than trying to deal with an online calculator)

Alanstrainor

ottostreet wrote: »

AIG quoted 2200. I also checked it if the car was 5 years younger, it didnt change. I've tried loads of variations to try seeing what was causing the jump, but there doesn't seem to be anything.

I expected a jump, but not from 700 to 1200 minimum!

What's changed is EU equality directives...yay!

What's also going to work against her is the car, both type and age, and the learner permit. It sucks.

You're better off with brokers, for one, they'll check a lot of the companies for you and I often find you have better chance of squeezing a better deal out of a broker than you do directly from the insurance comp themselves. My last years policy was with Aviva i think, when calling them directly they quoted 500 more than the broker...details were identical.

ottostreet

Merch wrote: »

even though this may sound like I am putting the boot in here, I am not.
How is she driving for two years on a learner permit? in an automatic? would she not take the test, surely that would help drop the cost??
Also, do you mean minimum cost of 2000 for insurance?? a BMW 1997 is hardly worth 2k, is it? I'll have a look.
Maybe drop the value of the car, increase the excess and forget the online calculators, plus get onto a broker
(Ive never tried a broker but from boards I hear its better than dealing straight with an insurance company direct, but even then, over the phone is better than trying to deal with an online calculator)

She's on her last provisional, renewed three months ago. Test is booked in. We have declared value of 2000 on the car, because it hasnt made a difference to the quote whether its 1000 or 2000.

Yeah, shes gonna have to ring some brokers I think, the online quotes have been awful, just checked out a few for my own, and I've got a 300 euro increase on my usual quotes.

kona

E700 was very cheap, I'm 25 full licence 6 years , clean and full Ncb 7 years , I pay similar on a 182 Clio.

She's driving a car in the eyes of insurance companies which is high power and doesn't even have a full license. I'd say it's a fair quote all things considered.

ottostreet

I'm not sure why last year she did so well, but they are making up for it this year. She only has to drive five minutes every day, as she lives just far enough away from work to make it an uncomfortable walk, and can't cycle. That's why she never bothered with the test up til now. She's going to have to sit down and concentrate and get her hands on a full licence I think.

Alanstrainor

ottostreet wrote: »

I'm not sure why last year she did so well, but they are making up for it this year. She only has to drive five minutes every day, as she lives just far enough away from work to make it an uncomfortable walk, and can't cycle. That's why she never bothered with the test up til now. She's going to have to sit down and concentrate and get her hands on a full licence I think.

What are the online quotes like with a full? I'd wonder if there's that much of a difference?

kona

ottostreet wrote: »

I'm not sure why last year she did so well, but they are making up for it this year. She only has to drive five minutes every day, as she lives just far enough away from work to make it an uncomfortable walk, and can't cycle. That's why she never bothered with the test up til now. She's going to have to sit down and concentrate and get her hands on a full licence I think.

Try change the car to under 1.4 maybe?

joetoad

what is that a 1.8 litre?, own insurance and on a learners permit. Sounds like a bit of a bargain to me at 1200. I know shes female but its about time the equality thing came into play!!!

Cee-Jay-Cee

Does the 318ti have a 2.0litre engine? If she wants cheaper insurance she needs to get her full license and get a smaller engine car. Insurance companies here still use antiquated methods of calculating risk. Engine size, with no consideration as to how powerful or weak the engine is, determines the cost, value has very little to do with it. I had a huge row with AA insurance over it. I have a 2.0 liter petrol legacy which wheezes out a paltry 138bhp. The car is AWD which saps power and so leaves the car with performance similar or even less than that of a 1.4 liter car. AA were quoting me ridiculous prices and when I questioned it they said it was because of the engine size. No amount of explaining to the monkeys answering the phone could convince them that despite the engine being 2.0litre it wasn't a performance car and wasn't particularly fast. I eventually just hung up and rang someone else. 123.ie to be exact. They were the cheaoest.

RidleyRider

If she lives 5 mins from work, why does she need a 1.8 BMW? Why not just get a fiesta or something small engined?

Cabaal

ottostreet wrote: »

She's on her last provisional, renewed three months ago. Test is booked in.

If its been issued in say the last 5 years then its a learner permit not a provisional, doesn't matter if she has the test booked or not.

Until she actually has a full license it'll make no difference how many learner permit's she has held or how often she's booked the test.

Even with a full license I'd be skeptical if it'll take alot off the costs as she's still under 30 and driving what the company's consider a powerful car. Given she drives 5min a day surely a less powerful car would be in order?

I also note you mention it being an automatic, curious if this adds to the costs?

We have declared value of 2000 on the car, because it hasnt made a difference to the quote whether its 1000 or 2000.

