The first line of my renewal notice from the AA says "We've checked to make sure that your renewal quote is the very lowest we can offer."

This should be reassuring coming from a company like the AA. You can almost picture the dilligent, suited executives making calls, negotiating for you, well in advance. You can imagine, aided by their TV advertising campaign, perhaps a month before the renewal date, at one of their Monday morning meetings the Boss quips "Oh, by the way, Mark's insurance is up for renewal, go out there and get him a good deal, the best deal. That's what we're here for."

Even as you visit the AA website you're greeted with and reassured by statements like "We'll shop around to find the best car quote for you" and "..our recent survey (July '06) showed we could save up to 40% on your car insurance."

This all sounds very positive. How is it then, with another year added to my no claims bonus and my car depreciated further in value, that my premium should increase by 17%? Last year I paid £350.25, this year I am being quoted at £409.43.

What happened to the "outstanding deals" being negotiated for me, by the AA, as "the UK's biggest car and home insurance broker, dealing with over 20 leading insurers"?

How is it I visit one other website, moneysupermarket.com, and obtain 21 better quotes? One of the quotes is from AXA, my current insurer through the AA? The best quote was over £100 cheaper. I settled with Direct Line in the end, paying less than the premium I paid in the previous year for an identical policy, saving about £60 when compared with the AA quote

Another insurer, another story, but I guess they all do this..... Direct line offer to "securely store your payment details so that we may automatically renew your policy for subsequent years. Select NO if you do not agree to this."

Having a healthy disdain for direct debits and recurring payments I select no. Recurring payments rely on your complacency, you're unlikely to ever get a good deal if you agree to them. I have a feeling a few percent is bunged on top of what you paid the prior year, right or wrong, I certainly feel that way about my AA quote

A note to the wise: always say No to Direct Debits. Always get a second opinion, always get a second quote.

Interestingly, I used moneysupermarket.com as well and was quite surprised Barlcays insurance refused to quote me. The reason they gave was because of my driving convictions.

My driving convictions consist of one offence, having been flashed by a speed camera for "driving in excess of the speed limit, on a public road" (code SP30). The offence occurred over twelve months ago near Brighton. I was five miles over the speed limit, doing 35 in a 30 zone, which I was sure was a 40. I got three points and a fine.

Other than that I have a clean licence, and have never made an insurance claim. I'm an existing Barclays customer, but of course, this fact wasn't inlcuded in whatever screening process they apply to offer insurance. If you've been flashed by a speed camera you  won't be offered insurance by Barclays. Don't you just love great customer service!