Good and Bad Experiences with Chris Knott.

Perhaps I am the exception to the rule, but I've been insured with Chris Knott since April 2013, based solely on the insurmountable praise placed on them through this forum.



I believe each story has two sides, and this has been my experience:







To their credit, as a new customer back then, they managed to beat my best quote by £20 or so, and were very helpful on the phone. They managed to beat Adrian Flux, and my best online quote. I was quite delighted.



This year; for personal reasons surplus to the crux of this story, I blindly allowed my insurance to renew with them. (though i do not recall ever signing any documents confirming this.) I did this out of good faith that I was getting the best deal.



The email I have, suggested it was £509 P/Annum to insure my 05 MGTF <10k per year (Including Insurance Premium Tax) - Though I was told today this letter didn't include their additional fees or finance agreement charges, notification of which I have copied below verbatim:



"This was payable over 10 months via a credit agreement with Close Premium finance and the credit charge was £65.88 making the total £614.88, 10 X £61.49."



My Policy is fully comp, with

Compulsory accidental damage £300

Compulsory fire and theft £300

Windscreen £75.



I am 28, male with no claims or convictions. (motoring or otherwise!)









A friend of my sister's is insured via aviva on a TF. Their's is a 1.8 and newer, and they have less no claims than me (I have 9 years) they also they do business mileage, whereas mine is only at social domestic and pleasure.. yet - their premium was less than £400 per year through aviva.



Out of interest, I checked aviva last night for myself, and for the exact same policy as I have with Chris Knott (inclusive of declaring my modified air filter) my quote came back at £349.



Incidentally, this price from aviva includes full business use, whereas Chris Knott is Social Domestic and Pleasure only.



I am mid-contract at the moment with Chris Knott, where my annual insurance inc. credit agreement charges is £614.88. That's £265.88 (43%) more I'm spending this year than I need to, because I didn't shop around.



When I spoke on the phone earlier with Chris Knott's Customer Service Manager, I was told that had I shopped around they'd have beaten or matched any quote within reason. This does not sound like the treatment of a client who is getting a specialised insurance service... more of a "he paid it last year, I'm sure he will again blanket attitude"



Given the number of members here insured with them, and the fact that many have stated on the forum that they renew on blind faith, I do question if I am an anomaly, or if indeed we are an entire forum being fleeced out of a better deal.



Now, I would like to make it very clear that I accept full responsibility for not taking it upon myself to shop around and push insurance companies to reduce my premium.



I have seen several people here mention that they just renew each year with Chris Knott without even checking others because they know the prices will be the best - my experience, and opinion is entirely contrary, and I believe that if a story has two sides, it is in the interest of fairness to represent both.







When asking about cancelling my policy today, I was told that because it was on finance, inclusive of "admin fees" (anyone who has ever worked in finance knows this is a dubious term that means, skimming off the top) I have to pay £46.70 to cancel my policy mid-term.



My policy is due to end in April, So I have done some quick maths:



If I stay with Chris Knott, @ £65.88 per month, October until April (7months) would cost me £461.66 - (Even if the last 2 months were free.. thats still £329.40 for 7 months)



If i leave them today and go to my £349 quote from Aviva, and even include the £46.70 "cancellation" charges to Chris Knott to my total Aviva price... £395.70 will see me insured until next November. (12months)



Being mid-contract, I was told by their Customer Services Manager, there is nothing else that can be done by Chris Knott to change/reduce my policy.



In my opinion, the danger with a broker rather than dealing direct, is it is very easy for them to apologetically tell you that they have no control, because they cannot control the policies of the underwriter/Third party credit lender. There is a strong element of truth in the fact, but personally, I cant help but find it worrying that my contact for my insurance, is not in control of my insurance.





With all things considered, for me the switch over is somewhat of a no brainer, and whilst I am entirely frustrated at myself for allowing myself to be blindly led into overspending due to placing my trust in a specialist insurer - I hope that this information will help others to not make the same mistakes I did when renewing.



So in summary - I ask, to all those with Chris Knott, do you find your insurance is just roughly the same as last year and go with it, or do you shop around and have to make them match a price?



Yours quizzically,



Jono.

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