Looking for Feedback on Switching Car Insurance Providers

welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 16:34

I'm considering switching my car insurance from NRMA to others to reduce my monthly premium. Currently, I'm with NRMA for an 8 year old car, which I mostly use for short trips. Starting next year, I'll have a three-day-a-week commute to work, so I'm reassessing my options. I will likely stay with comprehensive.

I've looked into a few alternatives, including YouI, Coles, ING, and Virgin. All seems cheaper than NRMA. With EveryDayInsurance (Wollies) I’d lose the option to choose my repair shop, which NRMA & others currently offers. If anyone has experience with any of these insurers—particularly regarding claims service and repair flexibility—I'd really appreciate your input.

I had a very few incidents in the past. Whenever there was any issue, NRMA never asked for anything further. I just called them. Took my car to a nearby repairer I know. And everything worked out right away.

Are others as nice as NRMA?

Financial Car Insurance Insurance

Comments

  • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 16:43

    I’d lose the option to choose my repair shop

    This is only really required if you drive an exotic where you may want a specific repairer that specialises in that make/model.

    Insurance companies give lifetime guarantees on the repairs that they authorise so probably not a big deal for your average 8yo car.

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 16:48

      Thanks. This was my first car that I bought brand new 8 years back. I randomly choose that repair shop. And the guy over there seemed nice. I myself know zero inside of a car. I just know how to drive.

      • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 17:03

        I just know how to drive.

        So it was a not a fault claim?

        • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 17:17
          +1

          Not my fault. Nope. I made 1 claim in last 5 years. not my fault.

  • 87percent on 13/11/2024 - 17:18

    i've been doing the quotes with most of the companies on my renewal, and it varies from $1600 to $2750!!

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 17:19

      I just found one at huddle. Way cheaper than NRMA. I am confused why so much difference.

      • MS Paint on 13/11/2024 - 17:28
        +4

        Really cheap car insurance companies tend to have poor customer service and can drag their heels when it comes to claims. Avoid them IMHO.

        • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 17:34

          Will keep that in mind

          • soan papdi on 13/11/2024 - 17:55

            @welcomeUniverseWorld: Get a policy with the cheap one and get another quote at your preferred insurer for a new policy. You might get a good deal since you’re a “new” customer. Don’t have to stay too long with the cheapie insurer, just a week maybe.

            • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 18:00

              @soan papdi: I do not understand. Do you mean my insurance might come down if I switch now to the cheap one and then try with preferred one later?

              • soan papdi on 13/11/2024 - 18:02
                +1

                @welcomeUniverseWorld: I have a very strong suspicion that when you request a quote, insurers check if you’re an existing customer and don’t compete for your business. If you leave and come back, a lot of insurers like budget direct have discounts for the first year for new customers. So the easiest way to become a new customer is to leave and come back. If you’re going to leave your preferred insurer anyway, this is worth a try

                • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 18:03

                  @soan papdi: hmm. Good point

                • hagendaaz on 04/12/2024 - 16:03

                  @soan papdi: @soan papdi based on my experience today - see comment below - this is not the case. Suncorp sent me a pumped up renewal, after looking around I checked Suncorp for a quote and got the best price there, quoted generated using my registration so they could have checked. Quote was lower than my previous premium and less than half what @87percent was looking at!

      • Webber000 on 17/11/2024 - 19:13

        Been with huddle a long time as they were always cheapest. Never had to claim but their customer service is very good. Except a few years back they changed it so you have to "book an appointment slot" for them to call you back - however I have their original phone number which still works and gets you straight through to someone - so as others have said you do get a bit less (them trying to go online only etc) compared to NRMA. They also offer a low km policy if you don't drive much. They're owned by the same people who do woolies insurance (which costs a bit more but gives you 10% off woolies so work out which is best for you). If others say they have bad experience making claims then fair enough - I've never had to claim with anyone.

    • Bruceflix on 13/11/2024 - 18:11
      -2

      Those prices are insane. Are you driving a Lambo? Or very poor driving record? Or under 25? Or a combo of all three.

      • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 18:27
        -1

        I did not mention price here in this thread

        • Bruceflix on 13/11/2024 - 18:36
          -1

          I replied to @87percent who did mention prices

          So you literally downvoted because you can't follow a thread. No wonder you can't even work out insurance.

          • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 18:48
            -1

            @Bruceflix: $1600 is equal to around 117 a month for a comprehensive. It is quite reasonable and what I am seeing around on the low end as well.

            • Bruceflix on 13/11/2024 - 19:07

              @welcomeUniverseWorld: 1600÷12=133.33

              Which i would consider to be on the premium end of insurance. Very low excess, hire car, new car replacement, etc.

              Your division skills also explain why you can't work out insurance

      • 87percent on 13/11/2024 - 19:08
        +1

        No, I’m a 16 year old driving a Rolls Royce, but I do have a great driving record.

  • kosy on 13/11/2024 - 17:46

    Progressive have been great for our family.

  • sumyungguy on 13/11/2024 - 18:32
    +6

    In case it helps, here's a breakdown by underwriter which is why the quoting interfaces will feel familiar. Not guaranteed up-to-date.
    Suncorp: Suncorp, AAMI, GIO, Apia, Bingle, Shannons | Hollard: Australian Seniors, CBA, Woolworths | Allianz: Allianz, National Seniors | IAG: NRMA, CGU, ROLLiN’, Coles, RACV | QBE: QBE, Australia Post | Auto & General: Budget Direct, Qantas, Virgin Money, ING Bank | RACQ: RACQ, Aldi | Youi: Youi | Hannover: Real | Pacific International Insurance: PD

    • chrisie on 13/11/2024 - 18:49

      Thanks :)

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 13/11/2024 - 18:49

      Oh ok. That is why it looks so simialr

    • Tsquared on 14/11/2024 - 22:11
      +1

      Coles in now under Auto & General

    • ol mate on 06/12/2024 - 16:03

      A few banks also offer Allianz policies.

      PDSs are slightly different (seem to be modelled off older Allianz ones, rather than the current policies), but seem to be cheaper ($1650 vs $2k at my last renewal, but with a $150 eGC on the $1650 quote via Westpac)

  • thirstyfordeals on 13/11/2024 - 21:06

    How you browsed AHM car insurance?

    • sumyungguy on 13/11/2024 - 21:10
      +1

      Just checked that one: AHM is Hollard

  • Hardlyworkin on 14/11/2024 - 08:24

    Just put your info into a comparison website. Well not your phone number, someone's you don't like.

    I've always found Budget to be the cheapest. I'm more concerned with price than customer service if and when I ever need it.

  • this is us on 17/11/2024 - 19:17
    +1

    Every 12 months you should check 4 or 5 insurance providers and male your decision. They always increase premiums which makes loyalty very difficult (and shows that they don't care about loyalty anyway). Just compare your options and move if you find something cheaper.

    AAMI often cheaper for me but RACV used to be cheaper (not anymore, for no clear reason as I have no claims).

  • hagendaaz on 04/12/2024 - 16:00

    Going through this now so I'll add my experience.
    Car is with Suncorp, renewal bumed up by about $100.

    I don't bother with NRMA, Allianz, QBE, RACQ. I have always found them to be excessively priced so never used them. To answer the question above on why they are so expensive, I put it down to the lazy tax - they are the big names so get the most traffic and most don't go past them. Bit like going to Telstra or Optus.

    I have two cars, one with Suncorp and one with AAMI. Despute being the same underwriter the quotes I recieved were skew, for one car AAMI was high and Suncorp low, vice versa for the other car. I usually check AAMI, Suncorp, Youi and Budget Direct. I have used all of these and never had any customer service issues or difficulty with claims. Over the last few years I have found Youi and BD to be expensive.

    Checked Huddle and AHM based on the comments here. Huddle matched AAMI's quote. AHM was lower. The final one I checked was Suncorp (crrent insurer) and the quote was the lowest, about a hundered lower than my current premium and two hundred lower than the renewal they issued.

    • hagendaaz on 04/12/2024 - 16:07

      Didn't check Coles or Woolies, I've checked them in the past and they were not the lowest and had more restrictions.
      The duopoly get enough of my paypacket anyway so not using them out of principle.

  • nekro on 04/12/2024 - 16:07
    -1

    Have a look at budget direct.. recently had a not at fault claim with them and they were pretty good.

  • ChickenA on 06/12/2024 - 11:09

    I have been using PD for a few years, with my last renewal being Oct, and it was $500 cheaper than the next cheapest quote I could find.

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