CC - Devitt Car Insurance - Never Again !

iDriver
iDriver Forum Participant Posts: 40
edited February 2014 in Club Products & Services #1

I got my renewal notice for my (CRV) car Insurance from LV and did as normal, I went on a comparrison website.

As expected the renewal was overpriced and the best of it was that LV came out best quote on the comparison website ?

Anyway, I put that figure in the CC/Devitt insurance website and they bettered it so I paid the deposit and spread the rest over 12 months. 

All was fine until the papers came through and they wanted the other quote in writing? I have never had such a thing before, either CC/Devitt are quoting me for insurance or they are not, it matters not what other on-line or written quotes I have.

I then rang CC/Devitt to disuss the issue and after waiting 10 minutes listening to music withou the option to request a ring back I spoke to Jackie. The upshot was they wanted ME to ring LV and sort out for LV to allow CC / Devitt to speak to them about
my quote from LV?

If that is what they call customer service at CC / Devitt then I am sorry but they are wrong. I have asked for my depost to be refunded and I shall use the remaining 10 days to sort out cover with a decent company.

Yet again, a CC member gets NO SERVICE from the  CC !!!

Comments

  • davebriers
    davebriers Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited June 2017 #2

    I also am regreting taking insurance with rogues .l will not be renewing my club membership . I cant believe why the club is using these money grabbing clowns.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #3

    ID    -  non of what you say surprises me, it is time the government outlawed the ridiculous practice of insurance companies having better quotes on the comparison sites than they offer customers on renewal.

    Legalised theft from vulnerable people and others not able or willing to shop around upon each and every policy renewal in the household.....

    Insurance companies should be forced to issue their "best quote" on renewal, at least them having to quote you last years premium encourages you to shop around now.....

    In regard to the quotes received on the comparison site, did the few best not come to you in email form? I would have been tempted to send them that as "proof" although I agree you shouldn't have to.....

  • darenlines
    darenlines Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited July 2017 #4

    I have to concur with everything you've said about this company, they have behaved like some a shoddy back street cowboy set up

    customer services ( what customer services)

     

    i'm happy for CC to get a kick back from promoting insurance through the club.

    I do however expect it to be with an effective and professional company that members can have confidence in devitts are not one of these companies !

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #5

    Perhaps now is the time for one of the full time staff champions to make a comment  about this and other so so practices?

  • DianneT
    DianneT Forum Participant Posts: 521
    100 Comments
    edited July 2017 #6

    We have had both Car and Caravan insured by the Club and Debits for 14 years.  We have had excellent service from them when claiming.  Every year when renewal is due I review the value of both vehicles and reduce it which has reduced the payments we make monthly.

    We have had two claims over the years and they have not hiked up the payment.

    DianneT

     

     

  • dinny
    dinny Club Member Posts: 17
    First Comment
    edited July 2017 #7

    Same as idriver that a performance went on for about a month  l won't  be taking  out insurance  with devitt   again unfortunately   paid for full year lesson learned 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #8

    When I have changed car insurance companies I have frequently been asked for documentation of cost of cover (in cases where the new insurance company offers to beat a quote) and proof of no claims.

    I can't speak highly enough of the Caravan Insurance through the Club (although I don't think this goes through Devitt - but I stand to be corrected)

    I haven't had car insurance with the Club for a number of years now, but was impressed with the House and Contents Insurance arranged for the Club through Devitt.  Not only is the cover excellent, but it was quite a bit cheaper than the quotes I got from a comparison site.

    I do get really annoyed with companies who put up costs year after year, offer nothing for loyalty, but throw offers at 'new business'.  I stopped my National Trust membership, partly because of this.

    David

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited July 2017 #9

    When a company offers to beat a quote from another insurer it is standard practice to request the evidence

  • Lansdorf
    Lansdorf Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited July 2017 #10

    We too have had cars, caravans and house insured through the club for a good number of years. At any one time we would have both cars, the van and the house insured with them. The cars go through Devitts but I think the van and the house go through the club. I have always found them competitive on a like for like basis but this year I got a shock when my tow car renewal came through. A five year old BMW X3...........£690!! I phone up to ask if they had made a typing error.  I was told that it was correct and unfortunately they could not negotiate on the premium. I phoned the NFU and gave them my insurance schedule details and asked them for a quote on the X3....... £350. Enough said.

    So much for loyalty and no claims over all those years.

  • Extugger
    Extugger Forum Participant Posts: 1,293
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    edited July 2017 #11

    iD,

    Like you, I took out a policy with CC/Devitts for caravan insurance and enquired if the cover could include breakdown insurance (European) to be told 'Yes'

    However, on reading the 'bumph' and after a couple more calls, no breakdown cover was available. A call to the branch manager ensued, who apologised profusely, claiming the agent I had spoken to was new and needed more training! He offered to refund £20 to which I told him where to stick his policy and also told him I was referring the matter to the FSA Ombudsman (and there's another toothless tiger IMHO)

    On calling the CC to advise them of my 'mis-sold' policy, all i got was the, 'Well, we've been using them for years and we don't give a monkeys about your bad experience' speech. 

    Consequently, my insurances are not with the CC, neither is my breakdown cover. On using comparison sites and hearing about renewal prices, it's easy to see why 'money saving' experts advise you to shop around, particularly where insurance is concerned.

    Loyalty is not a word in their vocabulary 

     

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,579 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #12

    Sorry but you are wildly over the top. Yes a mistake was made, but I am afraid you are wildly overreacting. All organisations get things wrong sometimes no matter how hard they try. The Ombudsman is certainly not toothless and finds a lot of cases in favour of the complainant, but yours I am afraid is likely to get short shrift.

