Farmers and Mercantile (Axa) Price Hike and Options

[Gibbybox]

Just been quoted for insurance renewal this year and the vehicle part of the policy is £850, an increase of 70% on last year. This is due to a change in the insurer from Axa to Amlin as Axa are no longer competitive due to some large claims this year according to F&M.

While I understand that insurers will no doubt be under pressure due to COVID, I find 70% hard to swallow and will need to look around. Has anyone else experienced similar this year? Any recommendations for alternatives beyond NFU? The cover by Axa was decent and it covered my day-job as well as farming activities/pulling trailer, something that is not always easy to specify when looking at comparison websites from what I remember.

Another annoying thing is that there was a limit of 5 years no-claims discount on the Axa policy so despite joining with 7 years and being with them for 3, I believe I 'officially' only have 5 years NCB rather than 10.

Any similar experiences or advice are appreciated as always!

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Why not NFU?
Very competitive at the moment.
Vehicle insurance is cheaper at the moment due to less car use.

 

[Gibbybox]

Why not NFU?
Very competitive at the moment.
Vehicle insurance is cheaper at the moment due to less car use.

Glad to hear that Frank, definitely will be giving NFU the chance this week. Just wondered if there were any decent alternatives that I should try as well

 

[chaffcutter]

Acres, best quote for us this year

 

[Highland Mule]

Nobody can get near Direct line for vehicles in my experience. And no costs for mid term changes, of which I have had a few recently (reduced mileage, changed car etc).

 

[Goweresque]

For non commercial vehicles (ie cars and non-commercial 4x4s) a multicar policy from Admiral has proved very good for me, I have 3 vehicles insured with them for about £600 in total. And there's been none of the usual 'Lets creep the premium up each year' behaviour either, my premiums have fallen for about the last 3 years.

 

[North East Crofter]

just moved our car from NFU to Admiral, 45% saving

 

[snarling bee]

We renewed with F & M in March. Our motors are similar to last year, but we were moved to Ecclesiastical. There is quite a bit more to our business than just cars though.
Acres I've heard are competitive. Run by the same guy that started F & M. He could well be buying business to get a foothold and get market share, but why not take advantage?

 

[deleted user 837354]

For non commercial vehicles (ie cars and non-commercial 4x4s) a multicar policy from Admiral has proved very good for me, I have 3 vehicles insured with them for about £600 in total. And there's been none of the usual 'Lets creep the premium up each year' behaviour either, my premiums have fallen for about the last 3 years.

That is good, I'll never understand why the try to creep policies up every year, just means they lose customers hand over fist.

I can see the reason why farmers might just insure everything with someone like F and M though.

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Nobody can get near Direct line for vehicles in my experience. And no costs for mid term changes, of which I have had a few recently (reduced mileage, changed car etc).

same here disco and mondeo direct line rest of stuff with broker,

broker never gets close...