Can You Still Call up for Discounts (Energy, Insurance, Mobile, etc.)

Oipjo on 10/07/2023 - 16:22
Last edited 10/07/2023 - 16:22

Keeping it relatively short. I've got 3 kids, under 3, I'm incredibly run down, inflation is high and all that good stuff.

  • I've had Optus push a change ($35/month (last 10 years) > $49/month; offering less data).
  • I've had Origin Energy change up the plan and increase everything except the solar feed-in tariff.
  • I've had NRMA increase car insurance costs, home insurance costs, the lot.
  • I've had HCF pump the costs on Private Health.

The emerging trend is that in the past I've called all of these companies when the increases happen, and generally I've been able to sweet talk a minor decrease (or at least below the offer made on renewal); and very consistently been able to get a below market rate price - (pay upfront, increase excess, loyalty etc.) It seems that they're only now willing to peg you to the market advertised rate, and not offer any negotiation. Cost is up; deal with it (even if you have competitor rates ready to show you've done research). Retention teams also seem to not be pro-actively calling, as they once did.

Am I receiving the wrong people on the end of the line? Is all that instant coffee making me sound short, and bitter?

Is there still any benefit to waiting 45min on the phone to get to someone requesting a review/a minor renewal discount? Or have they all dried up?

Poll Options

  • 18
    Yes; its easy
  • 1
    Yes; its hard
  • 3
    Yes; only after you've left
  • 8
    No
Financial

Comments

  • Benoffie on 10/07/2023 - 16:28
    +1

    You need to compare and look at other ways of getting the same thing cheaper. HCF for example, have only gone up after essentially freezing for the better part of 2 years.

    HCF offer top level via automobile associations (well, at least with RAA), so check your NRMA membership and see if they are doing a deal (I going to assume you have one given the other insurance).

    Id also be looking for multi policy discounts and making sure they arent hitting you with flood premiums for no reason.

    • Oipjo on 10/07/2023 - 16:57

      look at other ways of getting the same thing cheaper

      I have tried this in the past, someone will no doubt refer to an older post I made (no - I didn't go through with it!)

      I'll check and see if NRMA has an association with HCF. I was on a corporate deal via work in the past; but ~2 years ago it had shrunk a considerable amount, I was able to perform better by approaching them independently.

      I've hit up multi-policy for the past few years (we were GIO). Premiums nearly double year-on-year, due to being a part of a very large postcode (~20-30 suburbs; some of which is new, and some in an area impacted by a river that swelled ~20km from home). Flood is definitely excluded, I had a small discount by calling up last year; but it was around removing features, lower cover, etc. rather than any discretionary discount. This year initially it was seen to be quite a high premium, but after assessing; already doing everything possible to reduce, and can not provide any further reduction.

      The poll seems to be erring in the side of "Yes, its easy" so perhaps I'm lacking in charm, and charisma - will have a big sleep, coffee, kids to bed, and try again! A few years back I had more energy for these calls, take my time, joke around, leave everyone feeling good - now I admittedly do struggle, I'm more pressured for time, my jokes aren't as well received, and once they say there isn't much they can do, I am quick to thank them for their time so I can get back to the kids.

      • Benoffie on 10/07/2023 - 17:52

        If NRMA are excluding flood then definitely shop around.

        I called RAA asking re flood, panicked that family was going to get hit by premium increases due to a creek about 500m away.

        They quite reassuringly confirmed flood was still a standard part of their policy.

        And, to give you an idea, $500k house, $200k contents and $700 excess came to $1164 this year (before mulyi policy discount)

        • Oipjo on 11/07/2023 - 15:28

          I do have a look around each time at renewal.

          For comparison, Western Sydney NSW - $800k rebuild, $50k contents at $1000 excess… Comes to $2500 this year, was $1600 last year (neither having flood). There was an increase in cover amount (inflation/cost of building), which I opted to reduce back down to same values to reduce to ~$2400. No changes in policy details.

          Loyalty of 6 years and 6 policies (not sure how that works, as far as I know it is CTP+car+house = 3, and was definitely with GIO 2 years ago)

          I know each suburb/post code is ranked differently, as I mentioned, our post code is huge; would be great if they rezoned the newer estates, rather than merging with the other 20+ suburbs that share it.

          Unfortunately RAA "only insure homes in South Australia or Broken Hill" (strange choice including Broken Hill). I do shop around though, I had some comparable numbers from another insurer (~$2300 YOUI/AAMI) but hard to match policy like-for-like to get them to match the dollars. Would have affected our multipolicy discount for the cars as well; so agreed to the $2400.

