I have my house insured twice

juckster

I took out a home insurance policy in March2008.

Unbeknown to me, my previous insurers had also renewed the policy for another year. They sent me a renewal letter saying that all i had to do was to sign the renewal and post it back to them and the insurance would continue for another year at the renewal price. I didn't sign and return the renewal note and therefore assumed it wouldn't continue.

I renewed my insurance with another company at a lower price and was happy.

However, a couple of weeks ago I noticed that dd's were going out to my old ins comany, so I phoned them up to ask why. They said the renewal would go ahead if I didn't cancel it, however, they said they would refund half the overpayment. They said I would have to approach my new insurers to claim back the other half.

When I phoned my new insurers, they said that my old insurers should refund 100% of the overpayment.

What is the correct solution ?


Many thanks,


Juckster

Quentin

Your gripe is with the "old" insurers.

Put the situation to them in writing, and ask them to refund the money they took without your authorisation.

From what you say,their admin seems a bit suspect, so to at least stop them getting any more from you now whilst they investigate, cancel the direct debit at your bank.

I,M_SAD

Tescos did same to me today,took whole years insurance and I had found a cheaper one elsewhere.Woman on helpline very helpful and said it was happening to a lot of people,they will refund the £336 in 5 - 14 days.:oI admit never read the small print,just saw the quote and went elsewhere,I now have £42 to last me until refund:rolleyes:
Apparently you have to ring and cancel the new quote they send you or they automatically renew you.Check and see if you are in the 'cooling off'period of 14 days,although I think it,s pretty bad they use your bank detail;s to renew an insurance you hav,nt agreed to.

Rolandtheroadie

Your old insurer should refund the lot as you never took any insurance out with them for this year.

vegankris

I had a similar thing happen to me recently(I was dually insured because building insurance was covered in my factors fees unbeknown to me at the time when i bought my house) but i had to provide evidence to my old insurer(halifax) that I had another policy in place with a new insurer before they would rebate my money. After I send halifax the info they'd requested by recorded delivery they sent me a cheque for 100% of the rebate without any further ado.

jackieb

I moved house in June and got new cheaper insurance through my bank. I forgot to cancel my old one as it was paid by monthly DD as well. When I phoned the broker to cancel the old insurance in August/September, the girl on the phone said I should be entitled to a refund of the payments i'd made since taking out my new insurance, I got 2 months payments back. Just phone and ask. Good luck.

stormCat99

If you are still having difficulties getting the money back from your old insurer, I'd have thought you would be able to claim under the direct debit guarantee? Given that the paperwork they sent you said it would renew only if you replied, and you didn't reply. So at least you have some evidence.

Todddeman

Some insurers (especially house) will have an auto-renew facility if you pay by direct debit, you should in theory just send them a letter with proof of your insurance (schedule) for your new company and aslong as the dates match there should be no problem.

You could also make an indemnity claim through your bank for the direct debits though this could incur costs.

DON79

If you do a direct debit indemnity under the direct debit guarantee, there is no charge for this. I have twice had to do this when a company collected funds on the wrong dates and wrong amounts and I was not told about it. But I have never been charged for it. and I work for high st bank. If you have no luck with the insurance company, then approach your bank about doing a dd indemnity.