I am not an expert in insurance premiums but it is clear that as customers we ultimately ALL pay for the claims of others. The terrible floods in some parts of the UK at the beginning of the year will produce increased premiums for everyone, motorists and home owners alike. I have always questioned the implications of protected NCB. At one time, a driver who had perhaps scraped a wall, would never have contemplated claiming as the finacial gain would have would be offset by the increased premiums resulting from the loss of NCB. Now, some policies allow a number of claims without loss of NCB and as a resuly of this, many cars end up in body shops for minor repairs often with big bills attached. Also, certain windscreen companies actually encourage drivers to claim! I have no issues with certain categories of drivers paying more than others but at the same time there should be better rewards and incentives for those who do not claim. Personally, I use price comparison sites for the renewal of all my cars when the policy is due. If you have more than one car, also consider not being tempted with break down cover as the combined 'extra premiums' may work out more than joining the AA/RAC/Green Flag etc. There, thats my bit - Steve

bumble said:

I am not an expert in insurance premiums but it is clear that as customers we ultimately ALL pay for the claims of others.

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Thats not a hidden fact Steve, its a basic principal of insurance.

Protecting NCD needs to be seen more like insurance on insurance. It pays for itself should you need to claim, but go 10 years of paying £40 a year to protect it and not made a claim and you've probably spent more than any saving you've made. Its all down to personal choice as to if you feel its worth the extra for piece of mind etc.

Just be careful of price comparison sites though, they're great for budget no thrills insurance, but there is a good reason why certain market leaders are not on them, and why despite this they're still market leaders in their relevant sectors.

Very fair point on breakdown cover though - worth considering when purchased through insurance its often a rated policy as apposed to RAC/AA being fixed price. I've been told the insurance bolt on route is often better value for newer cars (as deemed less likely to have failures) but stand alone cover with recovery agents is better for the older vehicles out there.

Personally we have all 4 of us covered with the RAC and all save our Tesco clubcard vouchers towards it each year, £60 of Tesco vouchers for cover which would cost us £250 if paying cash