Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Aug 30, 2021 9:50:08 GMT
Auto renewal insurance. Any type of insurance auto renews unless you ring the beggars up and say don’t. Just had my house insurance renewal notice today with the note You may be able to get the cover you want at a better price if you shop around. OK - so offer me a better price then if you want the custom. Insurance must be the only industry that penalises you for loyalty, together with energy companies. Had a spam phone call a few years ago with one of those third party companies who supposedly try and get you the best deal. I told him I wasn't interested as I find all companies practice urination into a communal receptacle. He didn't get the joke so I had to translate and surprisingly the thanks for your time, have a good day line came sooner than it usually does on such calls. Had the same with my insurance renewal - been driving 27 years and never made a claim.
The usual excuse I get - is "Your post-code has had an increase in car crime and claims over the last twelve months, so this pushes premiums up..."
When ANPR (the number plate recognition tec) was developed, it was used for tracking terrorists (mainly cars linked to IRA and other groups). When it became widespread, we (the motorist) were told that it will reduce Insurance Premiums significantly as it could be used to track un-insured drivers (as it is) and get them off the roads as insurers claimed that premium increases were due to un-insured drivers. So all those law abiding motorists have to pay to cover those. All I have seen is premiums go up.
Some insurers have reduced premiums - though to balance the books have shoved up "Admin Charges" and other bits.
I got into a spat with a Car Insurer about 10 years ago - I also sent them a schedule of My own Admin charges for phone calls, letters and taking time out of work etc. Things suddenly then got sorted very democratically.
Though mysteriously - by funny coincidence - I then suddenly started getting billions of phone calls about some imaginary accident I was involved in.
All those got told to F.O of course!
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Nightfly
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Post by Nightfly on Aug 30, 2021 12:09:15 GMT
Er, I'm having to be one at the minute because my car died...😥 Not for much longer, getting another (crappy) car next week, a Renault Megane. Carefully selected for cheapness I had one of the Renault Megane Scenics... Ran fine for a while, and then started stalling/cutting out when slowing down at junctions/traffic lights etc. The wife had a Scenic for a while. I hated it. OK I'm old fashioned and can't get my head around electronic handbrakes, keyless entry and the combination of pedal presses just to get the thing to start. The ultimate humiliation was having to call out to Mrs Nightfly one morning in front of the neighbours shouting "How do you make it go?". Put it this way, I'm still impressed with the the marvellous technological advance of the automatic choke.
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Aug 31, 2021 12:36:46 GMT
Tradesmen... again. Found i needed some roof work and decided to add an upgrade to some repairs so a medium sized job. Great rated firm comes round and doesn't want to know wasting everyone's time as he said the jobs too small and he has a lot of work on. They were told what was required when setting up the quote on the phone ffs.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Aug 31, 2021 16:26:11 GMT
Always letting you down people
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Post by Dirty Epic on Aug 31, 2021 16:44:44 GMT
I had one of the Renault Megane Scenics... Ran fine for a while, and then started stalling/cutting out when slowing down at junctions/traffic lights etc. The wife had a Scenic for a while. I hated it. OK I'm old fashioned and can't get my head around electronic handbrakes, keyless entry and the combination of pedal presses just to get the thing to start. The ultimate humiliation was having to call out to Mrs Nightfly one morning in front of the neighbours shouting "How do you make it go?". Put it this way, I'm still impressed with the the marvellous technological advance of the automatic choke. Had something similar with a Vauxhall Insignia I had recently when these auto handbrakes work as they should they're great but this one... sometimes it would allow you to drive off in 1st and automatically release it other times and without warning it wouldn't and you have to press the brake release the button and clutch in 1st not good when it happens on a hill junction etc. Shame as apart from that, that Vauxhall seemed (and could) a fairly decent car, but... Auto and lane Stability functions on some on motorways can be irritating too when they take over and do things you don't want them too as well! As intended these aids are good things but they're not always as that way when you need them too!
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Aug 31, 2021 22:41:47 GMT
Wait until that E.U endorsed speed control is law. You won't be able to Ahem put a foot wrong.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Sept 1, 2021 5:54:16 GMT
Wait until that E.U endorsed speed control is law. You won't be able to Ahem put a foot wrong. How will this work? Will "they" be able to limit the speed on a car as required (hence another reason for the big push on Electric cars).
I have already heard tales of woah about certain Electric Car Manufacturers locking people out of/immobilising their cars as they haven't taken the car to an approved dealer for repair or service.
I assume when the speed control comes in, they'll get rid of speed cameras as they would be then useless?
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Sept 1, 2021 12:08:32 GMT
Generally it will be mandatory for all new cars to have intelligent speed limiters and data logging black boxes from 2023 I believe. The black box will allow ever more snoopy state control of our behaviour. Cue insurance firms claiming it will make insurance cheaper (it won't) and being able to invalidate you as you had the audacity to be human and not be able to stick to the law 100% at all times.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Sept 1, 2021 15:02:38 GMT
Generally it will be mandatory for all new cars to have intelligent speed limiters and data logging black boxes from 2023 I believe. The black box will allow ever more snoopy state control of our behaviour. Cue insurance firms claiming it will make insurance cheaper (it won't) and being able to invalidate you as you had the audacity to be human and not be able to stick to the law 100% at all times. Agree Del.
It'll also involve some big company making a packet of cash to fit the tech and operate it. I'd expect that'd be another government contract being dished here and there.
Indeed Del, Insurance Firms will use the old "It'll reduce premiums" mantra. But I suspect, Insurance Firms may factor this in the way they assess premiums - your premium will be based on your driving as well as the usual excuses they use currently - so if they (or this black box) think your driving is erratic, or you drive a lot of miles each week/month - they will assume you are at greater risk and bump up your premium. That sort of stuff I don't trust (like Smart meters - I could write a book on the tales of woah with them).
As you say, more methods to snoop.
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Cartman
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Post by Cartman on Sept 1, 2021 21:18:06 GMT
Talking about cars, I'm now on the road again, in a black 57 plate Renault Megane estate, which I got for £300.00.
It's got 12 months mot, and it's not that bad, apart from the fact that the clutch is slipping a bit and the rear seat upholstery had been chewed by a dog. It's just a tool to get me to work, the shops, and the Life on Mars meet!
One day, I will get another proper car.😀
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