Three and a half years ago I got caught drink/driving in central London. I was leaving Pacha London and had a couple of girls in the back who had invited me to a house party in south London. The girls were fit and stupidly I jumped into my car and set off on my merry way. I got pulled up and breathalysed and after a magistrates appearance lost my license for 18 months and paid a £1000 fine. I tell you what I learnt my lesson and after getting my license back I have never touched any alcohol when I've had to drive.
To be honest I've survived without owning a car for a number of years now, just borrowing my parents vehicle whenever I needed one. But I've just got a new job and need to buy a car so I can drive in (I work funny hours when the tubes are shut).
Bearing in mind my ban was 4.5 years ago and apart from that I have never made a claim or even received a parking ticket since I got my license 14 years ago, I started ringing around insurance companies to get some quotes on a VW Passat 1.8
Now this is not a particularly sporty or desirable car, just something that is comfortable to drive and will get me in and out of work easily. I found a really good 6 year old model being sold for £3799 and checking in the car guides found out that it wasn't classified as a high risk car.
I couldn't believe the gall of some of these insurance companies. The were giving me quotes from £1500 to £2000!!! What the hell is going on? This wasn't a Porsche or a Ferrari, just a lowly Passat. They imbeciles that work in the call centres explained that because I hadn't been driving for a number of years I had lost my "no claims bonus" and this is why my premiums were so high, obviously adding to the fact I had received a ban.
In despair I saw that advert on the TV, you know the one, where some knob head rings up and says "quote me happy", and the fit rep from Norwich Union Direct comes up with a lovely affordable premium.
After keeping me on the phone for over 15 minutes they finally "quoted me angry" by insulting me with a quote of £2500. And this for a car that costs less that £4000.
I went ballistic. What a bunch of tossers. There are increasing numbers of people being caught driving without insurance nowadays, even though you have to have it by law and to be honest I don't blame them. After carefully saving up £4000 to buy a car, I now have to save over half of that to insure the focker.
I think the insurance companies are taking the pi55, holding us to ransom.
To be honest I've survived without owning a car for a number of years now, just borrowing my parents vehicle whenever I needed one. But I've just got a new job and need to buy a car so I can drive in (I work funny hours when the tubes are shut).
Bearing in mind my ban was 4.5 years ago and apart from that I have never made a claim or even received a parking ticket since I got my license 14 years ago, I started ringing around insurance companies to get some quotes on a VW Passat 1.8
Now this is not a particularly sporty or desirable car, just something that is comfortable to drive and will get me in and out of work easily. I found a really good 6 year old model being sold for £3799 and checking in the car guides found out that it wasn't classified as a high risk car.
I couldn't believe the gall of some of these insurance companies. The were giving me quotes from £1500 to £2000!!! What the hell is going on? This wasn't a Porsche or a Ferrari, just a lowly Passat. They imbeciles that work in the call centres explained that because I hadn't been driving for a number of years I had lost my "no claims bonus" and this is why my premiums were so high, obviously adding to the fact I had received a ban.
In despair I saw that advert on the TV, you know the one, where some knob head rings up and says "quote me happy", and the fit rep from Norwich Union Direct comes up with a lovely affordable premium.
After keeping me on the phone for over 15 minutes they finally "quoted me angry" by insulting me with a quote of £2500. And this for a car that costs less that £4000.
I went ballistic. What a bunch of tossers. There are increasing numbers of people being caught driving without insurance nowadays, even though you have to have it by law and to be honest I don't blame them. After carefully saving up £4000 to buy a car, I now have to save over half of that to insure the focker.
I think the insurance companies are taking the pi55, holding us to ransom.
