Motoring insurance, rogue/bad companies.

Considering that it's a legal requirement to take out vehicle insurance before one can use a motorised vehicle in the UK, is there a way of 'checking out' any insurance company beforehand? Is there a database or a government run organisation that oversees/checks their practices basically?

My insurance broker who I have used for many years has just signed me up to a company that I've never heard, Markerstudy.

Now I've seen all the one star/shocking reviews on the site below, I'm a bit concerned to be honest, comments like them all of a sudden cancelling folks policies etc don't sound good.

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.markerstudy.com

Curious, your asking for advice on how to get info on the Ins Co and then provide a source of customer feedback! Perhaps a chat with your broker to understand why the broker selected that particular company to put your business with! Why did s/he select them, were they the only ones to take your risk, was it the cheapest, what is broker's feedback. With so many online options, was/is there a particular reason for using your own broker? They say there is no value in loyalty in insurance. You may want to consider doing your own homework to find an insurer. If you decide to move insurers it may incur a penalty but your comment suggests your concerned and it may be worth it for your peace of mind.

How about defaqto?

https://www.defaqto.com/

https://www.mustard.co.uk/insurance-guides/learn/what-is-a-defaqto-rating/

5 hours ago, blueb said:

Curious, your asking for advice on how to get info on the Ins Co and then provide a source of customer feedback! Perhaps a chat with your broker to understand why the broker selected that particular company to put your business with! Why did s/he select them, were they the only ones to take your risk, was it the cheapest, what is broker's feedback. With so many online options, was/is there a particular reason for using your own broker? They say there is no value in loyalty in insurance. You may want to consider doing your own homework to find an insurer. If you decide to move insurers it may incur a penalty but your comment suggests your concerned and it may be worth it for your peace of mind.

I have seen negative comments on just about every insurance company in the past, generally folk only comment when they have had a 'bad' experience as such so I'd say that you can't go entirely by customer feedback alone. The site/comments I found is still of concern though.

The broker is one of the big ones, I'm a mature/experienced driver with full no claims etc so it's nothing to do with a risk factor aspect on my part, I just phoned them after seeing their original renewal price, after having a quick look on-line, it were way too much,....you are so right about no value in being loyal. This broker has changed who I'm with before, I've not thought much about it to be honest,.....these brokers are suppose to be 'experts' so how are we suppose to know any better?

Not sure a broker would really recommend/avoid an insurer based solely upon web comments. What happened when you asked the broker on the concerns you have with this insurer? Some brokers will deal with the whole market and some may decide to only use Class A ones, ask and see what they have to say.

I've not bothered to call them to be honest, I'm pretty sure that they would just deny any knowledge of them being bad etc, it would only result in me having to cancel/lose the money I've already paid to take out another more expensive policy no doubt.

I just wanted to know if Markerstudy were at least a bonafide, government registered company as such,......surely certain criteria must be met or can any fly by night/dodgy person set up a motoring insurance company??

I'll keep checking askmid website, to see that my vehicle is coming up as 'insured' at least, that's my main concern at the mo.