Choicequote Direct - is this allowed?

angelfire

Hi, my partner's car insurance was up for renewal on Sunday 5th. we received the renewal quote last week but it wasn't competitive. Tried to ring his existing insurer, Choicequote Direct, on Sunday but they were closed. We rang yesterday only to be told we'll have to pay a £20 cancellation fee plus two days insurance cover for Sunday and Monday - can they do this as we aren't actually cancelling anything, we have received no certificate of insurance from them covering us from the 5th?

I was under the impression that we had a 14 day cooling off period. I know this same situation happened with my own insurance with Churchill last month and they made no charge whatsoever and in that case I was four days past my renewal!

I've tried calling the FSA just to get a bit of advice, but went on hold for 15 mins only to be told to ring back tomorrow as they're so busy!

hoping someone on here can advise - even if it's to say that choicequote are within their rights.

raskazz

What strikes me as rather odd is that you only received the renewal notice last week. They should really be sending it in good time so that you have 2 or 3 weeks notice prior to the renewal date. What date was the postmark on the envelope containing your renewal documentation?

In strict terms the insurer can charge for time on cover plus an administration fee if you cancel within the cooling-off period. Churchill clearly choose not to, but that doesn't prevent others from doing so. Just because a certificate had not been received thus far does not mean that you were not covered.

If the renewal notice was sent out late or if the firm has very restrictive opening hours (closing on sundays in itself is not that onerous to the consumer) then you may have grounds for a complaint.

Premier_2

You need to refer to their terms of business with you.

Many companies will automatically renew policies unless otherwise advised to ensure ongoing cover in the event say payment is forgotton, delayed in post etc. You'd hate it if you had actually posted off the premium at the beginning of last week, had an expensive accident yesterday only to be told you're not covered because they hadn't received payment.

Any 14 day cooling off period is subject to the insurance cover not having commenced. Where it has commenced, the insurer is entitled to claim for the period that was at risk. You can ask for proof of this cover if you want.