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| Customer Service | 9/10  |
|---|---|
| Value for Money | 8/10 |
| Overall rating | 9/10 |
Full review by
Mr Nervous
expert review 
on 23rd Aug 2006
User Rating : 9
Respect :
0
Good Points: Helpful and knowledgeable UK-based staff. No putting on hold for extended periods and no misunderstandings. What appears a good policy for me (the test will be if I claim). Happy to discuss the finer details and run over things twice.
Bad Points: Had to ask about some details rather than have them given, though I appreciate the minimum-necessary-time-spent-on-each-call-as-possible factor discourages this. Extremely loud volume on the phone (though better than struggling to hear I guess).
General comments: I rang Herts Classic Car Insurance HIC as a last minute attempt as my insurance was rapidly running out (i.e. later this evening!) and, having rung round seemingly everyone, I had forgotten about them until someone reminded me.
I tried quoting online on the very comprehensive website (note that HIC appear to be catering towards the "young and modified" section of the market, which is what I was looking for), but unfortunately my vehicle modifications meant that I had to confirm things on the phone.
I rang them at about 5.45pm, and after two clearly spoken and brief menus to go through, was speaking to someone, who volunteered his name straight away, within 90 seconds. This is a good thing when you have to spend the amount of time ringing round that I do.
After taking the time to go swiftly but patiently through my modifications, claims and convictions, he came straight back with a price from "Chaucer Insurance" (www.chaucer-insurance.co.uk seems to be their website from what I can find by Googling, but I haven't heard of them before now). He then detailed the benefits associated with the policy and the excesses involved, and was happy to go over my details again to satisfy my paranoia that I'd forgotten to tell him something. When I told him I had some other people to phone first he gave me his name again and just said to phone back when I want to, with no pressure and no hard sell like I'd experienced when phoning Norwich Union Direct the day previously.
Having checked out Chaucer Insurance and searched on here for a review (I couldn't find them - might have to do a review! lol). I compiled some more questions that I wanted answering and rang back at 18:40, 20 minutes before they shut.
He had gone home and I instead spoke to someone else, who again volunteered his name. He quickly pulled up my quote and answered my many and varying questions, referring quickly to his screen with no delay and no waiting around.
Having done that he then answered some more of my questions that I had thought of while talking to him, with no moaning or signs of impatience, despite the fact that his going home time was rapidly approaching.
I eventually committed to taking the policy, after checking the cooling off period and charges involved should I cancel, which, again, he clearly explained, and I was given the option of having my paperwork posted out or emailed out.
My end result was:
My details:
Me, 27, 9 years NCB, SP30 / 5 points / £170 fine in 2005, TS10 / 3 points / £90 fine in 2005, one non-fault claim in 2005 with all £650 costs recovered from the third part, driving a Renault Clio 16v with modifications (alloys, suspension changes, upgraded brakes, stainless steel exhaust, bodywork modifications), with Business Class 1 insurance, with an alarm/immobiliser fitted.
The details of insurance cover:
Protected NCB, Legal Cover, Personal Accident cover, £50 windscreen excess, £500 stereo cover, Courtesy car, Salvage retention if it gets written off, Like for like replacement on non-standard modified parts, non-competitive trackday insurance cover (although the £1k-£2k excess on this was fairly high, but better than nowt), insured to drive other vehicles Third Party.
The Premium
£650 with £250 excess, with the option of an Agreed Valuation for an extra £15.75.
Not too bad at all I thought, and £270 less than my initial renewal quote from Admiral but with extra benefits. I now have an excess though, but I shall think of that as part of the policy cost and save that - hopefully I won't have to use it, but the test of HIC and Chaucer's claims handling will come if I do...
So far so good. I will update if necessary!
Paul
Mr Nervous's review and ratings | 692 words
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