Multi-car policy - the hidden charges

Nell34

Recently took out Admiral multi-car policy. All seemed good. Premium highly competitive. They had come out top in quote searches separately, but this quote was even better.

Happy days, policy taken out, premium paid in full.

Literally the following day after the paperwork came through, we get through a notice that they need another £120+ - no reason specified.
AND a letter in respect of EACH car, with further charges of £17.50.

So any time there is any amendment, TWO admin fees will apply, even though they will enter the info only once.

As for the extra £120+, this is for them realising they miscalculated the quote. Erm, this is our fault how exactly??? Indian call centre - I assume recorded call - admits the mistake, so I am hoping we will manage to defeat this. If it was going to cost this much, we'd have gone with the separate quotes at the outset!!!

Moral of the story - this is our first and last multi-car policy. I have had car insurances for 16 years and have never come across such underhand tactics. Admiral needs to be demoted.

Rolandtheroadie

Been with Admiral for 2 years now and have had no problems whatsoever. Have been £50-£75 cheaper both years (overall).
It's hardly underhanded if it's a mistake by call centre staff. Could you not have cancelled the policy if you wern't happy? Especially as they admitted fault?

Nell34

In my mind, a quote is a quote - not an estimate. They put their price up there and we relied on it in good faith. They should not come back and ask for more later. Same as I can't go back to a shop in the sale and ask for the discount after I bought at original price. It was the price at the time, contract tied up on that basis.

They tried to claim new information came to light, but it's info they had on file and we can easily prove that, the first car having been insured with them for some time. That was when they admitted their Sales people hadn't checked all the facts.

missile

If you are not happy, be sure to cancel within 14 days or you will be hit with a cancellation fee.
It is not clear, is the £17.50 an amendment fee? 2x£17.50 is £35. Some companies charge this for one ammendment.

You do not say what info? I believe you have an obligation to disclose the facts. It seems like a genuine error by you or them. I can see why you are upset with Admiral, but why blame this on the multi-car policy

Quentin

Admiral say that they give "up to 23%" discount for 2 cars on the same policy.

You can often get £80 (and more) cashback from the cashback sites. So check out whether the Admiral policy is competitive with getting £160 in cashback with 2 separate policies with cashback

vikingaero

I would avoid Policies within the Admiral Group - Elephant, Admiral, Bell Direct & Diamond. They are cheap for a reason and often stripped of cover. As the OP has found out there are admin charges for changes.

If you have a modified car then you could get stung with Admirals notorious Standard Parts Replacement Clause.

Rolandtheroadie

Are Admiral the only group that charge for amendments?
I'm worried now, what cover is likely to have been stripped from my policy?

As far as a standard part replacement policy, I dont mod my cars so this suits me just fine.

Quentin

No, charging for amendments is the norm.

Companies that don't are the exception.

But why do say you are worried about this "stripping" cover?

Rolandtheroadie

A bit tongue in cheek, I'm very happy with my Admiral policies.
I just wondered what cover was supposedly "stripped" to give me a cheaper quote.

Nell34

Thanks for comments, all.

The "info" they had missed was re a claim we had made on the first car - that claim having been on an Admiral policy, so quite clearly info in their knowledge and control. Sales Dept had "forgotten to double check". We had in fact been delighted with their customer service then, and had recommended them to others. Which makes us all the more gutted at their shoddy behaviour now.

I was shocked at the comment above that some charge up to £35 for amendments. To me, if they market this as a multi-car "policy" (not policies) they should only charge one fee, not two.

We are nearing end of cancellation period, so waiting to see what Admiral say tomorrow, will then decide to ditch them.

soolin

Nell34 wrote: »

Thanks for comments, all.

The "info" they had missed was re a claim we had made on the first car - that claim having been on an Admiral policy, so quite clearly info in their knowledge and control. Sales Dept had "forgotten to double check". We had in fact been delighted with their customer service then, and had recommended them to others. m.

So are you saying that you told them about this claim and they omitted it, or that you didn't tell them and expected them to search for it themselves? Makes a lot of difference.