    Be aware of comparison sites they miss completely the service levels and claims interpretation and believe me some companies are just plain appalling. The clubs policies are often not the cheapest but nobodies always is, and they only place the business with reputable companies with most are tailored to your needs and with additional cover that standard policies miss.

    Frankly though the Caravan insurance is expensive, although it is almost certainly the best there is with regard to cover and claims service. There are a couple of companies out there who need to be avoided at all costs though, so do be very wary. Any policy that does not have DEFAQTO 5 star cover is likely to be seriously wanting as well. Basically you get what you pay for in most cases and if you go for the cheapest then something has been lost along the way.

  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2017 #13

    Ive said this before but the strength of a good insurance company is in its ability to pay out quickly and properly in the event of a claim.

    BUT Always insist on staying in control of certain important rules!

    1)  I always insist that I will decide who repairs my car not them!

    2)  I will insist that only Genuine Original makers parts are fitted to my car not some independent panel maker.

    3)  Only the makers approved body shop will be used (Not the Insurance Co's approved,) although they might be the same.

    In respect of any glass required, again only the makers glass will be accepted.

    Whilst the above might sound "picky" it is because your car maker might well invalidate your warranty, if none original parts and paint are used.  The insurance company will seek to reduce their payout by using none original parts. They will claim that they are as good, they are not!  Only accept if your manufacturer agrees that they are up to their standard.

    TF

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited July 2017 #14

    The "offer" of beating any insurance quote by £25 by the CC/Devitt insurance is quite reasonably with the evidence of the said previose quote,what is so wrong with that?undecided 

  • MJ730
    MJ730 Forum Participant Posts: 184
    edited July 2017 #15

    I've been with LV for something like 30 years.A couple of years ago they sent the renewal quote and like you thought it was ridiculous so looked around for cheaper then phoned them and said I'd not be renewing and after being transferred to another department got the same cover for £300. cheaper and It's still lower than many others this year.

    Mike 

  • Extugger
    Extugger Forum Participant Posts: 1,293
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2017 #16

    Sorry, but you are wildly (excuse the pun) incorrect!

    FYI I was FSA and FCA regulated. The Ombudsman is there to settle any disputes and because the manager didn't resolve, to my satisfaction, my complaint, off went an email. One would expect that after 3 confirmations from the sales agent that my insurance cover included European breakdown cover. This was not the case, so the policy was mis-sold. 

    As far as the FSA being a toothless tiger.......are you kidding me??! It was disbanded in 2013 because it was useless and replaced by the government with the FCA. Thankfully, they do act on issues and luckily for Devitts, my issue took place before then.

    Also,Defaqto is an independent researcher of financial products who rank various items, such as insurance, credit cards etc etc  Don't be fooled into thinking because something is rated as 5 stars, that it is the best and most suitable policy. It simply means that it is a comprehensive policy with lots of features and benefits. In other words, you could be buying cover with features you don't need and therefore paying too much.

    The whole idea of comparison sites is so that the customer can select the cover which is suitable for their needs. I agree some people just use them solely for price comparisons, but I use them to make savings to fund our trips to Europe laughing

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,579 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #17

    I was in insurance claims for over 45 years and also did the certification. On the basis of what you say this seems to be history being at least nearly five years old and not relevant to the current position.

    You do accept that they cancelled the policy, and whether £20 is reasonable is a matter of opinion. I do know my rights and got £250 from my credit card supplier when they messed up, but it was far worse.

    I accept DEFAQTO ratings are not the full story but if a policy does not have it those who do not read policies professionally could be leaving themselves short of cover so should avoid policies that do not have it. The rating does not ensure a fair deal as individual companies have different standards of service and may interpret the same wording differently so yes it is not the entire answer.

    As for comparison sites I now they try to provide the information to enable you to make the right choice, but very few people have the knowledge to do that, which is where they fall down in my eyes.

  • IanBHawkes
    IanBHawkes Forum Participant Posts: 212
    100 Comments
    edited July 2017 #18

    I have the caravan and car insured through the club and never have any problems. Indeed, this year my car insurance has dropped in price, not by very much but it is a drop.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited July 2017 #19

    Just renewed our car insurance today, My Wife wanted to start Her own Insurance and NCB. Last year when we changed the car. Admiral charged £645, this year they wanted £840surprised Nothing has changed apart from a years claim free driving. Spoke to them and they instantly dropped it to £658. 

    Took out an Identical policy this morning with a £100 less excess with Churchill for £478.

    Pays to shop around smile

  • TwoBeards
    TwoBeards Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited August 2017 #20

    Not only rogies but hieves. I have never signed up for auto renewal and I have never given them DD authority yet I find they have taken money form my bank account as my policy is up for renewal next week, So they will lose my campervan policy and also my caravan policy.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #21

    We are all different. I insist on renewal being automatic. After all I still get notice of new price with plenty of time to cancel. 

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #22

    I've had my CRV insured with LV for 3 years now and they have never tried to boost that, my wifes car insurance or our house insurance so happy bunny.  I only use the CC insurance service for caravan and Red Pennant. Wouldn't consider it for anything else.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #23

    We do too, it's not a problem as we can check the details and reject if needed. We use the club for MH insurance but nothing else.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #24

    Whilst this is a topical subject I notice the OP was 17 February 2014. Allowing for the first response being in July 2017 it's still an very old post that seems to have appeared without responses from years ago.

    Only the repeats on TV can compete with CT resurrection 😉

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #25

    Don't even trust comparison websites folks. This week I've had occasion to use such a site. Long story short, I knew from past experience that a certain insurer, who wasn't in the top 10 quotes, should be competitive. On the comparison site the premium was £240. When I clicked to access the insurers own webpage the premium was £48 cheaper! How does that happen?