          • Benoffie on 11/07/2023 - 15:43

            @Oipjo: Yeah that jump is a little nuts. Not that it hasn't been happening in SA - the national insurances here have been jacking prices up - family member got hit with a 'flood premium' in a suburb called Findon because the River Torrens passes through it. I think it last 'flooded' like 40 years go?

            There's definitely a level of price gouging going on in an attempt to recoup losses made through bad policy decisions over the last decade or so.

            I am not sure precisely where one would suffer a flood in Western Sydney. That too seems like a long bow. I mean, sure, the Nepean maybe but what are they planning on doing? Hitting everyone with that possibility? Seems so.

            Did a search for flood included premiums for NSW/ACT. Obviously you'll need to check and adjust to suit but it'll give you a start:

            https://tinyurl.com/yk85x7r9

            Good luck! :)

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/07/2023 - 16:55
    +4

    Might be worth reviewing how often you do use private health. Eg I’m with medibank , but basically only using the dental and occasionally physio…

    As for optus, maybe consider looking at prepaid options like boost or Coles or low cost options like belong.

    • Oipjo on 10/07/2023 - 17:08
      +1

      Private Heath is mostly on tax reasons. Wife remains home as primary carer for the kids, but I have everyone on the policy. I do have extras for dental, but overall think it may be cheaper to book appointments (as needed); keeping as-is for now, bare minimum+dental. GP appointments, and emergency care would almost always be through Medicare for us (though a different discussion, I see Medicare becoming less effective now, we may need to start 'using' private in future)

      I found when I did have a premium health cover, it was easier to negotiate, as there was more 'fat' in the policy; but overall, saved costs by not using Private Health and having it there to avoid the surcharging only.

      For mobile, I am thinking to go Aldi prepaid, but will check out Boost, or Belong, as I had no luck negotiating switching to market rate plan with Optus - thank you!

    • koplik8 on 12/07/2023 - 15:59

      You are right! You can save so much money by shopping around for better mobile phone and NBN plans. Cut down on your streaming subscriptions too. I use YouTube Premium and that's about it now. I get Prime free with Amazon. I use to have a heap of other ones but found I was paying for them and not using them.

      Look at Felix for your mobile $35 a month and all unlimited including data. As long as you get good Vodafone reception at home. Check your bill and see how much data you are actually using. Most of the time I'm connected to Wi-Fi at home

  • Brucegonemad on 10/07/2023 - 19:06
    -1

    Earn more, worry less.

    • Oipjo on 11/07/2023 - 15:14

      Earned more in the past; but at what cost?

      I took a significant pay-cut after birth of our second child to be more present for family, and help my wife due to him needing extra attention. Over-all it has been worth it for everyone, but then began the waves of inflation. Priority is being a present dad!

      With great salary, comes great(er) responsibility.

      • Brucegonemad on 11/07/2023 - 16:19

        Earning a salary sucks, business income is MUCH more preferred!

  • Ponsonby on 10/07/2023 - 20:40

    For mobile, depending on how much data you use have you looked at annual prepaid deals such as Amaysim (Optus network) or Boost (full Telstra network) - works about between $10 and $20 per month when purchase annually,

    For energy, if you have the time, do some research on energymadeeasy.gov.au. or wattever.com.au and either ditch Origin for the best deal you can find or go to Origin with the best deal and ask them to match it. Energy companies do not show necessarily show their best deals on their websites - they stay hidden until you complain.

    • Oipjo on 11/07/2023 - 15:42

      Will definitely be swapping out mobile providers, as I WFH primarily, and my wife is mostly at home with the kids as well; I'd use ~2GB/month, so $49 is overkill.

      In the past I've always ring up energy companies; and insurers, and been able to get a much better rate. I have had reduced luck over the phone since COVID - and this year, the "best deals" are "apply online" (market rate), or if trying to negotiate a renewal offer; simply not having any luck doing so (quoting inflation, cost of operation, etc.) I notice that applying online for a new policy ends up being dollar-for-dollar the same amount.

      Definitely in the process of shopping around; but feeling a bit defeated after a few push-backs.

      Just to give an idea; I'd save about 10-20% from market rate in the past, by calling up and enquiring; without compromising on cover.

      • clover on 12/07/2023 - 17:26

        That is a lot of effort for not switching and try stay with the same providers. I just switch to different ones every year (to get both bew customers bonus and market rate).As I have already done the work to know the best market rates available, it took less time to sign up to the new on than trying to sweet talk to the old one

  • Puglife on 10/07/2023 - 21:00
    +1

    Loyalty has been dead for ages. Nobody really gives you a deal. Its only available for "new customers" these days.
    New customers get the offers, loyal customers get the ass…

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