How you’ve hit boiling point over huge premium hikes
162 PER CENT INCREASE JERRY SULLIVAN Birchington, Kent
JERRY’S car insurance renewal from Hastings Direct for a Toyota Aygo was received on January 14 – £513 against last year’s £277.
Then in the last few days, a revised renewal quote was received for £726.90 – a 162 per cent increase.
What Jerry says: ‘To quote [Daily Mail columnist] Richard Littlejohn, you couldn’t make it up. Hastings is making it up on the hoof. When I queried the initial 85 per cent increase, I was told it was a result of a no-fault claim made last year. But this is despite the fact that the third party concerned reimbursed Hastings.’
What Hastings Direct says: ‘We’re sorry Mr Sullivan is disappointed with the renewal price. There are many factors that can increase premiums year on year, including changes in claims costs and our view on risk.
‘This year, inflationary pressures and the return to ‘normal’ driver behaviour post Covid are impacting on premium increases for drivers countrywide.
‘In Mr Sullivan’s case, previous claims – both fault and non-fault – over the past five years have increased his risk, leading to a price increase.’
100 PER CENT INCREASE CHRIS RAMSAY Ipstones, Staffordshire
HIS home insurance renewal from Halifax Insurance came in at £216.98, a 100 per cent increase.
What Chris says: ‘I was incensed, to say the least, when I got my renewal notice. I phoned Halifax to be told the renewal price was non-negotiable and the reason for the hike was that it had re-evaluated the risk.
‘I went on a comparison website and got a slightly better policy for a few pounds more than what I paid last year.’
What Halifax says: ‘Mr Ramsey [sic] came to us via a comparison website in 2021, at a price which came with a significant new business discount. The new price offered is at or below the equivalent price we would give a new customer.
‘We have also updated our view of surface water flood risk in Mr Ramsey’s [sic] area – with the result that his property presents a higher risk than previously.’
100 PER CENT INCREASE JANE BENSON Edgware, London
HER home insurance with LV was due to increase next month from £201.81 to £403.57.
What Jane (we have used an assumed name) says: ‘I have had a home insurance policy with LV for more than 15 years. I am angry and upset – a pensioner on limited means. A 100 per cent increase? Why?’
What LV says: ‘Ms J.B. will be one of the customers impacted by our view of certain risks changing and the price of her policy subsequently needing to increase. Most of our car and home customers are seeing decreases in their renewal prices and many customers are choosing to stay with us.’
76 PER CENT INCREASE KIERAN BALLINGER Camberley, Surrey
HIS home insurance was due to renew on February 1. The new premium quoted by Rias was £113.04, including a £20 set-up fee because his cover is not automatically renewed. This is a rise of 76 per cent on last year.
What Kieran says: ‘I got cheaper cover elsewhere. I did phone Rias to ask it to explain the 76 per cent increase, but after pressing all the buttons, I ended up with a recording stating that if I was phoning for a discount, none would be given.’
What Rias says: ‘Previous claims have had an influence on the renewal price. Home insurance prices are based on a range of risk – location, type of property and claims history. Our view of these risks can change from year to year which in turn affects the price we quote a customer when they come to renew.’
73 PER CENT INCREASE SUSAN JEPSON Lee Common, Buckinghamshire
HER car insurance renewal from Hastings Direct was priced 37 per cent higher than last year – it was then updated to £939.70, a 73 per cent increase.
What Susan says: ‘Last year, we made a claim for a cracked glass sunroof on my Honda Civic, but it was not covered by the policy. We then got a renewal notice stating the premium was rising from £543.81 to £743.75. I looked elsewhere and even after disclosing the details of the claim, we had quotes at prices below last year’s premium.
‘Then, looking online, we saw a second renewal notice, dated three days after the first, increasing the premium to £939.70. I was alarmed because I had set the policy up to automatically renew.
‘I complained but no explanation for the second rise in the renewal premium was given. I have now got cover elsewhere at a price less than last year’s premium and it includes glass damage.’
What Hastings Direct says: ‘Mrs Jepson registered a claim for a panoramic windscreen that is outside the ordinary windscreen cover, so it is classed as an accidental damage claim. This impacted her renewal price.’
37 PER CENT INCREASE ALAN ROBSON Spennymoor, County Durham
ALAN’S car insurance with Hastings Direct was due to renew this month at a premium of £414.80, an increase of 37 per cent.
What Alan says: ‘I had no explanation why the premium was increasing by so much. I’ve shopped around and found quotes below the premium I paid last year (£301.98).’
What Hastings Direct says: ‘We’re sorry Mr Robson is disappointed with his renewal premium. There are many factors that can increase premiums year on year, including changes in claims costs and our view on risk. In 2022, inflationary pressures and the return to ‘normal’ driver behaviour post Covid are all likely to impact on year-onyear increases for drivers.’
34 PER CENT INCREASE WENDY ELLIS Woodbridge, Suffolk
CAR insurance renewal from NFU Mutual came in at £46.84 a month, compared to £34.84 last year, an increase of 34 per cent.
What Wendy says: ‘I had made no claims during the year or changes to the policy. I have now taken out new cover with Aviva which is cheaper than last year’s premium. When I phoned NFU, it offered no explanation for the increase.’
What NFU says: ‘We apologise to Ms Ellis for any distress caused by her renewal quote, but can confirm it is lower than she would have received as a new customer.’