uSwitch.com: Launch of Tesco Compare.com

In response to the launch of Tesco Compare.com, Aron Thompson, Head of Insurance at independent online price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com comments: “The internet is fast becoming the major route for the purchase of car insurance so it is good to see another player join the online price comparison market and raise awareness of the real benefits that these services can offer.

“Tesco Compare.com is backed by the Royal Bank Of Scotland (RBS) Group, which, through its various brands such as Churchill, Direct Line and Privilege, and partnerships such as Virgin, Lloyds TSB and Nationwide, controls over 30%1 of the motor insurance market. This is a particularly interesting move by the group that, to date, has not allowed any of its brands onto a price comparison service. We hope that RBS will now work with uSwitch.com and other comparison sites in order to create a level playing field so that consumers have a free and open market from which they can compare policies.

“The concept behind uSwitch.com’s own motor insurance comparison and switching service is that consumers shouldn’t compare policies on price alone. Our product includes a set of filters that enables motorists to compare the cover on a number of levels – from providers with UK-based call centres and a 24/7 claims helpline, to those that include a courtesy car and a replacement child car seat.

“A further benefit is that, once a customer has selected an insurer, they can recall the quote directly from the insurance provider’s website. This removes the lengthy process of having to re-enter all the information for a second time, as well as ensuring that the price indicated on uSwitch.com is the same as if the customer were to go direct to the insurer’s website to buy the policy.”

Thompson concludes: “Following its recent adverts that campaigned against ‘the middle man’, it will be interesting to see if the RBS brand Direct Line continues its refusal to be listed against its peers - especially as Privilege, which is underwritten by Direct Line, is included on the Tesco site.”