Thats because its based on the power, she's driving a powerful car in the eye's of the insurance company.

furtzy

Sounds quite reasonable to me as well. Driving a 1.8 (might even be a 1.9) RWD car on a learners permit I would have thought it would even be more expensive. Not that it would make any difference but the value of 2000 on the car is way too high

Merch

ottostreet wrote: »

I'm not sure why last year she did so well, but they are making up for it this year. She only has to drive five minutes every day, as she lives just far enough away from work to make it an uncomfortable walk, and can't cycle. That's why she never bothered with the test up til now. She's going to have to sit down and concentrate and get her hands on a full licence I think.

Id have to agree with another poster, that sounds like a journey that could be done with another car, even a 1 litre, which will have all the same advantages of having a car (ie own transport, boot for shopping, ability to give lifts, keep you out of the rain and on etc etc) and be a hell of a lot cheaper.
Ok Im saying the usage sounds like it could be met by a 1litre but it might not suit all purposes, but it could easily be met by a fiesta sized car (1.25) and definitely by a 1.3-1.4 medium sized car in the focus size category.
It wont have the same poke but it would check all the other boxes.

ottostreet

I don't really get the licence thing myself to be honest, all I know is she has the test booked for next month. Renewal is prior to it though. She won't drive anything smaller, as she hates small cars mostly. In fact, she wants to swap to a 330ci/M3 later this year. Has to be automatic because she couldnt understand manuals, and was downright dangerous driving one.

She's having lessons, so fingers crossed she passes, because I would imagine the licence is the biggest cost. What I don't understand is the increase in cost since last year. She took out her initial insurance on a Glanza (she thought it cute at the time) and it was 1200 with a provisional she had just gotten, no NCB. Swapped to a E39 520i and it came down to 800, then the 318ti for 700 annual at renewal last year. No details have changed beyond her job, and yet it's increased by 500 quid or so!

I don't think it's really the actual cost I'm disputing, it's...why was it so cheap last year for the same girl with less experience in the same car? Surely the equality measures can't result in that massive a price jump?

kona

ottostreet wrote: »

I don't really get the licence thing myself to be honest, all I know is she has the test booked for next month. Renewal is prior to it though. She won't drive anything smaller, as she hates small cars mostly. In fact, she wants to swap to a 330ci/M3 later this year. Has to be automatic because she couldnt understand manuals, and was downright dangerous driving one.

If you still want a girlfriend Id steer her clear of this. Is she crazy?

Merch

ottostreet wrote: »

I don't really get the licence thing myself to be honest, all I know is she has the test booked for next month. Renewal is prior to it though. She won't drive anything smaller, as she hates small cars mostly. In fact, she wants to swap to a 330ci/M3 later this year. Has to be automatic because she couldnt understand manuals, and was downright dangerous driving one.

You seem to be revealing a bit more information now
Does she have any or did she aquire any points??

She's having lessons, so fingers crossed she passes, because I would imagine the licence is the biggest cost. What I don't understand is the increase in cost since last year. She took out her initial insurance on a Glanza (she thought it cute at the time) and it was 1200 with a provisional she had just gotten, no NCB. Swapped to a E39 520i and it came down to 800, then the 318ti for 700 annual at renewal last year. No details have changed beyond her job, and yet it's increased by 500 quid or so!

That could be a factor, maybe something has changed that she hasnt mentioned like points though??
With a Glanza history, is she partial to speed?

I don't think it's really the actual cost I'm disputing, it's...why was it so cheap last year for the same girl with less experience in the same car? Surely the equality measures can't result in that massive a price jump?

I think you have to factor everything in, did she have a minor tip with another car, maybe one where insignificant damage was done but a person still claimed maybe?

Cant think of anything else really other than the new regulations.

ottostreet

Nope, no claims, no points, no accidents, no interest in speed despite the cars I've mentioned, she just likes them. She's Asian and didn't realise the Glanza had a scummy image, she thought it was cute. And she couldn't drive a manual because...she's asian. And female. Wait, am I allowed say that when its about my girlfriend and not the general public?

Anyway, she's an average driver overall, but there is nothing on her record to boost the price so much. I have no hesitancy in being a passenger and letting her drive (as long as it's an auto!)

Cuddlesworth

ottostreet wrote: »

In fact, she wants to swap to a 330ci/M3 later this year.

And she will find quotes of 2-3k at the very least.

To make this clear, there is no more cheap quotes for young females. In context, she will be in the same boat as a 25 year old male, with 3 years NCB and a full license under a year. Not going to happen.

Atomic Pineapple

ottostreet wrote: »

Nope, no claims, no points, no accidents, no interest in speed despite the cars I've mentioned, she just likes them. She's Asian and didn't realise the Glanza had a scummy image, she thought it was cute. And she couldn't drive a manual because...she's asian. And female. Wait, am I allowed say that when its about my girlfriend and not the general public?

