Great people, great value. (Abbey National)

Member Name: The Operator

Product:	Abbey National
Date:	08/05/01 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No penalty for direct debit, low excesses

Disadvantages: Can't think of any

Something of a first for me, keeping my motor insurer for 2 years running.
Every year, like most people, I have a frantic hunt around trying to get some decent MI just before the policy runs out, usually without much success.

This year I thought I'd try the web. I'll give you a tip, don't bother, it's a waste of time and effort. Most sites take a few details and then give you a very favourable quote. When you try and refine it a bit you find it can change very rapidly. Upwards.

I was getting nowhere until I got my renewal notice from Abbey National. I couldn't believe it, they were only asking £11.40 more than last year. Then I got another quote from my previous insurers saying they had a special deal for over 40s and as I had just reached the magic age, I qualified. They undercut AN by a lot but then I looked at the details.
They were basing the quote on £350 voluntary and £350 compulsory excess. So not even worth thinking about for that annoying scrape down the parking bollard then. Whereas Abbey National were basing their quote on only £100 compulsory excess and no voluntary.
Additionally, and this is very rare, there was to be no penalty for paying by direct debit, one of the reasons I went there last year. I don't know about you but I object to being charged 10% extra just because the insurers don't have all my dosh upfront. I don't know why they don't publicise this more, seems like a good selling point to me. Come to think of it, they hardly advertise at all. Maybe this is one of the reasons they can keep their costs down.
I've also got full protected no claims bonus, legal and £500 max on the stereo and mobile.
Oh, I nearly forgot, they were really friendly on the phone when I renewed.

Now I think that's great value for money.

Summary: