My buildings insurance was up for renewal,Saga had put the price up yet again because I was an existing customer.

I got a quote on one of the comparison sites and Tesco were the cheapest at £54.00,when I got on the Tesco site and clicked to buy online the price jumped to £58.00!,so I thought I'd phone the 0845 number for the £54.00 quote as I didn't think the phone call would cost the extra £4.00.

Why is it on expensive 0849 numbers there's such a lot that you have to listen too before you speak to someone,anyway I ended up talking to a rep and listening to more information that she had to repeat to me and was then told that the dearer quote was correct and there was nothing she could do about it even after wasting more time talking to her supervisor.
I'm fed up of Tesco by now,so I informed her that I would go elsewhere even if it was dearer rather than deal with Tesco after this charade.

Looked on another comparison site and got a quote through Swinton insurance for £42.00 so thank you stupid Tesco for making me go elsewhere.

Allan

Well done Allan, if at first etc etc etc

I change every year and often play them against each other.
When you are just a number, loyalty does not come into the equation 

Yes I usually change every year because insurance companies seem to think existing customers are just a money cow and should pay more than new customers.

The bonus about the house insurance is that Swinton have a local office in Newark.

Allan

Beware enticements such as discount for online purchases with Saga.
After a claim free year my building/contents premium rocketed. When I queried it I was informed I had a 25% online discount, but as I was just a renewal this didn't apply, hence the increased premium.
Needless to say they did not get the renewal

Regardless of financial product, loyalty counts for Zip to big companies these days, they actually regard existing customers with over a years loyalty as 'The Soft Touch' and therefore guaranteed easy money.
Every renewal wether it be Elec, Gas, Car Insurance, Home Insurance, Phone, Internet/TV provider, supermarket, I take great delight in shopping around and playing these Sharks off against each other, afterall they would happily take my money so by being shrewd and picking the best deal you save money for trains.

I even give my Banks a bashing every now and again by threatening to switch accounts to another Bank unless they give me a deal or freebie. Keep them on their toes. You will be surprised how much they will goto to keep your custom. Remember that this countries economic woes were caused by these crooks, so why not punch back by voting with your feet and give your Bank Manager something to worry about instead?

BTW a little known Journalist Called Martin Lewis helps me achieve these constant great savings

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/savings-accounts-best-interest?gclid=CPiF3OaC868CFcQKfAodfTicUg

Hope this helps some of you guys fight back against these rip off merchants

To avoid the stupidly high cost of calling Premium Rate numbers, try this site to find a 'normal' number http://www.saynoto0870.com/

Regards

Neal.

For the last three years, my car insurance has been with the same insurer (still cheapest by a good margin), BUT each time done as a new policy through a different broker/comparison site. In both years 2 & 3 this resulted in a quote for exactly the same cover of around £50-£60 less than the renewal price offered!

The second time I didn't 'renew' the existing policy I got a phone call asking why, so I explained to the girl on the phone and she admitted that it was silly and that after the comparison site had their commmission the insurer would get even less income from me than had they offered the lower price to start with... 

Paul

When I get my car insurance renewal through I do a check on a comparison site, note down the 3 cheapest and then telephone my existing insurers.

I then ask them what is the best price they can do as I've been offered £x with another company. If they can equal or beat it I stay with them, if not I change.

did i read correct your house insurance was only 54 pounds.
This year my house insurance went from A$800 to A$1185 for a year. when i asked it was because of the floods in Qld, cyclone in Qld, bushfires in Victoria. I live in a small spot in NSW where nothing happens never made a claim in 20yrs of house insurance but yet i pay for all of the other claims.
Same for the car up from A$585 to A$800 because of storms in Sydney plus the above. Again never made a claim in 24yrs on car insurance but as they say the day i did not pay something would happen to me.
Sad part years ago was when the bush fire went through the blue mountain a lot of people had not insurance but got their homes rebuilt as public donation etc helped them and those ho had paid for years had to wait so wrong.
I guess if you paid by risk then th companies would get no money as my premium would be nice and cheap and those who live in unlucky areas would not pay as it would cost too much