Anyway, she's an average driver overall, but there is nothing on her record to boost the price so much. I have no hesitancy in being a passenger and letting her drive (as long as it's an auto!)

Because of the EU directive she is basically getting the same quote as a male would get and I would expect that's where the increase has come from as it sounds about right for a male in her position, last year she got a large discount because she is female, this year the insurance company can't apply that saving and must charge the same as they would a male driver.

ottostreet

Grand so, didn't realise the equality thing would make such a huge difference.

Thanks for the replies. Hope she gets her full licence next month so.

All her smugness from last year come back to bite her lol. Now I can be the smug one with my 500 euro quotes!

ABajaninCork

CJC999 wrote: »

Does the 318ti have a 2.0litre engine?

No. It's a 1.8.

ironclaw

Pj! wrote: »

In theory men's will be cheaper so

Not a chance. Far easier to increase womens (More margin) and keep the gents at the same level. As much as I agree with the no differentiation, its an excuse for insurance companies to bring up their prices across the board. Did anyone's insurance go down last year? I doubt it.

ottostreet

1.9 actually, its the 1895 unit from the 318is. M44 engine.

RidleyRider

ottostreet wrote: »

I don't really get the licence thing myself to be honest, all I know is she has the test booked for next month. Renewal is prior to it though. She won't drive anything smaller, as she hates small cars mostly. In fact, she wants to swap to a 330ci/M3 later this year. Has to be automatic because she couldnt understand manuals, and was downright dangerous driving one.

She's having lessons, so fingers crossed she passes, because I would imagine the licence is the biggest cost. What I don't understand is the increase in cost since last year. She took out her initial insurance on a Glanza (she thought it cute at the time) and it was 1200 with a provisional she had just gotten, no NCB. Swapped to a E39 520i and it came down to 800, then the 318ti for 700 annual at renewal last year. No details have changed beyond her job, and yet it's increased by 500 quid or so!

I don't think it's really the actual cost I'm disputing, it's...why was it so cheap last year for the same girl with less experience in the same car? Surely the equality measures can't result in that massive a price jump?

Well, the glanza is no beast on the road so why did she drive that? The fact of this thread is, either she downgrades the car to something smaller or pays the 1200. There are permit holders in the same position as her who are paying the same amount for the privilege of driving a zetec fiesta. The clever thing would have been to have done the test years ago and she would have been happily pottering about in her BMW.

Have you tried ringing the insurance company and barter them down? There's always room to haggle;)

tunner

Hi just saw this post. My wife had same thing happen. She was with tesco last year and it was €280. Renewal letter was €890. Called them and they stated eu thing too. Bull.!

Finally got a quote of €295 from this crowd who were recommended to me before.
Try them

http://www.munstergroup.com/pages/Private_Motor.htm

Cee-Jay-Cee

ottostreet wrote: »

I don't really get the licence thing myself to be honest, all I know is she has the test booked for next month. Renewal is prior to it though. She won't drive anything smaller, as she hates small cars mostly. In fact, she wants to swap to a 330ci/M3 later this year. Has to be automatic because she couldnt understand manuals, and was downright dangerous

I doubt if she'll even get quoted on either of those cars and for someone driving 5 minutes to/from work she's going to be paying stupid money in petrol costs. An automatic M3 will manage low teens mpg figures on short start/stop journeys and I'd imagine a 330ci won't be much better. Tax is going to 1500+ a year and even if she gets someone to quote her for insurance she's looking at at least double what she's been quoted for the 318 so 4000 a year minimum for tax and insurance before she even puts petrol in it and then servicing costs for both cars are not cheap.

To be perfectly honest she sounds like someone who has given no thought to what owning such a car will entail and again being honest if what you say about her ability to drive manuals is true, she shouldn't be allowed to drive such a powerful cars at all IMO.

ottostreet

All very true. However, I'm not particularly worried about whether she drives a powerful car later on or not. She was incompetent when it came to gear changes and understanding a clutch, she's not bad at everything else. She's not a fantastic driver, but I wouldn't be worried about her in one as long as it was auto. Up to her how she wants to spend her money car wise, I actually am pretty proud of her for desiring an M3, even if it would be wasted on her.

This has gone off topic a bit hasnt it! lol, well first thing is first, she needs to get that full licence. She's not happy about the massive increase in her insurance when she hasn't changed anything or done anything wrong, but it looks like she's going to have to take it and bear it. After we've contacted the extra suggestions of brokers/companies of course. Thanks.

RidleyRider

Was that EU thing in where men and women pay equal prices for there insurance last time she renewed her insurance? This could be it otherwise..