Any question answered...

I like it TS. Ta.

^^ghmoiarbh?

Too busy being clever to have a shave, the scruffy bastard.

what should my avatar be?

Μαρία Μενούνου

"Can you find the lightning rod?"

Girl just asked me the very same question...

I like it TS. Ta.

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120815211944/superugly18angrybirds/images/thumb/8/87/Meme-face-thumbs-up.png/299px-Meme-face-thumbs-up.png

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120815211944/superugly18angrybirds/images/thumb/8/87/Meme-face-thumbs-up.png/299px-Meme-face-thumbs-up.png

+

http://65.98.18.218/images/D/0095_l.jpg

?

My parents have paid my car insurance since I was a kid, and very kindly continue to do so as a gift, however I just discovered that they seem to be paying well over the odds.

I'm 28 and drive a 2001 1.8L Ford Focus. I've had my licence for over 10 years and haven't had a speeding ticket since I was 20 (I think they expire). I've had one minor accident 4 or 5 years ago which I think ascribed blame equally (utter bollocks but in my naivety I didn't get witness details of any of the passengers on the bus that ran into me). Both my parents (clean licences, long no claims) are named drivers. Teso are saying they want £750 to renew the policy!!

Does anyone have any advice about finding and selecting the best deal? A quick skim of the internet throws up a load of quotes at less than £300 but presumably one premium is not the same as another? Is there anything important I should keep in mind or avoid?

Problem with insurance is that you never know how good it is till the shit hits the fan. You're fucked.

Is there anything important I should keep in mind or avoid?

1: Level of cover; are the cheap quotes for the same level as the £750? Your car is worth so little that you (or your parents) might as well self insure for loss or damage to your own vehicle, so look for Third Party only or TPFT. Avoid "Road Traffic Act Only", it's rarely offered but a quote that's too good to be true might be for that.
2: Excess; the more you pay for each claim, the lower your premiums will be. This is another form of self-insurance, but with a cap. £250 is standard, cheap quotes might have much higher excess so check that you're comparing like with like
3: Extras; some of the pricier policies include all sorts of extras which you may or may not either need or want, such as recovery, legal expenses cover, protected no claims discounts, replacement vehicles for you even when your wreck is your fault etc. Cheap insurance strips these out to save money.

Oh, and all the usual due diligence; make sure the broker and the insurer actually exist and subscribe to the relevant regulatory bodies.

"...You're fucked."

"... quotes for the same level as the £750? Your car is worth so little that... ...actually exist and subscribe to the relevant regulatory bodies."

^This. Good sound advice. Also, you might get lucky regardless of insurance... ;-)

can anyone rivet a badge back on to a headtube for me?

Two part epoxy.

My parents have paid my car insurance since I was a kid, and very kindly continue to do so as a gift, however I just discovered that they seem to be paying well over the odds.

I'm 28 and drive a 2001 1.8L Ford Focus. I've had my licence for over 10 years and haven't had a speeding ticket since I was 20 (I think they expire). I've had one minor accident 4 or 5 years ago which I think ascribed blame equally (utter bollocks but in my naivety I didn't get witness details of any of the passengers on the bus that ran into me). Both my parents (clean licences, long no claims) are named drivers. Teso are saying they want £750 to renew the policy!!

Does anyone have any advice about finding and selecting the best deal? A quick skim of the internet throws up a load of quotes at less than £300 but presumably one premium is not the same as another? Is there anything important I should keep in mind or avoid?

Renew the policy, then you remove the wheels and a few bits, report it as thievery, get the money of your parents back, and bring them out for dinner. A few times; with friends.

Keep in mind that you did the right thing and avoid to be caught.

You wouldn't get £750 back for the total loss of that car.

You will get something enough to fill a few bellies.

have had a £50 evans voucher for 3 months and i still can't think of a bastard thing I want to buy that isn't a waste of £50.

what the fuck should I buy with it?

Something thats on clearance? or priced matched to get it cheaper.

Mix of practical stuff. Like inner tubes, tyres, bike overshoes, gloves etc..

yeah, tires or chains

Stop thinking of it as £50, it's actually worthless except in Evans shops, better to think of it as £50 off what ever you could use from Evans.

My parents have paid my car insurance since I was a kid, and very kindly continue to do so as a gift, however I just discovered that they seem to be paying well over the odds.

I'm 28 and drive a 2001 1.8L Ford Focus. I've had my licence for over 10 years and haven't had a speeding ticket since I was 20 (I think they expire). I've had one minor accident 4 or 5 years ago which I think ascribed blame equally (utter bollocks but in my naivety I didn't get witness details of any of the passengers on the bus that ran into me). Both my parents (clean licences, long no claims) are named drivers. Teso are saying they want £750 to renew the policy!!

Does anyone have any advice about finding and selecting the best deal? A quick skim of the internet throws up a load of quotes at less than £300 but presumably one premium is not the same as another? Is there anything important I should keep in mind or avoid?

What mdcc_tester said, and take a look at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/compare-cheap-car-insurance for how to get the best deals

have had a £50 evans voucher for 3 months and i still can't think of a bastard thing I want to buy that isn't a waste of £50.

what the fuck should I buy with it?

put it towards a nice winter commuter.....

....or spend it on windproof Gore baselayers.

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/clothing/base-layers/f/gore-bike-wear#!!on_sale=1;sort=popularity

one of those really attractive Hump bag covers

I've seen some fancy specialised inner soles with shims and such. Where in London sells them, or something similar, where is the best place to get decent advice about the version that would be best for me, and what are people's experiences? I'm thinking Sigma or Condor?

bike whisperer