Massive hike in car insurance

I was caught out by this recently but was given some interesting advice regarding price comparison sites. When you use one there may be many companies you have not heard of at the beginning but simply scroll down to the first one you recognise and try it. Obviously doesn't work in all cases but did ok for me.

Mine had gone up by more than 100%. I spoke to the rep who said it was nothing to do with my age, but to do with the number of thefts, accidents, state of roads in our area and the type of car (smallish).
He assured me there was nothing he could do and refused to put me through to someone more senior.
I went to compare the meerkat and found that my insurer was one of the cheapest, at about half what they were going to charge me.
I rang the firm back and asked to take out a new policy. The new rep took my details, then said, “but you’ve already got a policy with us.”
Yes I have, but I’m not renewing it. I just want an policy at the your Meerkat advertised price.
In return for not going through Meerkat, I’m paying even less than their quote on the Meerkat site, though I don’t get a year of free meals or cinema tickets.
Sharp practice? I think so.

One of ours went down by about £20, one went up, about £40, £370 and £430, fully comp.
Spent a couple of hours on comparison sites.

Thanks fir all responses. I rang budget insurance recommended here as being reasonable , sorry forget who and am just on way out, and their basic quote before extras was £1500. What! ..?
We have caved in and reinsured with our old insurance company at a mere 75% increase from last year.
It’s shocking.

My insurance also doubled this year despite years of no claims..
I moved to Saga but only got a £50 reduction I'm going to sell my car this year I think..

Now back and checked that it was calendar girl who got the really good deal with budget insurance. Thank you.
I have a old small car low mileage clean history yet their premium got me was £1500 before extras,
You did well calendar. Lucky you.

Sorry Budget was so expensive silverlining, the quote they gave you was shocking.

Our car is over 10 years old, we only do a low mileage and I suppose we live in a hopefully ‘safe’ area.

Yes, our quote is very good.

Got mine today, I changed my car 5 mths ago from a diesel to a petrol but smaller newer car and paid £40 extra so worked out at £370 for the year now they want £702!!! 😳 I’ll be checking the comparison sites at the weekend.

In the new Martin Lewis podcast out today, he discusses car insurance increases; tips for getting the best quote and what to consider doing to avoid increases further down the line. Best tip is when to do the comparisions. 21 days before renewal gets the best prices. Listen here:

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0gkx014