Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Barry]

It's that time of the year for me to renew the car insurance. Normally when given a renewal quote, I have to go through the rigmarole of phoning the company to say the new quote is excessive; well above inflation, and being a long-term and loyal customer with the maximum no claims bonus, can we look to see if it can be reduced? (with the un-
stated 'threat' that I can always go elsewhere!) The representative always agrees to go and have a look, and always comes back with a lower quote; more in line with what I had in mind and I accept the new quote.

This time however I was surprised to learn the renewal quote was £160 lower than that for last year. I don't understand why, but I'm not complaining.

[Pigmy Pony]

That is surprising. We have the same routine every year, fortunately Anita's patience in these matters is matched only by her dogged determination

I'm assuming the renewal quote is based on your circumstances being unchanged. But I'd advise checking your policy documents when they arrive, to check they haven't mistakenly omitted or changed any details, which could potentially become a problem in the event of a claim (they would argue you should have checked, ignorance being no excuse).

Perhaps if you've had the same car for some years its current value may have dropped into a lower 'band'. Or maybe that family of scumbags in the next street who have been responsible for 90% of the crime in your area have moved away. Or been sent away.

[Pigmy Pony]

Sad to learn of the death of actor Terence Stamp, age 87.

Famous for his good looks and impeccable dress sense, he formed one of Britain's most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in Far From The Madding Crowd in 1967. He also dated the model Jean Shrimpton and was chosen as a muse by photographer David Bailey.

After failing to be chosen for the role of James Bond to succeed Sean Connery, he appeared in Italian films and worked with Federico Fellini in the late '60s. The Oscar- nominated actor starred in films ranging from Pier Pasolini's Theorem in 1968 to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in 1994 in which he played a transgender woman.

I remember reading Michael Caine's autobiography "What's it All About?", where Ciane spoke of his friendship with Stamp in the 60s. They shared a house and were well immersed in the London party scene of the 'swinging 60s'. I reckon that would have been a great time and place to be alive Plus he got to date Julie Christie and Jean Shrimpton, the bastard

The book also made mention of Terence's younger brother Chris... he did some impressive stuff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Stamp

[Cotlake]

That is surprising. We have the same routine every year, fortunately Anita's patience in these matters is matched only by her dogged determination

I'm assuming the renewal quote is based on your circumstances being unchanged. But I'd advise checking your policy documents when they arrive, to check they haven't mistakenly omitted or changed any details, which could potentially become a problem in the event of a claim (they would argue you should have checked, ignorance being no excuse).

Perhaps if you've had the same car for some years its current value may have dropped into a lower 'band'. Or maybe that family of scumbags in the next street who have been responsible for 90% of the crime in your area have moved away. Or been sent away.

According to Martin Lewis, car insurance is down 16% from this time last year.

[Pigmy Pony]

According to Martin Lewis, car insurance is down 16% from this time last year.

Which would be spot on for Barry if last year's premium had been £1,000. In any case that is a great price cut.

[Barry]

That's interesting, and good to know. But in my case it represents a reduction of 34%!

I should add that my insurance is fully comprehensive, as it has always been. The only change in my/our favour might be that my partner has now had more driving experience since taking out insurance on the car. However I will check the new premium carefully.

[Barry]

Just as I was lauding my car insurance company for reducing my annual premium by 34%, we have just returned home to find the house and contents insurance has gone up by 35%.

So "easy come easy go"? Well not quite, the premium has always been more expensive than that for the car. Again I'm going to have to phone them, find out why, and try to haggle a better deal.

[Pigmy Pony]

Just as I was lauding my car insurance company for reducing my annual premium by 34%, we have just returned home to find the house and contents insurance has gone up by 35%.

So "easy come easy go"? Well not quite, the premium has always been more expensive than that for the car. Again I'm going to have to phone them, find out why, and try to haggle a better deal.

I'd imagine haggling with them should be quite easy - as home/contents insurance isn't a legal requirement as it is for motor insurance they won't have you over a barrel. Don't forget to mention any security "upgrades" you might have had (security/doorbell cameras, alarm, big dog), it could give them justification for giving you a better quote without them looking like they were trying it on with the first quote.

[Barry]

It's been a fine afternoon here. I thought I would cut the grass, as it has not been touched for a couple of weeks. Well I left it a bit late as a really dirty rain cloud appeared, but since I had already got the mower out I wasn't going to let a little rain stop me. Well fortunately my mower is powerful and I was able complete the task just as it rained 'stair rods'.
Of course as soon as it started, it stopped, so I can now put the mower away.

[Barry]

The conker season has just started. Picked up a horse chestnut on the way home, but in weighing 16.5g it's nothing to write about.