Always Query your Renewal Premium.

In the last few weeks, I have moved house and so had to alter my insurance details and the renewal of one car insurance policy has also arisen.

My caravan insurer (via the C&CC because it was originally cheaper) said it would cost me a £20.00 amendment fee. I protested and said I would take my business elsewhere and it was immediately waived.

I also have a four-year-old sports car insured elsewhere. I noted that the declared value on the renewal form was twice the actual value of the car and my named driver was now retired not employed. The insurance clerk said that the lower value made no difference to the premium on her "system". (Computer says No!).

Again when I protested and said it was a ridiculous assumption, the insurance clerk said it could not be changed. When I threatened  to go elsewhere she "referred it to the underwriters" and they reduced the premium by £100 (20%) immediately because, so they said, my partner is now retired, not employed as a primary school teacher. She is only a back-up driver and has never actually driven it. That's silly but who cares. 

Moral: Always query your insurance premium and don't be afraid to argue.

Your existing insurer may be prepared to compete if you wave quotes from "comparethemarket.com" or "moneysupermarket.com" under their noses.

Peter.