Has anyone used Swinton Insurance?

[snerkler]

Just had a renewal quote through from BMW for my 2010 GSA and they want £385 for the year. I thought that was a bit steep so been online and got a few quotes. Swinton came back the cheapest at over £100 less than BMW. Has anyone used Swinton before for bike insurance and willing to offer any feedback on their cover, customer service etc etc please?

 

[Wapping]

Swinton are a broker, like CN, Bennett, Devitt or a host of others monkeys. Nothing more, nothing less. They do not specialise in 2010 GSA motorcycles above any other make or brand. They are no more 'biker friendly' than Sainsburys, Esso, your local vet or or your paperboy. They are a business, run to (try to) make money. Save one hundred pounds or don't.

 

[dakarDude]

Tried to after my debacle a bit back with EBike and their PAYG policy renewals going sky high, Swinton were really expensive for me.

 

[snerkler]

Swinton are a broker, like CN, Bennett, Devitt or a host of others monkeys. Nothing more, nothing less. They do not specialise in 2010 GSA motorcycles above any other make or brand. They are no more 'biker friendly' than Sainsburys, Esso, your local vet or or your paperboy. They are a business, run to (try to) make money. Save one hundred pounds or don't.

I hear what you're saying, but most of us have had good and bad experiences with insurance companies. Whilst they are all out to make money, some provide a better service than others when it comes to claims etc. Some give you the run around more than others. This is what I'm ultimately wanting to find out

 

[Wapping]

I hear what you're saying, but most of us have had good and bad experiences with insurance companies. Whilst they are all out to make money, some provide a better service than others when it comes to claims etc. Some give you the run around more than others. This is what I'm ultimately wanting to find out

Swinton are a broker, not an insurance company.

Look at the assorted threads on UKGSer. For every, 'They are crap' you will find a similar number of 'They are great' just as you will with threads on tyres, helmets and jackets. Look also at the number of bods who start off ranting about an insurer or heaping themselves up with concerns, only to then post up how happy they are with the end result. look at also at the often extreme fluctuations in prices quoted.

Standard advice:

Get on the phone / keyboard and get several comparative quotes.

Work out which is the 'best value' (excess, premium, security requirements, own kit cover, legal assistance, instalments, multi-bike..... the list goes on and on) and then go for it. 365 days later you will know if you have made the right decision.

 

[wessie]

As Wapping says, they are a broker and they will seek every opportunity to sell you an insurance policy for every conceivable risk once you are on the books. You may wish to consider giving them a munged telephone no. as they are quite persistent, apparently.

I've heard good things and bad things about Swinton as service varies depending on the branch that looks after your account - just like Tescos, you get well run shops and less well run shops amongst their nationwide chain.

When I get a quote from a broker I look to see who the underwriter is and make a decision based on that plus the other variables such as does the package include breakdown cover, riding other bikes not owned by me, taking a pillion etc. Once these are taken into account I usually end up insuring via Carole Nash as Swinton have charged too much for the breakdown add-on.

 

[snerkler]

Thanks for the advice

 

[Wapping]

Thanks for the advice

The going rate is £125 an hour....

 

[wessie]

The going rate is £125 an hour....

As with most things, you can get a better deal in the Provinces. We eat as many oysters and drink more champagne but we don't need as many flunkies as the mummy's boys in the City.

My rate is a very good value £99 per hour.

 

[Wapping]

I discounted the figure.....

For the full going rate I would have given him the added benefit of:

It's amazing.....

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Similar Issue

Yep. I was with Swinton last year....no claims no problem, renewal came through and the wanted £110 more than previous year. Shopped around and ended up going with motorcycle direct. £150 fully comp, protected no claims on a gsa12....job done.

CB

 

[snerkler]

Yep. I was with Swinton last year....no claims no problem, renewal came through and the wanted £110 more than previous year. Shopped around and ended up going with motorcycle direct. £150 fully comp, protected no claims on a gsa12....job done.

CB

Wow, I must live in a dodgy area

 

[wessie]

Wow, I must live in a dodgy area

It's about what I pay as well.

There again, we're not conveniently located alongside the M1 halfway between two of the dodgiest areas in the country...

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Also another vote for motorcycle direct, quote about £150 quid less than bmw insurance and its underwritten by aviva which was a name I'd heard of if that counts for anything.

My rules are I always use confused.com and try and avoid bennetts

 

[Wapping]

My rules are I always use confused.com and try and avoid bennetts

Is that three rules, or two?

 

[Northern Monkey]

Neve mind the quality, feel the price!! Swinton was cheapest for me too - one piece advice is stay away from Budget insurance and it's subsidiaries - £85 cancellation fee and 60% of outstanding premium to pay on cancellation!! Robbing bastards!

 

[wessie]

Neve mind the quality, feel the price!! Swinton was cheapest for me too - one piece advice is stay away from Budget insurance and it's subsidiaries - £85 cancellation fee and 60% of outstanding premium to pay on cancellation!! Robbing bastards!

I'm no fan of them either - sadly unless you read the small print they are often the broker behind many High St names offering insurance to customers. They are the owners of Bennetts and the meerkat infestation.

 

[wessie]

Also another vote for motorcycle direct, quote about £150 quid less than bmw insurance and its underwritten by aviva which was a name I'd heard of if that counts for anything.

My rules are I always use confused.com and try and avoid bennetts

Largely good advice. confused.com is owned by Admiral so just be aware that you will often be steered towards their products which have a variety of brand names. Not such a bad thing as they are a decent Welsh company...