The cost of living... what can we do?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Aug 26, 2022.

  1. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    Car insurance. We used the 'AA' last year being the cheapest we could find but there quote this year was up 40%. The best we've found this week is 'Flow' at £204 fully comprehensive on our two year old Ford Puma hybrid. That includes the use of a courtesy car for 21 days if ours is out of action and a £20 voucher for Halfords.
     
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    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      I was with Flow (they're owned by LV) last year and for this year they increased mine by 40% as well. I moved to Darwin (I know it's a long way to go :roflol:) this year for a cheaper price with the same cover.

      As with both of them, I could get virtually the same price by actually taking it out through Confused.com and Confused give me a monthly free car wash voucher. Before that my cars only got washed on their birthday.
       
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      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        I've not heard of Darwin @shiney - well not the insurance company. :) With your information in mind I expect to see at least a 40% rise with Flow next year, so perhaps we'll try Darwin when the time comes.
         
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        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          Darwin are part of Direct Line and Churchill. Most well know insurers have a fairly new online company.
           
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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            You're welcome. You just need to work on the principle that they are all going to want to rip you off! :noidea:
             
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            • Sheal

              Sheal Total Gardener

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              ....And they do! :frown:
               
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              • redstar

                redstar Total Gardener

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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                • redstar

                  redstar Total Gardener

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                  Yes, it would be ordinary people paying more. To me its SOCIALISUM.
                   
                • redstar

                  redstar Total Gardener

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                  Car Insurance subject. Over the years, I have always communicated clearly with my car insurance company. When I changed jobs and did not "drive" one hour one way, I told them, then we changed it to under certain "miles " of driving that equaled less cost. When I worked from home, again, called them, and again , less cost per year. When I became a senior citizen. and when we both retired, again, called them, less miles traveling equal less cost to cover. I now call in every 3 months and report my odometer, if under certain numbers I actually get credit.
                  There is also a Senior Citizen driving class I can take, when I pass that, it will apply to getting my car insurance cheaper.
                   
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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    Well isn't that what Biden represents, I dont know much about American politics to be honest but I thought that was his kind of thing.
                     
                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

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                    We don't get that amount of benefits here @redstar. Insurance does reduce a little as we age and female drivers pay less too. Unfortunately most of us have to change our car insurance company every year because they hike the cost in the following year.

                    Edit: I know that in America and Canada your car insurance and tax is paid as one amount. We pay car tax separately here.
                     
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                    • redstar

                      redstar Total Gardener

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                      @Sheal , not all states are equal when it comes to "cars". Not only does car insurance rates vary from state to state, but also some states require yearly car inspections. some states do not require car inspections. We pay the tax for the car when we initially buy the car.
                       
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                      • Clueless 1 v2

                        Clueless 1 v2 Total Gardener

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                        Have you seen the numbers in the article?

                        It doesn't look like a penalty for being on a modest income and buying a modest home. It reads more like it's a very small tax on very wealthy people buying up properties. An attempt to slow down the buy to let market that is making it very difficult for people to buy in their own neighborhoods perhaps?
                         
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