THE ACID TEST IS WHEN YOU CLAIM - this was the last line of my 5 star review posted on Trustpilot, when I decided to switch my car policy to Budget Insurance in April 2019 after they quoted £80 less than my renewal quote for the same cover, a saving of 27%. However, I was involved in a non-fault accident in January 2020, when another driver ran into the back of my car. Reported the incident and Budget referred me to IMS Solutions their accident management company. I declined a courtesy car initially as my vehicle was still driveable. I was asked to provide photos to evidence the damage to my vehicle. It was declared a write off due to being beyond economical repair. The car then failed it's MOT due to damage caused to the boot floor not visible from the exterior. Although I had 'courtesy car ' cover this does not apply when your car is declared a write off. The accident management company were left to pursue the third party but after 90 days without success told me the matter would be passed to the underwriter. Contacted the underwriter who had to start the claim from square one. So 4 months on I have been paid out but from my own insurance with the excess deducted. So currently it is going against me as a fault claim. Clearly not happy and I will not rest. The underwriter is now issuing legal proceedings against the third party insurer. I have complained to Budget Insurance, who confirmed that I should have been made aware of the option to have the accident dealt with by the underwriter from the outset and I have received compensation for their failure to follow procedures. I maybe stating the obvious but Budget Insurance forms part of the BGL group of companies that includes Compare The Market and amongst many things I have learnt from this experience is that price is not always the best component on which to base a decision.