Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

[MattBLancs]

Fault codes read this morning (will add here in a bit) short (school run) drive with only minor steam engine simulator effect.

One instance of "risk of particulate filter blockage" which I'd think is just the differential pressure bring high due to the wet filter.

About 45 minutes igling in the drive whilst Diagbox on the go, but from the temperatures logged that was only just getting above 100 °C.

Windscreen replacement booked in for tomorrow, National Windscreens through my insurance. £150 windscreen excess! Steeper than I expected. Ah well.

[PaulC5]

When checking car insurers I have found a big difference in windscreen excesses, not something often claimed on but when picking an insurer the lowest priced ones could turn out dearer if any claims on things are made. Also admin charges vary if there are any changes made.

[MattBLancs]

When checking car insurers I have found a big difference in windscreen excesses, not something often claimed on but when picking an insurer the lowest priced ones could turn out dearer if any claims on things are made. Also admin charges vary if there are any changes made.

Yes, seems to vary a fair bit. It's rather odd, the policy excess is very reasonable (from memory £30) but windscreen replacement excess worse than typical (£90-£115 according to Google) ah well!

[CitroJim]

Just caught up with all your latest news Matt; great work and an interesting read

[ozfrog]

When checking car insurers I have found a big difference in windscreen excesses, not something often claimed on but when picking an insurer the lowest priced ones could turn out dearer if any claims on things are made. Also admin charges vary if there are any changes made.

Yes, seems to vary a fair bit. It's rather odd, the policy excess is very reasonable (from memory £30) but windscreen replacement excess worse than typical (£90-£115 according to Google) ah well!

Because of where I live in regional/rural Australia, windscreen chips and cracks are always a hazard. Driving on unsealed roads is not my usual pattern; the greater concerns involve narrow roads and unsealed shoulders. I found one insurer offering a single ‘free’ glass replacement annually with no excess. They also allow monthly premium payments, without additional cost. That's a rarity in this country.

They don't rank as the most affordable insurer when I get quotes through comparison sites like Canstar.com.au or finder.com.au, along with many others. (Do such comparison sites exist anywhere other than Australia?) Most insurers do not routinely provide a ‘free’ glass replacement each year. When I add that to the other quotes and factor in monthly payments at no additional cost, my insurer compares quite favourably.

In my state of Australia, we also have to buy Third Party Personal insurance as an additional expense with our car registration. If I buy my comprehensive car insurance with my particular company, they give me a substantial discount on the Third Party Personal Insurance.

[MattBLancs]

Interesting differences to the UK. We have comparison sites: money supermarket, compare the meerkat, confused.com.
The later is currently giving me a free coffee once a month as bought my car policy through them.

We have to have car insurance, minimum cover you can buy is "third party only" - interesting that's a separate entity for you in Oz

Glass chip repairs are normally free on a Fully Comprehensive insurance policy, but normal for there to be a separate "glass excess" if full windscreen needed. There can also an extra fee if you use other than their "approved" glass repairer which seems to be a "charge because they can" !

[ozfrog]

confused.com.

That's my permanent residence!

The later is currently giving me a free coffee once a month as bought my car policy through them.

Is that enough?

Most Australians would be asking for a free coffee once every 12 hours, at least! One on the way to work and one at lunch time would be the bare minimum requirement. Many (maybe most) visitors to Australia are amazed at the coffee drinking culture that exists here. It is both quality and quantity that seems to amaze visitors. My sister, who lived in Italy for a few years before returning to Australia, bought her own espresso machine about 5 years ago at a cost of $1200, she told me recently. I don't know what machine she owns, but that price point is considered to be the bottom end of the serious home espresso machines. One man I know spent over $4500 on his machine, also about 5 years ago. Personally, I think that's crazy!

And do you have to get it from one of their approved coffee suppliers?

We have to have car insurance, minimum cover you can buy is "third party only" - interesting that's a separate entity for you in Oz

What does your minimum cover "third party only" cover? Our Compulsory Third Party Insurance (I think Australia-wide, although it is administered and run differently in the different states) covers only personal injury. It doesn't cover any damage to other vehicles. And I'd have to consult my memory instead of my forgettory to know if it covered other property damage; my inclination is to say that it doesn't.

Different states have different rules about how this compulsory third party only insurance is "sold", for want of a better term. My state, New South Wales (NSW), some years ago decided to open it up to competition, presumably in the hope of lowering prices for the motoring public. I don't know if that's been a success! There's certainly no standard pricing now, but is it cheaper than it would otherwise have been? I'm not brave/smart/stupid enough to make that call.

Glass chip repairs are normally free on a Fully Comprehensive insurance policy, but normal for there to be a separate "glass excess" if full windscreen needed. There can also an extra fee if you use other than their "approved" glass repairer which seems to be a "charge because they can"!

I don't have to use their approved glass repairer for windscreen replacement. But my insurance company made life as difficult as they possibly could when I chose to use a different repairer! I now use their approved repairer.

I've never heard of chip repairs being "free" under any insurance policy. I can't imagine any insurance company giving away anything for free!