Help: Equity Red Star and Car Insurance

[WoodBrum]

Could anyone tell me how I could find out which insurance companies are underwritten by Equity Red Star? After a particularly unpleasant and stressful time renewing my car insurance with them last year, I really do not want to have to deal with this company again.

 

Once again they have sent a renewal notice with a price hike of over a £150. Last year, like many people I searched online for cheaper insurance, found one, completed all details online and paid for my new insurance. Before I paid I contacted my insurers and told them of the cheaper quote and asked why my renewal was so high. The only answer given (implied) was that to get a cheaper quote I had lied? misrepresented myself. Needless to say, we parted company.

 

However, it turns out that my new insurance company was also underwritten by Equity Red Star. They ultimately wanted to cancel my policy because they didn't have NCB proof. Despite it being held in a different department of the same company, something I tried repeatedly to explain. Another point leading to their decision was that they felt I had knowingly tried to undercut my insurance by choosing a cheaper option and this was not allowed!. I asked for transcripts of all my telephone conversations, both with previous and current insurers (both underwritten by Equity Red star) as I knew that I had never misrepresented my situation or lied to get cheaper car insurance. During this time, they agreed to stay the cancellation of my car insurance.

 

After many conversations I eventually got to speak to Paul, a manager - iIn the end it was agreed that I should continue with my insurance for the remainder of the contract.

 

Unsurprisingly, I was never given copies of the transcripts of the telephone conversations, which would have not only proved my point but given evidence of the bullying, hectoring tone of the insurance advisers. Yet I feel that these must have been considered as a decision was made in my favour. Hence the reason why I really feel I can no longer have any business relationship with this firm of underwriters.

 

So if anyone knows how I can find out which firms they underwrite (car insurance), can you please let me know?

[unclebulgaria67]

Hi

 

They are a Lloyds Insurance underwriter who provide Insurance for many different brokers and intermediaries.

 

I don't know which companies they provide underwriting capacity for. I think BISL (Budget Insurance) use them for many different Insurance brands they service.

 

Suggest that when you phone around that you ask which Insurance underwriters they are quoting you with. Some companies use a panel of Insurers, so if you just arrange online, you might end up with Equity Red Star.

[WoodBrum]

Thank you - I've started 4 weeks early so I'll just have to check each quote.