i was wondering if anyone else has been duped into taking out insurance with this collection of companies.
i found Fresh Insurance 'for men' on a comparison site.. i went with them, as i was given a good quote, and negotiated a £150 excess on my fully comp policy with my 65% no claims discount.
All was fine.... until, some moron decided to plough into the back of the corsa behind me, that then ploughed into the back of my car, while we were waiting in traffic at the traffic lights. i was only 5 minutes from home, so immediately called First insurance (which is Fresh insurance) on the number needed to report an accident. and thats when it all started. i had to dictate every detail out about me, my work, my employer, address, including the obvious details of the incident, then once that was done, i was put on hold, and transferred through to Equity Red Star , and again, i had to dictate every detail out about me, my work, my employer, address, including the obvious details of the incident. after spending an hour dealing with these 2 arms of the insurance i took out, i then had a call from Churchill, saying that their driver who caused the 3 car smack, had accepted all responsibility, and they would repair my car, so i didnt have to claim on my insurance. so, i told them that i would need to speak to my insurance company as i had only just reported the incident to them. anyways, i decided to let my insurance company, (who i paid in full at the start of the term) deal with it. well, i wish id took Churchill up on their offer. 1 week later, i still have a smahed car, i still dont know when it will be repaired. im also expected to now pay £200 excess to the garage (whoever that might be when the car is repaired). well, my policy states my excess is £150, and apparently, in the supplied booklet it details about a £50 Protected no claims discoount excess, which wasnt disclosed to me at the time of taking out the policy, and isnt actually detailed on the policy, and theres not even a reference on the policy to check the supplied policy booklet for this additional excess. why they cant print the £50 on the policy along with the £150 i dont know, but they managed to print it in their not particularly plain english little booklet.
i then get a letter from Equity claims, asking for copies of my driving license, both sides, and also the photocard, both sides, which i fax back to them. i ve also had 'car crash line' calling to arrange a hire car, but i dont even know when my car is going to be fixed, and i was told that the repairer was going to provide a coutesy car... so much confusion, and none of these companies can share information so i seem to be going round in circles.
The reason im writing here, is because, i want anyone who is thinking of insuring with these clowns, to think very carefully before taking out their policy...i didnt expect to have an accident, and when the driver at fault's insurance company is prepared to admit responsibility an hour after the accident, one would think it would be a fairly straightforward claim, and its not, as all these little people involved, are all trying to earn their little crumbs... and the old saying just hits me... Too many cooks....
Arent these insurance companies suppose to be transparent with all their details? or am i once again setting my expectation a little high?
So my advice is similar to another contributors.
AVOID FRESH INSURANCE - FIRST INSURANCE - EQUITY RED STAR AS IF THEY WERE INFECTED WITH SWINE FLU