[Petithamu]

I've really grown fond of this forum...I can always find answers...so another big question: Insurance!

We are just in the process of purchasing a car and I've been doing research on insurance, going to different comparison sites, also called Direct Line cuz they've been advertising heavily.

The car:
2007 Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX 5 Door Manual
31K mileage
£7995
No modifications

The driver:
My husband
31 years old
First time driver, just got his license 2 weeks ago
No accidents, no points, no claim before, no previous record of anything
We live in N11 postcode
Car will be parked on the street as we have no driveway.

These are just the few things they asked, I'm sure you guys are familiar with the rest.

The quotes I'm getting are INSANE! It's under £1000 if our excess is £3000, otherwise I'm looking at £2800 - £3800 annual. Direct Line wouldn't even insure the car, said the premium would be over £10k!

How the heck can we insure this car?! Should we just take the higher excess and renew next year once he's had a year of experience on driving? I still can't believe these quotes...how can anyone in the UK afford insurance if you're a first time driver?! He's not even in his 20s...

Some help would be so appreciated! Thank you.

Tiffany

 

[ash_rage]

N11!

When I first passed my test I had a Fiesta Zetec S 1.2 (no mods). It was worth £3k, I lived in N22. My first year insurance was ... ... £3k (that was the cheapest)

 

[Petithamu]

N11!

When I first passed my test I had a Fiesta Zetec S 1.2 (no mods). It was worth £3k, I lived in N22. My first year insurance was ... ... £3k (that was the cheapest)

So it's because we live in N11?!

I just can't believe it...I'm still in shock...

Is it smarter to take the high excess and pay less annual fee?

I'm so confused...

 

[ash_rage]

So it's because we live in N11?!

I just can't believe it...I'm still in shock...

Is it smarter to take the high excess and pay less annual fee?

I'm so confused...

It won't be helping matters, its F* rated:

Car Insurance Postcode Groups - Postcode as rated by Car Insurers

 

[Petithamu]

It won't be helping matters, its F* rated:

Car Insurance Postcode Groups - Postcode as rated by Car Insurers

Ohh...I did not know this...so we're high risk...dang..

 

[xsprigganx]

It won't be helping matters, its F* rated:

Car Insurance Postcode Groups - Postcode as rated by Car Insurers

Thanks for the link, I can see why my insurance is so high. My area is classed as D

 

[dablink]

Is it smarter to take the high excess and pay less annual fee?

I'm so confused...

Thats what I did. I got my car brand new in 2009 (passed 1 week before I got my car). My insurance for the past 3 years always has a high excess of £3000. These insurances are usually for new drivers and to be honest if you are careful you would be fine. The rules are:

1. Don't get in a "fault claim" (don't hit someone's car from the rear or smash into someone's house or the council's light pole..)
2. Don't let your car get burnt or stolen cos you would lose £3000 from the value paid back to you (I think).

In summary...you would be fine if you are careful. I was in an accident last year http://www.civinfo.com/forum/insurance/65578-accident-situation.html and well it was the guy's fault. My car was repaired and I am happy with the work done.

Cheers
M

 

[wemorgan]

Add yourself as a 2nd named driver. When I added my wife to my policy for the first time it gave a significant reducing in the policy.

One of your key issues, apart from postcode, is your lack of no claims bonus. In time the premium will quickly reduce. My Civic now costs £300 and even a faster sports car would only be £500. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm sure you've trued the usual insurance comparison websites, but have you also tried Direct Line Car Insurance - UK Motor Insurer - Only Available Direct as I don't believe they are covered by the usual comparison sites.

 

[Petithamu]

Add yourself as a 2nd named driver. When I added my wife to my policy for the first time it gave a significant reducing in the policy.

One of your key issues, apart from postcode, is your lack of no claims bonus. In time the premium will quickly reduce. My Civic now costs £300 and even a faster sports car would only be £500. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm sure you've trued the usual insurance comparison websites, but have you also tried Direct Line Car Insurance - UK Motor Insurer - Only Available Direct as I don't believe they are covered by the usual comparison sites.

Oh, I did call Direct Line...and the guy on the phone was really rude...and after answering all the questions, he said we're uninsurable as it would be £10,000 in premium...I nearly choked on my water...

 

[James1989]

As other people say postcode is in a high risk area...... Your best bet is to shop around but also modify the quote place yourself as the main user if you haven't claimed and been driving longer.

With insurance sometimes logic does apply, for example if you declare your the only driver and you declare 10k miles a year...... It's a higher risk than putting 2 drivers down on 10k miles per year as you can be driving half and half therefore representing a better risk.

Personally I would never suggest (I work in insurance for NFU Mutual) to have a higher excess than £500 as the risk really is not worth the saving!

Hopefully it's of help, pleas quote if I can assist any further

James

 

[Hotchy]

Phone admiral they seem to be the cheapest for most people, add an experienced driver on as second driver, saved me near £400.

 

[ash_rage]

Thanks for the link, I can see why my insurance is so high. My area is classed as D

no probs buddy.

 

[Petithamu]

Finally found a quote that seemed reasonable, from Admiral and Elephant but from what I understood, they are all under the same umbrella...

The quote is £1300 with a £650 excess fee...

Problem now is...both of them have the worst reviews!! This is about the only one we can realistically afford but the reviews are scaring me...

Anyone had any experience with either one of them?

 

[ash_rage]

Finally found a quote that seemed reasonable, from Admiral and Elephant but from what I understood, they are all under the same umbrella...

The quote is £1300 with a £650 excess fee...

Problem now is...both of them have the worst reviews!! This is about the only one we can realistically afford but the reviews are scaring me...

Anyone had any experience with either one of them?

Yes I used them for years. Never had any problems with them. Ignore the reveiws, you only ever hear about bad service.

 

[Petithamu]

Yes I used them for years. Never had any problems with them. Ignore the reveiws, you only ever hear about bad service.

Oh thanks! Have you ever had to make a claim? And is it normal to have a 10 months insurance versus 12 months?

Thanks!

Tiffany

 

[ash_rage]

Oh thanks! Have you ever had to make a claim? And is it normal to have a 10 months insurance versus 12 months?

Thanks!

Tiffany

Yes I did. Someone smashed my wing mirror off whilst my car was parked. The third party was with Admiral and I was with Elephant.

They resolved it within two hours and I had a cheque in the post two days later.

I beleive insurers provide 10 month covers to drive the cost down, a marketing tool to make people think its cheaper.

 

[Petithamu]

Yes I did. Someone smashed my wing mirror off whilst my car was parked. The third party was with Admiral and I was with Elephant.

They resolved it within two hours and I had a cheque in the post two days later.

I beleive insurers provide 10 month covers to drive the cost down, a marketing tool to make people think its cheaper.

Oh that sounds good. All the reviews had to do with claims...but good to know someone got a good service!

You've been very helpful, thank you!

 

[Alanok]

Your best bet is to shop around but also modify the quote place yourself as the main user if you haven't claimed and been driving longer.

Isn't that against the law, 'Fronting' I think it's called.

I've also used Elephant over the years, had a claim which they dealt with quickly and efficiently.

 

[Kremmen]

I think the problem here is buying a car for your use so quick after passing the test.

Can you be a named driver on someone else's car and just use it occasionally for practice until you have more years and experience under your belt?

Especially in high risk areas.

 

[Chris_h]

As with the past few posts I've been with admiral the past 4 years and have no problems always.been he cheapest on renewal. Yes, admiral, elephant, bell and I think one other are all the same company I've found on renewal getting a quote from one of the other arms of the company has been cheaper and then admiral have always matched it.