Car Insurance - being hassled

Luddite_2

We swopped our car insurance this year and didn't remember to tell the old one about this for a couple of weeks - but we did cancel the dd. They have started hassling us for the £15 for the two weeks that we didn't ring them. We have got to the point where they are quite happy to let the matter drop if I can send them proof of alternative insurance. I don't see that they have any right to ask for it. I had a years contract with them - full stop. Do they have any right? I want to forward this to the ombudsman - as far as I can see - end of the year's insurance end of any involvement with the company. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: I wonder if they would have paid up if I had crashed the car within those two weeks?????

Bossyboots

It is now commonplace for insurers to continue insuring if you do not tell them otherwise. My insurer is now doing this but shopping around, I couldn't find anyone competitive who doesn't. You need to check your paperwork to see whether they state this anywhere. It is a clause something like insurance will remain in force unless you inform us you wish to canel (or some such phrase).

I have never understood what business it is of theirs whether you have new insurance but I have seen a suggestion that in an accident your last known insurer could be asked to pay out although I cannot see that this works in contract law. However, if that is the case then of course they will wish to ensure that you have an alternative.

Justicia

Have you informed them formally and in writing that you are preparing to seek advice from the Financial Ombudsman?

For a dispute of a mere (to them!) £15, it may encourage them to re-consider their demands and write it off...

Luddite_2

I wrote and stated that I didn't wish to continue with them etc.. plus to take the letter as written confirmation that I would not be continuing with them when the insurance on the other car was finished in March! As far as I can see I had a years contract with them and I cancelled any further conract with them by ending my direct debit with them, which I dispute I had. It does say in their paperwork that I should (actively) cancel and "the renewal pack does advise that if we do not hear from you regarding a renewal we will assume you wish to proceed..."

I just feel irritated at the nibbling away. Anyone else might have paid up the £15 when they received the threat of passing the "debt" onto a collection agency etc etc. Is is a moral way to make money out of people though. This is why I want it to go to the ombudsman whether or not they drop it.

Right now I have flu so will I ever get the energy back to do it!

Justicia

Justicia wrote:

Have you informed them formally and in writing that you are preparing to seek advice from the Financial Ombudsman?

For a dispute of a mere (to them!) £15, it may encourage them to re-consider their demands and write it off...

I recall that to consult with the FOS, you will have needed to have (or made efforts to have) exhausted all avenues with resolving the issue with the "Defendant" company.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

So if, like you I did not want to pay the outstanding £15, I would personally write them a formal letter advising them of my unhappiness of the situation and advising them that if they are unable to resolve this matter this me, I would be contacting the Financial Ombudsman for their advice on the matter and that the (ex)insurer's would be hearing from them in due course...

Keep it polite yet formal and again, for the sake of £15, they may drop it.