Is Outsurance really better?

You always see these ads about how Outsurance can save you money. Last week I decided to take the time and request a quote from them as I need to save money on my monthly premium and still have a reasonable excess structure. After having spent about 35 minutes on the phone for my quote, I receive a premium amount that is about R 300.00 more than I am currently paying, this excluded the cover for my all risk items and my basic excess was about R 2600.00 more expensive than my current. The consultant asked me once again what would make me accept the quote and I advised that my premium would have to be lower and my excess structure needs to be better. We carry on listing all the all risk items, only to be told my premium will be R 650.00 more than what I am currently paying. I then get asked for my banking details , which I say I am not prepared to give without having received the quote via email and mention that I am not changing insurers to pay more.

I fill in my survey I receive via email stating the reason for not taking up the quote and carry on with my life as I have managed to obtain another quote saving me money and providing me with a better excess structure.

I received a call not so long ago today, requesting why I have not taken up the quote, asking too many questions about my new insurer after I said I had come right with better cover and manage to save money at the same time. What the consultant did not know, is that I have worked in the insurance industry for many years with many different insurers. I have more knowledge that what she realized and therefore will not have a consultant at Outsurance try tell me that I did not look at my excess structure correctly as offered by the new insurer, try convince me that I still need to take up their quote so that I can pay R 650.00 more per month and have a higher excess structure.

I understand the concept of having to sell policies, but if your quote is more expensive and the excesses are higher, then DO NOT force a customer into taking your policy. Higher, better cover for a higher premium makes sense, but higher premium with less cover and higher excesses, does not work for me and nor should it for anyone else.

I requested comparative quotes from a few insurers at the same time and they all, except Outsurance, provided me with a written quote, same premium (or less) with a very similar or better excess structure. Outsurance is the only insurer that refused to provide me with a written quote, quoted much more and provided me with a higher excess structure than current. Outsurance is also the only insurer that requested banking details on quote stage, without me accepting the quote.

When I worked in the industry I regularly had clients come to me and say that Outsurance is not as great as the ads say, and I never had an opinion as I had not personally dealt with them at the time. However my experience with them on a quote stage has said more than enough for me to stay away for life.