Just had renewal notices for the house building-and-contents, and the car. The house insurance premium had increased by exactly one third since last year (we made no claims during the year and there was no change in the cover), while the car remained about the same as last year.
Rang the company ref the house insurance and made my best Colonel Angry of Tonbridge Wells noises about the "totally unwarranted hike in the premium; there's a financial crisis going on out here, don't ya know, eh, what?" "Would you like to speak to our Loyalty Advisor?" said the nice lady. 'Loyalty Advisor'? This was a new one on me, so I agreed. Ten seconds of Frank Sinatra later, and a smooth lady came on and immediately knocked £140 off the total of £472; no change in the cover - just for the sake of asking!!
On a roll, I rang the motor insurance people and got 10% taken straight off the renewal quotation, again just for the cost of the call (or was it an 0800 number?).
Moral is not to pay up without ringing the beggars first - unless you own a brokerage!
BTW I actually blew both of them out, went to another big-name company for both policies and saved myself a total of £297 (nearly 40%).
Suit yourselves, eh?
FLJ
