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In This Review

• Sterling Car Insurance: Overall Review
• Customer Reviews and Ratings
• Fees
• Phone numbers and policy documents

Sterling Car Insurance Overall Review

Sterling is a broker so they will try to find you the best price from their selection of partners, which includes some of the biggest UK car insurance companies such as Ageas, Aviva and AXA. Here is a list of some of the car insurance brands they work with—an impressive list!

Interestingly, while you'll see Sterling on comparison sites such as our parter QuoteZone, they say you'll get the best deal by calling in to their sales lines (0344 381 9990)—in many other areas of life, you get the best deal online. If you have time and are very price sensitive, it may be worth getting quotes online AND over the phone and seeing which is better for you.

In terms of features, what you get will depend on which company underwrites your policy. However, Sterling offers lots of features as add ons, which means you can customise your policy to your needs, to a large extent.

Features

Since Sterling is a broker that deals with many different insurers, customers might get different features depending on which company has underwritten their policy. But they do say all policies include legal protection as standard, as well as driving in the EU for up to 30, 60 or 90 days.

Here are some of the add ons they offer:

Sterling Car Insurance Customer Service Reviews and Ratings

Sterling has been rated with 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot by over 6,000 customers—quite a high rating for car insurance. More than half of reviewers rated Sterling as "Excellent". As a test, we called in to ask a few questions about discounts and found that not only did we get through to a customer service rep instantly, but that the rep was very helpful and polite.

We also scoured the Trustpilot reviews to try to spot any consistent complaints that could be an issue and to see what people like about Sterling. Here's a sample of what we found. Positive reviews are frequently about the low prices and helpful call centre staff:

"We rang up, to arrange my first car insurance as a "L" driver, the lady I spoke to was extremely helpful, and informative, giving me advice that I was not aware of. She was so helpful I wouldn't think twice about recommending this instance company."

"A very easy experience with very helpful emails and tips. The online page is uncluttered and to the point. The insurance prices are excellent."

"I've been driving all my life, well from the age of 18, and apart from a couple of small claims I have never had a problem. However, as I got older and I am now 86 it is difficult to get insured. That is why I would thoroughly recommend Stirling Insurance who went out of their way to help me. Their service is second to none The staff are a credit to your company and couldn't have been more helpful. Thank you Stirling for having faith in me and allowing this petrol head to carry on with my only passion that of driving."

"Needed to change register number to private plate. Would have preferred to do this online rather than having to call. Call operative was efficient and process was quick."

The negative customer reviews covered a lot of territory, with a number on the topic of price rises and difficulty with the set up process (e.g., getting your NCD accepted and getting documents). Here are a few samples:

"Only problem I have is that I have still not received any policy documentation as requested be sent by post. The original conversations I had were on the 23 August and chased or re-sent by Chris but still not received now over a month later! No idea of policy Nos etc only verbal from Chris that they were in place.. What is happening PLEASE."

"Set up process doesn’t work smoothly. Website log on also didn’t work. And had problems getting paperwork accepted. All in all quite poor service."

"First was informed that my annual cost would be 800 GBP, which was why I accepted the offer. A few weeks later it was changed to 1700 GBP—really and disappointing."

But what do customers have to say about the claims experience? We looked through all of the Trustpilot reviews for references to claim situations. We only found a few mentions of claiming on a Sterling policy. Many were positive, but not all. Here's what was said by real customers:

"Sterling insurance is not who you talk to when you have a claim Auxilis is the company you talk to not Stirling how do I get in touch with Stirling insurance??????"

"Accident Jan 2021 other party accepted fault went through their insurers and came to fix my wing mirror. Their database still shows as my fault costs £5000 on my renewal letter, even though Aviva say it is no fault no liability and coplus who manged the claim accepted this 18 months ago. It's taken hours of my life phoning / emailing HIC (Sterling were called this), coplus (handler), Auxilus (claims department, useless), Aviva (who were very helpful), Adrian Flux (couldnt help) to try and get this error fixed so far to no avail."

"No complaints from me. Very quick response to my motor accident claim. I had the accident on 12th and had the money in my bank on 21st. Well done. (1 Sept 2020)"

"So easy to set up, only with them 24hrs and had to claim for my windscreen. So easy very helpful. Would recommend. (16 Mar 2020)"

"From first using Sterling as a new driver in 2020, you have been very helpful in helping with queries and also during a claim of malicious damage to my vehicle, which I found most upsetting at the time. I have now just commenced my 2nd year with Sterling and have found Sterling to offer an excellent service. Thank you. (17 Feb 2021)"

Sterling Car Insurance Discounts

Sterling offers many car insurance discounts that you'd find elsewhere in the market, such as money off for safe driving, no claims discounts and paying in full each year. Additionally, there are some other ways to save with Sterling such as a limited mileage policy for those who don't drive a lot.

Cancellation & Administration Fees

As a broker, Sterling will charge administration fees for arranging or renewing a policy, making changes, cancelling your policy, etc.—these are in addition to any fees charged by the underwriter.

Important Sterling Car Insurance Phone Numbers

Sterling customer service is available over the phone on Monday - Friday from 9am - 5:30pm and Saturday from 9am - 2pm—they're not open on Sundays.

Types of Car Insurance Available from Sterling

FAQs

Policy Documents

Those getting insurance through Sterling can be insured by a number of different insurers. Here you can find the policy wording depending on which insurer underwrites your policy—we always recommend reading the policy documents before signing up.

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