First Alternative Car Insurance Reviews

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Latest Reviews

“Half a Star”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Eden398 on 24/07/2015

Customer Service is a joke! Terrible call centre, wherever it is, waited on the phone for 42 minutes at 4pm on a Wednesday, as if all the advisor's are busy! I wanted to cancel as my renewal letter was for £750, the same as last years price. Went on Go Compare and they offered me £554?!?! I will NEVER be insuring my car with them... EVER!

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“not recommended”

★☆☆☆☆

written by geocici on 26/08/2014

I was insured with first alternative for one year.I had before 7 year no claim bonus but in this year one idiot smashed my bumper, she made a claim and she won.The insurance did not informed me that they payed her 1000 pounds.I was not guilty and I had pictures and witnesses but it did not matter.Now my new insurer charged me almost 3000 pounds because I have a claim recorded in my file and I lost my 7 years no claim bonus.First Alternative is RUBBISH!! Avoid them.

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“they steal your money ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by mrunhappycustomer on 08/06/2014

i have been with them for 10years and i renewed my policy in february, and first alternative took an extra £300 out of my account. when i contacted them they apologised and told me they would refund my money.but they only paid part of it back and i still have not been paid the full amount. twice i have been put on hold and after 5 to 10 minutes they hang up which costs a fortune on premium rate phone lines. i will never use them again and would urge others not

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“No clains discount”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 16/09/2011

I have not made a claim that has been my fault for over 20 years. I TOOK OUT COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE WITH FIRST ALTERNATIVE LAST OCTOBER 2010.There had been an ongoing claim that had been settled with my previous insurance co.No blame attached to myself,completely cleared of any fault.When I received my insurance schedule,I was charged more than agreed,they had put my no clains down to 2 years.I explained no blame was attached to me.I was told to obtain a letter from more than to prove this,whitch I trully did.Still not good enough ,wanted proof of no claim bonus over the years.Obtained schedule from previous insurer saying that I had 9 years no claims.Still not good enough.Had to obtain actual letter of proof of no claims. Did so, sent back to them asking for the no claims to be back dated to when I took out the insurance,and any refund for over payment.Finally received a new insurance policy,showing only 6 years no claim bonus,and no refund.How can Esure underwrite such a bunch of clowns. Anyhow new insurance due in October,guess what,I won't be touching First Alternative with a barge pole.

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Max1212's Comment

Written on: 23/10/2013

Do no get a cover from alternative insurance brokers, they mislead me and did not refund my £400 they just eat your money and do not trust them. I asked them if they can send me a letter confirming I'm not the car registers keeper he said yes we can do that for you but soon as I payed he said we cannot do that they disappointed me so much so please if u don't want to go through what I went then just avoid this insurance broker.

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Max1212's Comment

Written on: 23/10/2013

Do not get a cover from alternative insurance brokers they mislead me and did not refund my £400

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“They are not able to track the other party's...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 27/02/2011

They are not able to track the other party's details!!!!!! And asked me to do that !!!! After an accident which is not my fault!!! And finally record a claim on my policy!!!!!!!! Nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!!

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“COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. THEY HAVE POOR CUSTOMER...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 23/10/2010

COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. THEY HAVE POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED HELP. COURTESY CAR DEPARTMENT IS NOT RELIABLE ...UNHAPPY WITH THE REPAIR WORK THEY DID TO MY NISSAN PRIMERA.

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“Don't have much good experience with this company -...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 18/06/2010

Don't have much good experience with this company - used to be Ensure I believe but the name then changed. The claim management company Driver Asssit is even worse. Currently on a claim. They call and then hang off with no further response - seems to check whether you are at home, maybe. Then no response further 2 weeks down the line.

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“my wife took car insurance with these bandits the car...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 09/05/2010

my wife took car insurance with these bandits the car was insured with them for almost three years when it was stolen. that was 6 months ago and we are still no further forward with the claim they keep telling us " our reports should be completed in the next week or so " we have no courtesy car and no transport for this length of time. i am engaging a solicitor to this case we have been treat like animals.DO NOT INSURE WITH THESES PEOPLE.

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“hi i have quota with this insiurans and i make claim...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 08/10/2009

hi i have quota with this insiurans and i make claim 2wais. so i hawe big big problems.

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“I had to make my first ever (non-windscreen) motoring...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by CJYoung on 30/05/2008

I had to make my first ever (non-windscreen) motoring claim in December 2007 and I don't think I could have picked a worse insurance company to do it through. First Alternative have failed to impress me and the claim is still unsettled. I have been contacted twice in six months about my claim and the second of those was only because I had a rant at them on the phone. Furthermore, their 'approved repairer' did a poor job of fixing my car (it's still not right) and 'delivered' it back to me by driving it from Newbury to Reading without my consent.

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“First Alternative is very keen to warn its 'customers'...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by Peter Bolitho on 04/07/2007

First Alternative is very keen to warn its 'customers' against making 'over-inflated' claims. I would like to warn potential First Alternative customers about being 'bounced' into low cash-offers by this company. In my case they at first refused to repair my vehicle offering instead a cash-offer substantially less than the repair cost quoted by their own repair company (arguably this is dishonest). They claimed the repair work would have involved betterment of the vehicle (which turned out wasn't incorrect), but really they appeared to be seeking to avoid paying the full cost of repair, and the cost of the courtesy car.

I would advise treating this insurer as a Last Alternative!

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“FA, or E-sure, or Halifax (who actually owns whom?)...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Cnxs on 08/01/2007

FA, or E-sure, or Halifax (who actually owns whom?) have let themselves down and us. It's a good job they backed down when they tried to put our premium up on renewal.

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“I cancelled my insurance in November 2005, as I was...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by edgey74 on 05/12/2006

I cancelled my insurance in November 2005, as I was moving to Australia for a year. I cancelled my policy by phone, and I was asked to send the certificate of Insurance. As this was lost, First Alternative said to write instead, which I did, and the matter would be resolved. Due to their lack of help, I also had the debt collectors (DLC - Is this the same as other writers) hassling me for £68, which First Alternative believe I owe. This has been been going on for 13 months, and it is still is not resolved. I have never had such problems with any other car insurance company.

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“First Alternative are cheap for car insurance, but...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by LvlMs on 10/08/2006

First Alternative are cheap for car insurance, but there's a reason for that. I made a claim after writing my car off during the bad weather last winter. They did eventually pay out, but despite having a fully comprehensive insurance policy, they did not provide me with a courtesy car (because they won't if your car is a total loss - go figure), so I had no transport for 4 months while they tried to grasp the concept of paying out on a very straightforward claim. Now I'm being chased by debt collectors having cancelled my cover with them as soon as I was able to, because I can't explain to their Indian-based call centre operatives that I sent back their insurance certificate and told them I wanted to cancel months ago.

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“First Alternative offers car insurance for quality...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by anmcl on 01/08/2006

First Alternative offers car insurance for quality cars, but their claims department offers a non-quality service. The quality of their staff is highly variable. Their communications, both externally and inside the company are poor to non-existent, leading to unnecessary delays in settling claims. In all my dealings with them they have offered excuses for poor performance, but never a word of apology.

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“My original claim began in June 2005. The other party...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by mmeg on 16/06/2006

My original claim began in June 2005. The other party accepted liability in March 2006. It is now June 2006, and I am still trying to get my money back from First Alternative car insurance.

To reiterate previous reviews, the First Alternative car insurance customer service and claims departments are absolutely appalling. The agents have no idea what they are doing.
Be careful that they don't push you into settling your claim if you are not at fault. I would argue they can't be bothered with the extra work involved, and would rather sit back and let you lose your NCD.

They also take forever on the phone (most of the time is spent on hold), and I've had calls lasting over 45 minutes.

They are very eager to set their debt collectors on to you and have them chase for payment, but they are very slow when paying you back what they owe.

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“First Alternative Car Insurance are the absolute pitts...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by abernard7 on 09/06/2006

First Alternative Car Insurance are the absolute pitts if you make a claim. Be careful what you say when making a claim. Don't tell them what you think may have happened if you were not in the car at the time. They will twist it so it looks like you knew the car was faulty. They did not listen properly to my explanation, and they did not give accurate details to relevant agencies. For example, my car was left at the side of the road for over 2 days (no apologies), and now they are arguing the toss about the claim and I have no courtesy car. They were arrogant, uncaring and clueless.

Please note. this car had a full service by the manufacturer 5 months ago, and MOT 1 month ago, and they are arguing the toss about its condition. A well looked after V reg performance car!

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“The First Alternative car insurance claim department...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by suki75 on 01/05/2006

The First Alternative car insurance claim department are an absolute nightmare to deal with. No-one seems to know that what they are doing. Totally useless company and shockingly bad service. So far this claim has so far taken nearly 6 weeks, and I am no nearer to completion.

Simply a bad choice if you need to make a claim. They are far from good value in terms of service.

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“I got a quote from First Alternative car insurance for...”

★★★★★

written by UnclePippy on 03/03/2006

I got a quote from First Alternative car insurance for an M3. The person I spoke to was very helpful and knowledgeable. I am with Esure, and they could not quote me for an M3, so that put me in touch with their sister company called First Alternative.

All in all, a very stress free experience, which in this day and age of overseas based help desks is always a delight.

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“I have been with First Alternative Car Insurance for...”

★★★★★

written by Rocksteady on 04/08/2005

I have been with First Alternative Car Insurance for the last 2 years and I have never had a problem - they have always been pleasant on the phone and when it came round to renewal time they were still the cheapest for me. My documents took a few days extra to be delivered but it was a bank holiday weekend which always slows things down a bit. I cant comment on how they are with claims as I haven't had to make one yet. (touch wood) If nothing else get a quote from them - what have you got to loose.

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