Issue 151

Women Only Car Insurance: Good/Bad?

29th January 2007

When I first bought my car, I had the same problem as every other young driver just starting out: Who do I take out insurance with?

In a vain attempt to narrow down the choices, I started with womenonly insurance companies. It might be worth it if it meant shaving any more pennies off the other enormous quotes I'd had, and after all, that is what the companies are there for.

I went on the competing websites of Diamond and Sheila's Wheels. One boasting 'a girl's best friend', and the other with glamorous ladies in a 1967 pink Cadillac, it's undeniable that they want your custom. So I started with Diamond.

To insure my 'P' registered Ford Fiesta in Swansea in my name, as a 19 year old, without a no claims bonus, costs £1016 including a 10% online discount with Diamond. That was fairly straight forward.

However not was the case for Sheila's Wheels. They don't insure anyone without at least one year of no claims. Oh. And they don't insure students. Oh! And I was too young for a policy… Oh dear Sheila's Wheels, just who do you insure?

This gave me an idea. To insure a man, named Mr Rebecca Lewis, who is single, 30, unemployed, and lives in Swansea with his Ford Fiesta, and dog called Rover, with one year's no claims costs £768! Well I was fed up by then, never mind offended that Shiela's wheels didnt want my custom, but they did of an imaginary gentleman! So, you ladies who insure your cars, you might as well be a man from mars.

In this case it was Diamond who came up trumps. Even if they aren't the cheapest around then the company's policy is encouraging. 'We try and persuade women to be more independent in their decisions about their cars', in other words there's more to life than the kitchen.

'Hopefully Diamond is the one for you'.

Oh and to all you 30-year-old single gentlemen out there, who own a Fiesta and a dog called Rover? Insurance with Diamond is a more expensive option for you at £856. So it would seem that Sheila's Wheels will have more male customers than females this time. Definitely, Diamond is a girl's best friend, and then, who knows? Maybe one day it'll be Fred's Wheels.

Becky Lewis