Ding Dong, Bell Direct (Bell Direct)

Member Name: makro74

Product:	Bell Direct
Date:	11/11/08 (104 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap at times, efficient, and reliable insurance

Disadvantages: Tend to hurt you more financially if you increase your risk marginally

Bell Direct is an insurance company part of the Admiral Group offering insuring services

Service

Naturally if you are looking for car insurance you would shop around to look for the cheapest deal. In my opinion the greatest thing the Bell offered when calling around was a complete comprehensive detail of the facts in a highly commendable manner. The only downsite was they use 0870 or 0844 numbers which aren't exactly cheap. But generally I found the staff very useful.

Price

Bell, are cheap and offer good invitation prices with perks thrown in. Except, I found that whatever promotion to get you to sign up is getting a cheap quote, that cheap policy does not last. And they are cheap to under 25's, the odd penalty points and non- NCB's compared to competitors. When I first took out a policy, they were efficient and cheap offering monthly instalments or pay in full.

Policies

Policies are the usual straightforward underwritten car insurance. That is 3rd Party and Comprehensive. Provided you do not make a claim or incur penalty points you tend to get a good deal especially if you take out legal and personal assisstance. I have had both 3rd party and fully comprehensive insurance with them and generally have been impressed by the clear and concise places of reference for claims and procedures. All your documents are all in one pack ie certificate, schedule, and othe information.
One of their policies is that they have is their 10 month accelerator policy ie giving you a full years NCB after only 10. However, this is useful only if you need to build up you NCB pretty fast, but you can be decieved into thinking you premium is cheap since it covers you only for 10 months rather than 12. Per month it costs more. But for that you get a discount built in your NCB the following year.

Renewals
Now this is the clever and efficient bit about Bell. Towards the end of your policy they send out a renewal letter stating your period of cover and the need to renew. But rather than 'troubling' you, they say that we need to do nothing as they will renew automatically unless I wish to cancel. Naturally, people won't want to ring their 0844, 0871 numbers and certainly don't wish for the hassle. Also if there are no claims then the discount is applied and the premium is cheaper.

There is however, one problem, and I think this is where Bell are clever in their subtle wordings in order for people to renew. Bell certainly address customers in such a way that they rather say ok. But when one takes the trouble to look, the premium that goes down is only by a small percentage. For example, 1 yr NCB £527, next year renewal was £489. After the third year (30months) it went to £424. If you go to Bell as a new customer with 3years you would get a cheaper quote (believe me I've tried it!).

Claims or convictions
The one thing great about Bell is how it handles its claims. Speed and efficiency is brilliant with Bell whether it is your fault or not. They will be ready and on hand throughout the procedure to clear an open case whoever is liable. And suprisingly, by making a claim which maybe a 50/50 or possibly personal fault, they take away your NCB by 2 years, but they will do with non-prejudice. ie they will not substantially increase your premium since was not fully established. However, liability if blatantly yours then naturally prices will increaase.

Convictions for Driving Offences.
To be honest I was quite happy with Bell, for their customer service and other bits and pieces. But they shoot themselves in the feet over petty and honest declerations, Currently, I have two vehicles insured, one for my business and one personal. The business vehicle is insured for £980 for 12 months with 7 years NCB with another company. The other is insured with Bell with 3 years NCB and just over £400. Both were renewed this autumn. One unfortunate problem though which had to be declared. In the summer I picked two SP30's in as many months. Both in the space of 6weeks of each other on a licence which was relatively clean.
This is the strange thing, which caused me to cancel with Bell. The six points acquired were a problem for the Bell insurance, but not a penny was added to the Business vehicle. Bell reassessed the premium and quoted me a whopping £840 for my car insurance. Naturally, I protested and they went away and tried to discount. They came back with a £66 discount. Relectantly I initially accepted after protesting.

But when I went to the same company who insure my business vehicle for private insurance for my car, they gave me on 3yrs NCB a quote of £356! Wow! I jumped at it and immediately cancelled with Bell.

Final thought

I woudn't necessarly lay the blame squarely on Bell for me cancelling, but the industry generally is competive and works to invite customers in then make the most money out them when they stick. So in essence, when renewal comes up, insurance companies will never give you the best deal, but when you look around you tend to find a much better deal. Having said that, I stuck with Bell because of the level of service and the ease of use, and for that to pay a little extra is not so bad, but obviously within reason.
Remember, also that Bell is not a broker, it operates as many companies do under its own underwriting (or Admiral's) which makes things operate far faster than a broker who keeps chasing the underwriting company for processing or decisions. So, in my view, Bell Direct is a great company to have insurance from but limits itself to certain criteria. If you fall outside expect your premiums to be higher than normal, if you are inside then you will normally have a realtively cheap and smooth policy with them, Just don't get points on your licence!!

Thanks - Mak 2008

Summary: Great for new insurance, bad financially for incidents and other minor problems