Quinn Direct motor insurance & private information

Please tell me if I am nuts to be offended by this.

I phoned Quinn Direct for a quote for our 4 family cars. I had all the car information in front of me - year, type, c.c. I got through to one of the staff and told him I was after a quote after which, depending on the prices he quoted me, I would decide if I wanted to move from my current provider.

His first question was my name. I thought maybe he needs this to be polite or to identify my quote from someone else's, so I gave it to him in good spirit. Question 2 - what is my phone number. I explained that I didn't feel comfortable giving out my personal details until I was sure that I was going to accept his quote and become a client. Question 3 - what is my address? At this point I lost my happy disposition. If I didn't want to give my phone number why would I give my address?

He told me he could not quote me unless I gave him this information. I asked to speak to a manager and was told the manager refused to speak to me until I gave him my address, phone number and email details. I terminated the call and took my business elsewhere.

For me it is a question of security but my second concern is that I know these databases are sold or fall into the wrong hands leading to excess post, spam and calls timed to coincide with the first mouthful of your dinner. Am I being dumb about this?

Afterwards my colleagues and got chatting about how many times we give our private details out on line without even thinking about it. Surely this is an area where maybe we should all think about a bit of discretion? My office mate from South Africa said that everyone there had postbox addresses as a security measure (which seems a bit extreme). At the post office is a large recycling bin for all the junk mail. They also never give out land line numbers or email details, and the SA websites dont usually ask for it.

I just had a freaky thought about trying to buy travel insurance here in Ireland. Having given address details, the next question would probably be "what are the dates you will be traveling?"

(Oh yeah. The one partial explanation offered by QH was that they needed my address to determine if I lived in a high risk area for claims. I counter argued that they should say that up front and then accept something like "Salthill, Galway" without demanding street names and house numbers.)

Re: Quinn Health & Private information

Assuming you mean Quinn Direct for car insurance, I do tend to think you're over reacting a bit. If you want them to give you a quote then you really should be prepared to give them the information they require, your address is important for accessing risk, can't see how your phone number is of relevance except for future contact (you can always make one up!)

Remember the person on the phone is only filling in details on a screen which more than likely won't progress to give a quote unless the details are complete, try any online quote and you'll get the same result. You'll find all insurers require an address.

I tend to stay away from actually phoning for quotes and use the online facilities provided by most, its usually quicker and generally less stressful

Try Tesco.ie, they've been cheapest for me twice.

Re: Quinn Health & Private information

I can't see how you can expect to be in a position to hold Quinn to a particular quote later on if you decide to avail of it, if you haven't even given them your address in the first instance?

I would have been more alarmed had their procedures allowed them to take note of your personal details without recording your exact address. I would not be impressed if my own insurance renewal details were posted to someone else's house.

Re: Quinn Health & Private information

You will never get far calling a company and not telling your name . Just do what i don use a fake name
joe murphy
123 fake street
or use there interet quote systems
if you give details close to your owen you can get the quote no problem

Re: Quinn Health & Private information

Using Quinn's internet quote pages also appears to save your name/address etc. I used the Quinn Direct site some time ago to check on car insurance. Filled in all the personal details, received quote, was higher than renewal of existing policy so didn't pursue.

A month later, I rang Quinn Direct to ask about Motorcycle Insurance - gave the assistant my name, and she read back my address and date of birth, which must have been saved by them from the online query.

Re: Quinn Health & Private information

The address information affects the price. There are higher risks of theft in some areas, so they need this information to quote.

I'd be surprised if large companies like Quinn are selling their databases in contravention of the Data Protection Acts given our current regulatory environment. I suppose it's not impossible, but it seems unlikely.

Hi Alicat

I agree with you.

When I was seeking quotes, I refused to give any information other than that necessary to assess risk and they refused to give me a quote.

I got a quote years ago from Quinn Direct and they sent me quotes every year for a few years after although I have never done busines with them.

I have edited your post for clarity.

Brendan

I usually give myself a fancy title - I've been a Bishop once ot twice and a Lady!! As stated by previous posters, I give the name of a road close to my own, in fact now that I think about it the only info that is correct is DOB! I feel the same as you Alicat - I think that the main reason they want all this info is to bombard you with loads of junk post.

for mobile numbrs I always use 087 654 3210
So far nobody has queried it. while on the subject of Quinn for car insurance: cu junior rang around a few companies for a quotation last month. Quinn was the cheapest. when the letter arrived with all the details the policy was actually more expensive than her renewal with One Direct ( Hibernian the actual insurer)and not the amount she was quoted over the phone .She rang to query it and was fobbed off from one person to another. cancelled the policy. deduction still made on her bank account and a new letter stating there was a cancellation charge of €50. I advised her to ring and ask for a supervisor and to inform this person that unless she was fully reimbursed she would take her case to the insurance ombudsman on the grounds that the price quoted was not the price when the details were posted to her. She got her refund. As a (direct ) result of her experience I will avoid quinn motor insurances when shopping around.

ACA said:

I usually give myself a fancy title - I've been a Bishop once ot twice and a Lady!!

Click to expand...

If you are referring to the choice of occupation, this may well also impact the quote. Certain occupations are deemed, rightly or wrongly, to be high-risk, though I'm not sure if female bishops fit this category.