swinton car insurane cancellation HELP!!!

hellcon2k

hello

i joined swinton in may and was given 10% discount for joining online.
i cancelled my insurance a few days ago as i cant afford a car at the moment so i went to the office to cancel, she said that i had to pay a cancellation fee which was ok but then she said i also had to pay back the discount that i was given online? ive never known for that to happen so now i have to pay swinton £159.52 can they actually do that?

many thanks

lisyloo

If they "told" you up front that the 10% was based on holding the insurance for a year, then I'm sure they can (where "told" means it was in the documents).

Would you be better off putting the onsurance "on hold" until you can afford to run the car again.
I would ask them whether there is an option to suspend it.
There might be an admin fee, but it still might be a better way to go.

dunstonh

It is disclosed in their terms which are copied and pasted below:

If we have given you a discount off your premium at inception this will be deducted on a pro rata basis from any refund due to you on cancellation of your policy at any time.

McKneff

doesnt seem as if you have a choice then. I would try lisyloo's suggestion

raskazz

This is pretty common, for example under the Post Office's £50 cashback offer, if the policy is subsequently cancelled mid-term then the £50 is deducted from any return of premium.

As long as it's in the T+Cs then it is legitimate.