Car insurance: any opinions on Tesco vs. Direct Line?

I've been with Tesco for the last 5 years and have to claim twice and they've been great. One was a claim that was the other persons fault and although initially I had to pay the excess and my premiums went up at the renewal time, once it was all settled with the other insurance company I was repaid the excess and the extra premium I had had to pay.

I don't get a courtesy car but you can add that to your policy. There is no point for us as we have 2 cars and can always manage with one if necessary.

Just double check whether it is the normal Tesco insurance or the Tesco Value one at that point - the value one is really really basic.

They were very good with the couple of crashes I had.

The first they had a hire car outside the front of my house the next morning and my car was back to me within a week.

The second was when somebody ran in to the back of my car, car was collected and a hire car dropped off and then it wasn't long before they let me know the car had been written off. I think the cheaque came through quite fast to.

Oh and you get clubcard points. Also when I had a better quote they sent me £30 of tesco vouchers just before Christmas.

Until recently, they were the same company but Tesco decided to branch out on their own. TBH, after working for RBS Insurance (privilege/Direct LIne/Churchill/GreenFlag) for more years than I care to remember, I have moved some of my insurances over to Tesco as they seem to be more competitive with their prices. My Pet Insurance for my 3 cats was nearly halved with exactly the same policy. I would look at some compare sites but you won't find Direct Line on any compare sites as they are 'direct' only.

Yes, I knew they used to be the same and that DL aren't on comparison sites. H works for RBS Insurance.

Thanks for the opinions everyone. Any further input gratefully received.

I've never been with Direct Line so can't compare really however i've been with Tesco for all the time that i've been driving and they've been brilliant whenever i needed them.

I've been driving about 7 years (i think) Have only had to claim once and everything was sorted out quickly. Last year when checking out my renewal i found that virgin were cheaper for me but because i didn't want to switch companies really as tesco have always been great when i've needed them i phoned and asked if they'd price match which they actually beat the virgin quote.

I am now also with them for the buildings and contents insurance for the house, and when i was robbed in turkey two years ago i claimed for some money that was stolen and the claim was settled really quickly. Much quicker than what i claimed for through my holiday insurance.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend tesco.

See I'm the opposite as I was with Tesco about 6 years ago, had a bad accident which was caused by the other driver speeding excessively in a 30 but given as knock for knock as badly investigated by the police (I'd left the scene in an ambulance). I had to wait 10 weeks for the £9k my car was worth and couldn't afford to replace my car in the meantime even though it was my claim.

I'm now with Direct Line because they offer multi car discount, have the extras you mention and was equal best quote to Admiral with same terms.

I've also been with Diamond in the past who were also good.