If I had hair I'd tear it out!

[scribbler]

I know this is a well worn path but why does renewing bike insurance have to be so frustrating. For example, MCE my current insurer insist on customers  filling out a fresh quotation online form before issuing a new quote which turns out to be £60 more than last year. Why not just give a renewal figure and ask if there have been any changes in the last 12 months.
I declined their quote  and went through the tedium of  filling in my details on a comparison site only to find that because I passed my bike test at 16 in 1971 their form isn't programmed to recognise this. I had to use my car licence pass date to get past this stage.
Then right at the end when you are ready to pay the small print tells you that by paying you agree to automatic renewal. WTF! Cancelled the first quote on the spot. Went to the next one on the list and same again. Reluctantly agreed to the terms and instead of leaving the insurer's site satisfied with my deal,  I felt I had been conned and manipulated and in no way would I recommend my new insurer. What a way to start a relationship with a customer. What's wrong with having an opt out box for auto renewal if you are confident in your service. Its because as we all know they want to trap us in a more expensive deal when renewal comes round. Of course, we can opt out at any time by telephoning their call centre. Anyone tried that lately? Call centres are impenetrable at the moment. Grrrr....

[Jfro5867]

I renewed my car insurance on Friday. Like you nothing has changed, quote was £50 more than last year. I can't be bothered with all the comparing websites, rather scratch my face with sandpaper. I rang the Insurer and did what I do EVERY year which was moan about it, so they took £30 off. So it's still £20 more but it feels like a small victory. Yep, agree with you a complete pain in the backside.

[hoppicker]

Just renewed the insurance on my 3 Hondas through Bennetts. £80 CHEAPER than last year. Other than wading through the phone system it was easy. Normally its like you chaps have said, a complete PITA. 

[Hartley]

I’ve never had to fill out the forms again to get a quote at renewal time on my car or bikes.
Out of interest, did your insurance company tell you what you paid last year? As I understand it they have to tell you want you paid last time when renewal time comes around. I wonder if this resubmitting the details avoids that?

Automatic renewal is pretty standard these days, they say that this is to ensure that you don’t end up with no insurance. That said I’ve always received my renewal notice a good time before any money is taken.

Every year I play the “ is that the best price?“  game with my insurers. Premium reduced by nearly 90 quid on my car just a few days ago.

For the record, car is with Admiral and Bemoto insure my bikes.

[GA VFR]

Yes, rates go up and coverage goes down.  One year SF stated that the rate increase was due to a lot of claims that year, I have never made a claim.  But its pool, and everyone pays and some use it

[Jfro5867]

I am with Bennetts on my bike but never found them to be that cheap TBH. I am going to give that Be-Moto  a go next spring though at renewal time. I notice a number of YouTube bloggers seem to get very cheap prices.

[scribbler]

Hi Hartley yes last years price was quoted. Auto renewal shouldn't become the norm. It used to be that you could tick a box to opt out. Insurers don't want us looking for comparative quotes and use auto renewal in the hope a large percentage of customers will keep rolling their cover over.
I'm back at Bennetts who quoted £95 against £153 by MCE but its odds on Bennetts quote next year will bounce up. After all I'm such a bad risk having never made a claim in the last 20 years!

[noddy]

Me too. I nearly went with MCE as the cheapest and then noticed they don't cover riding other bike. Then I nearly went with Bennett's until I realised that if I make a claim I'm down to 3 years NCB from 9. Ended up with Swinton who charge £50 to make any change to the policy. Seemed the last bad option.

John