Car insurance grouping?

[Guineafowl]

Swapping the wife’s Disco 4 for a Volvo V40. All other things equal, address, usage, mileage etc. Direct swap. Wife is a year older, of course

Disco, group 40: £477
Volvo, group 24: £927

Both quotes obtained today. Volvo worth more than the Disco, but given the grouping, no claims, I was at least expecting a similar quote. Not double.

 

[Robotstar5]

I went from a 3.9 V8 disco to 1.8 MG ZS and my insurance more than doubled.

 

[Guineafowl]

Same boat as me, then. Why a little hatchback is twice the risk of a 3-tonne, 200 bhp luxury SUV is a mystery.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Same here, went from a 3.0ltr BMW to a 2.5ltr Lexus (both petrol) and have just doubled. Same me, same annual mileage.

 

[rtcosic]

It can relate to the claims history of the specific vehicle. Quotes can differ even between models of the same range.

Years ago we ran Rover 800's as they were big, comfortable and cheap. All the boys learned to drive in them and 2 of them sat their driving tests in them - much to the consternation of the examiners!

An 800 Si died and I replaced it with an 800 Sterling and got an insurance refund.
The 'Si' was the base model - issued to sales reps and other road warriers, so got hammered.
'Sterling' was top of the range and got issued to Area Managers, so older, less aggressive and less time stressed when driving.
So the Sterling had a much better claims record than the Si.

Incidently at the time the Rover 800 was cheaper to insure for a newly minted 17 year old driver than their school chums little shopping trolley as the latter were bought by parents for the little darlings to have their first RTC in, so had an even worse claims history than the 800 Si.

Sadly and much to their disappointment I could never get a sensible quote to put them on my subsequent Jaguars until they were 25.

They won't put me on their MX5 insurance any more as now I've passed 70 I increase the premium!
Middle son wouldn't even seek a quote to put me on his big BMW bike - spoilsport!

 

[knighty]

I've got a 2010 range rover, fancied something electric

couldn't find anything decent I could get insurance for my gf on, 23yr old, 5 years no claims, clean licence

oh well... thought I'd get a newer range rover... anything from 2011 on was the same deal, crazy insurance

changed the 2010 to any driver over 21 (was any driver over 30 before) - it was only £300 extra a year

 

[mike os]

The way it's going I see more uninsured drivers in cheap old cars ... cheaper to pay the fine if you ever get caught

 

[Guineafowl]

It can relate to the claims history of the specific vehicle. Quotes can differ even between models of the same range.

Yes, I thought that was encoded in the grouping, 24 vs 40. Something fishy about the car insurance industry.

 

[Robotstar5]

I bought a Range Rover classic, started phoning for insurance quotes and asked what the difference would be if I added Mrs Robo as a named driver, the quotes came down!, apparently, if you're in a stable relationship (married) you're a lower risk.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Something fishy about the car insurance industry.

You've only just realised this?

 

[rtcosic]

Yes, I thought that was encoded in the grouping, 24 vs 40. Something fishy about the car insurance industry.

There used to be far fewer Groups. They are established when the model range is released for sale and relate to initial price, cost of repair etc.
There is no claims history at that point.

Now that all the claims data is available to all the industry the risk for each model within a range can be established. Each insurer will then price for their appitite for risk.

 

[Guineafowl]

you're in a stable relationship (married) you're a lower risk.

… when each party has a contractually present back-seat driver, you mean:

’MIND THAT CAR!’ Startling me out of my inner monologue.
’What, that one about 50 metres away, pulling slowly out?’
’Yes, I didn’t think you’d seen it’
’Thank you, dear’ (or words to that effect).

There used to be far fewer Groups. They are established when the model range is released for sale and relate to initial price, cost of repair etc.
There is no claims history at that point.

Now that all the claims data is available to all the industry the risk for each model within a range can be established. Each insurer will then price for their appitite for risk.

Volvo drivers always used to be, by reputation, old men in flat caps and driving gloves, pottering everywhere at 42mph. This has obviously changed.

 

[Robotstar5]

… when each party has a contractually present back-seat driver, you mean:

’MIND THAT CAR!’ Startling me out of my inner monologue.
’What, that one about 50 metres away, pulling slowly out?’
’Yes, I didn’t think you’d seen it’
’Thank you, dear’ (or words to that effect).

Tell me about it, when I'm driving it's usually "come on, put your foot down" or when she's driving I put dents in the passenger footwell trying to brake.

 

[bricol]

I bought a Range Rover classic, started phoning for insurance quotes and asked what the difference would be if I added Mrs Robo as a named driver, the quotes came down!, apparently, if you're in a stable relationship (married) you're a lower risk.

Mine flatly refused to quote to add mine, honest!

Adding my ex, a NHS midwife, used to reduce the price considerably.

 

[Guineafowl]

Tell me about it, when I'm driving it's usually "come on, put your foot down" or when she's driving I put dents in the passenger footwell trying to brake.

Have you considered adding dual controls? A sure way to a harmonious marital driving experience

 

[ajlelectronics]

Volvo drivers always used to be, by reputation, old men in flat caps and driving gloves, pottering everywhere at 42mph. This has obviously changed.

The bane of motorcyclists, but no more. Now it is anything with an Audi badge who will try to kill you!

 

[bricol]

Tell me about it, when I'm driving it's usually "come on, put your foot down" or when she's driving I put dents in the passenger footwell trying to brake.

Mine said something similar 10th May . . . two days later a letter arrived . . .

To be fair, I did say no at that moment, but my attention slipped 20 mins later and "booossh" - I swear the camera flash made a noise . . . first speeding ticket since I passed my test in 1987. Can't complain too much though . . .