Help Swinton are demanding money for a policy I don't have

kate1976

I really hope someone can help me, I used to have my insurance with norwich union which I got through swinton, I recently changed to direct line as they were the cheapest, that's when the trouble started!!

Swinton sent me a letter thanking me for using them to renew my policy and stated the direct debit dates etc, can they even automatically renew without my consent?? I sent them a letter explaining that I hadn't renewed my policy and was now with another insurer. I then received a letter explaining that my policy would be cancelled within 7 days as they couldn't get direct debit, (because I'd cancelled the direct debit) I have this morning received a letter telling me they've cancelled the policy (which if you remember I didn't even agree to anyway) and I now owe them £86.43 for outstanding cover, nothing is outstanding!!

Please help me, a template letter to send would be good too, I'm not paying for something I never wanted in the first place which was why I cancelled and it's really annoyed me as well that they went ahead and renewed automatically!!

Thank you and I'm sorry if this makes no sense, I'm angry and also got a headache so just rambled!

ajaney

Hi

Looks like you have fallen victim to 'Auto-renewal' where the company automatically renews your policy unless you instruct them not to. It is legal, unfortunatley.

Did you receive a renewal notice from them? If so & you still have it, I would expect it says 'Unless you contact us, we will renew your policy on XX date' followed by some guff about it being convenient to you.

I'm not 100% sure about what you should od from here - perhaps deny receiving any renewal notice?

kate1976

Thanks for your reply! I received my renewal papers after I'd already joined direct line and that's when I sent the letter expalining I didn't want their (expensive) policy! Stupid people, it's really wound me up! I'm going to be writing a very long letter of complaint and I'm not paying them a penny, apparently they've already passed me to debt agency so I have their fees to look forward to as well!! What a mess! :mad:

JonBoy_SCFC

kate1976 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply! I received my renewal papers after I'd already joined direct line and that's when I sent the letter expalining I didn't want their (expensive) policy! Stupid people, it's really wound me up! I'm going to be writing a very long letter of complaint and I'm not paying them a penny, apparently they've already passed me to debt agency so I have their fees to look forward to as well!! What a mess! :mad:

having 2 insurance policies on the same car is against the law, so i think the key here is that you must be able to prove to Swinton that you've been covered by Direct Line since your last renewal

It should be easy for you to get Direct Line to send you something that proves this - as soon as Swinton have this then i would guess they would write off the money they claim you owe them

kate1976

JonBoy_SCFC wrote: »

having 2 insurance policies on the same car is against the law, so i think the key here is that you must be able to prove to Swinton that you've been covered by Direct Line since your last renewal

It should be easy for you to get Direct Line to send you something that proves this - as soon as Swinton have this then i would guess they would write off the money they claim you owe them

Sorry I forgot to mention it was home contents insurance! My policy with norwich union/swinton ran out 21 November, I'd arranged cover with Direct line a week before which started on 21 November and explained this to swinton! I can't tell you how angry I am at the moment, they're not getting a single penny out of me!

FlameCloud

JonBoy_SCFC wrote: »

having 2 insurance policies on the same car is against the law, so i think the key here is that you must be able to prove to Swinton that you've been covered by Direct Line since your last renewal

Care to quote the actual law? Or are you just spouting rubbish?

raskazz

JonBoy_SCFC wrote: »

having 2 insurance policies on the same car is against the law

No it isn't.

medders2604

I had this last year with Liverpool Victoria, sent them a copy of the letter I had sent them cancelling along with my certificate from my new insurers and they sorted it out.
Make sure you check your file on experion though in case it's showing on there.

olly300

One of the issues here is that household insurance is not compulsory under any law, and if the OP decides she doesn't want it any more Swinton or any insurer should not be able to ask for another insurance certificate. They should not auto renew if the customer asks them not to.

kate1976

Ok an update, I sent off a letter (thank you Olly300) and have today received a letter which reads:

Please provide confirmation of your alternative cover commencing from your renewal date and then we can approach your insurers to see if they will backdate the cancellation. If this is not received within the next seven days the full outstanding balance will become due.

What do I do now?? I'm so confused and I really don't have a clue when it comes to insurance things!

olly300

I sent you another PM.

Just realised you are not paying by direct debit so ignore that bit.

However do threaten to report them to the FSA as you did inform them you cancel. Also inform them that if they insist on pursing you, you will take further action and do.

Check your credit file in about 3 months time. You can do it free using a trial for experian online. There are ways of clearing it up without going to court. So post back on one of the forum boards if you need help.