Insurance.

[spyboy]

The added bonus for me of changing my Audi to MY10 XC70 Polestar was that Allianz did not charge an extra premium for the Polestar and so my premium stayed at £345.
When I swapped MY10 XC70 for MY15 XC70 my friends at Allianz said that because of the extra safety features it would in fact be£14/year cheaper, so I stuck with Allianz.
Yesterday I got the email from them advising the renewal would be coming round in a month and the new premium would be £721!!! Some mistake I thought and engaged in the online advisor chat straight away with my new friend Ben. He basically said it was the way they assessed the risk and quoted a load of generic reasons increased repair rates, accident frequency etc and it was take it or leave it. I left it. My new friends seem to be a talking statue and seagull called Stephen who arranged everything for £372. The biggest thing was getting the seagull to understand what Polestar was, with several referrals to the manager (Statue?) before they said it would not attract any extra premium. Strangely Volvo's own insurance DOES load the premium for Polestar!
So my point is can anyone tell me why Allianz would change so radically, there have been no change in circumstances, an extra years no claim to rise to 10yr ncb, and the driver is a year older but well under 70yrs.
Also why do insurance companies not know what Polestar is?

[MercedesDriver]

I had exactly the same experience with Allianz in February this year when insurance renewal was due for my Mercedes. The premium they offered was £1172 - nonnegotiable, and it was £430 for past two years. As with you, nothing changed with me as well except that I got 1 year older. I took my business from them and gave it to AXA for less than £400 premium.
Maybe Allianz is going to leave the UK market.

[murphyslaw]

Same for us too - we were with Allianz (Your Cover) and had been for a few years. Moved to Volvo Insurance this year after the Allianz renewal was 200% more expensive on the XC60 Polestar.

[lepicane]

Can't comment on Polestar, but I've been with Octagon Insurance for four years now for my 2008 S80 D5 Lux. First year just over £300, second year renewal was cheaper, third year slightly more expensive, but when I called about it I got £20 loyalty discount. Same for year four. All in all I've been paying the same annual premiums for four years (fully comp, zero voluntary excess).

I've checked various comparison sites over the years and wasn't impressed by what is offered by cheaper quotes.

[RM955I]

It was (I thought) reasonably well publicised by the likes of Martin Lewis that insurance was facing a big hike across the board and he encouraged people to consider either getting a quote valid for 30 or 60 days if possible or even paying a cancellation fee, shopping around and renewing...that may be one factor in your price hike.

[harveys]

It could just be they see the polestar tune as a mod and don't like the extra power as it ups the risk , as they say Power corrupts.

Anyway mine is due next month so I will see.

[DAN AT ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,
Unfortunately insurers can change their rates, underwriting terms or general risk appetite drastically during a 12 month period. I appreciate it can be frustrating though.
Regards,
Dan.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Generally speaking, I take it as the insurance company telling you that they do not want your business.
Generally, I listen to them and stop giving them my business.
Their loss.

Des. . .

[Ant B]

Originally Posted by CTCNetwork

Hi,

Generally speaking, I take it as the insurance company telling you that they do not want your business.
Generally, I listen to them and stop giving them my business.
Their loss.

This, exactly!

Did the same myself a couple of years ago, now with Sheila's Wheels which is consistently the cheapest, for me...

[ajbayram]

I see that Allianz are taking/have taken over Volvo Insurance. Could this be part of the reason.