Car insurance - member's only discount?

[Tony]

We've been approached by a car insurance company offering a discount (5-10% plus free non-fault legal cover) for members running on veg/bio, in return for a section of the forum that they can communicate offers and converse with members.

The initial admin reaction is to reject this, as it goes against our strict policy of keeping this site non-commercial.  But on the other hand, the point of the site is to benefit the members, so we don't want to dismiss it out-of-hand without member's input.

Of course you could argue what a club discounted policy actually means, and whether this is just a mechanism for getting calls to quote for car insurance.

The company in question are quite well known for having a relationship with other car forums offering this kind of setup.

So what do you think?

[Jamesrl]

If one of use sees a bargain or a particular item going cheap we tend to notify the group, is the chance of cheaper insurance any different?

If they can't beat members quotes they'll not get any business, simples.

I say try it and see.

[julianf]

In my experience, every insurance company says they're the cheapest, but, by definition, all but one of them are lying.

Last time i dealt with Adrian Flux they came out with the same talk, i got a quote, and then a better quote elsewhere.

They all say they will beat any competitor - to be honest, im not much interested in that - id rather they just gave me an honest quote to begin with.


In short, i think they are all as crooked as the crooks they claim are increasing the premiums every year.

[Keef]

Do I really trust an insurance company to give me a genuine discount just because I use biofuel? NO!

Do I think they are after a bit of free advertising? YES

[1958steveflying]

I cant see it doing any harm, if after a dozen or so members have tried them you can make a decision as to whether they stay based on members quotes. 

[therecklessengineer]

The problems come if someone has a problem with them and they can't speak out about it because they're an advertiser on this site.

Providing we are able to openly critisise them should we want to without any repercussions to ourselves or the forum then it can't be a bad thing surely?

Given how many clubs/forums I'm a member of they really ought to start paying me.

[petep900]

Speaking as  someone who looks after a very large classic car forum I would say stay away from it.

Handing a section of your forum to a business is fraught with problems

try if at all possible to remain independent of ANY business
...then you owe nobody nothing

[Julian]

Speaking as  someone who looks after a very large classic car forum I would say stay away from it.

Handing a section of your forum to a business is fraught with problems

try if at all possible to remain independent of ANY business
...then you owe nobody nothing

Already been a lot of admin discussion on this, Pete.  If we go with it at all, it will be on our terms, in our format, and wholly under our control.

[Tony]

Well after reading the above I'm feeling it's not for us.

[Jamesrl]

Well after reading the above I'm feeling it's not for us.

I have to agree with you there Tony.

[nigelb]

My view.
Julianf and Keef have put forward sone valid comments which I agree with...

Stear clear.

Nige

[1958steveflying]

Well after reading the above I'm feeling it's not for us.

Who is the company Tony, perhaps members have already some experience of them.

[julianf]

My bet is....

http://www.biopowered.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1081.0.html

[Chug]

I've thought about this since last night and if peeps do decide it's a good idea it shouldn't have it's own forum section for them to advertise, just a sticky post with who to contact for a quote.

Personally I don't trust insurance companies and say no, but i'm happy to go with the majority.

[greasemonkey]

Pretty much what I said when they registered. Its not like no one has heard of them, anyone with any interest in vehicles knows their name.

Iv'e never had a quote cheaper than my local broker anyhow, and he doesn't keep me on the phone for half an hour asking daft questions.