The Idol

The Idol is the "trading style" of Investment Discounts On-Line Ltd, which was established in 1999 to sell financial services online (life assurance, general insurance, pensions, mortgages and loans, income protection and legal services).

The insurance division concentrates on personal general insurance in the following areas:

• Motor: car, classic car, van, motorbike, breakdown.
• Bicycle
• Home: buildings and contents.
• Landlord
• Travel: Single/multi-trip, long-stay, backpacker.
• Pet: cat and dog.
• Health: private medical & dental.
• Income: Mortgage Payment Protection, Sickness & Accident, PHI, Sports Accident.

A "one-search" engine (a la Moneysupermarket) produces multiple quotations for car, home and travel insurance. Click on the appropriate buy button to proceed online or to receive a contact telephone number. You may have to fine tune your requirements directly with the insurer (e.g. whether you want car legal cover, protected no-claims bonus, single or multi-trip travel cover etc.) to get a final quote.

The remainder of the site is somewhat disappointing with only one to three providers quoting in each insurance area. Other than landlord insurance (one provider), there are no business general insurance facilities.