Thanks for replying. Probably would be sensible to wait for my renewal until I make such a big call. But I often read how the larger firms are too nice to new customers whilst taking the risk of knowing their existing customers would be happy to leave. Also suggests how high the mark up is on their quotations!

Talk to Churchill about this, as if you cancel a policy before renewal, they will charge you a cancellation fee which can be up to £50 with some Insurers. In theory there is nothing stopping you cancelling and taking up a new policy online, with whatever offer is available,

If you cancel before the full year is up, you won't have a full years NCB for that year.

Work out what is best money wise, once you know the position.

Often it can be cheaper taking up a brand new policy each year, even with the same company, as the new business rates can be cheaper than those offered to a renewal customer. I have always found this practice to be a bit unethical, unless the Insurers were offering extra cover for their renewal customers as a loyalty bonus. But Insurers do it, because they can make more money from the inertia shown by some customers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this in advance.

Basically, I currently drive a petrol guzzling Fiesta 1.4 (2010). My first year insurance with churchill was £2200 with my 19 year old son (at the time) as a named driver as I think it's important he has access to a car.

I'm now doing about 10000 miles a year due to work commitments and I've been offered a 2008 118d from my husband as a present. The issue is of course my 20 year old son who has been passed for 3 years and drives very well. I'm not wanting to go over £1700 and I've had an online quote as a new customer on the 118d for 1648 on the 1 series.

Is it possible to simply cancel a churchill policy and start a new one online? I know their online offer is 12 months for the price of 10 thus pushing the price up to maybe £1900 if I ring up? Should I wait for the renewal on the fiesta (policy currently until mid march)? Should I cancel now, sell my car and wait a week or two and insure the 118d?

I've read how people are safe that their premiums won't go up in the first year, but £2200 is a heavy fee. Just for the sake of it, a new customer with my details with a 20 year old passed for 3 years would get insured on the fiesta for 1100!

I'm also a home insurance customer with the. Have 9 years NCB, licence for 15 years.

ANY ADVICE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. P.s no other company online has quoted me less than £4000 on the bmw.