Payed for 2 car insurances - Please help with getting some of it back!

ffeindadifyr

OK, I need help, but I'm not too sure if this is the correct place to post... so please excuse me.

My dad had previously set-up to pay for his car insurance via direct debit, then a year later he found a new insurer who he took a new policy out with.

At this point he went into the bank and cancelled the direct debit (but didn't tell the old insurer). The bank now claims that he hadn't cancelled the direct debit and subsequently 3 months of insurance has been taken out of his account by the old insurance firm! (whilst covered by the new firm)

He has tried to get the money backdated, to which the old company has refused :mad: , stating:

"I regret to inform you that it is not possible to backdate the cancellation of your policy to *** because of motoring insurance regulations.

The motor insurance database holds details of all vehicles and their insurance policies. In the case of an accident, it enables a claimants and the police to identify the relevent insurers from the reg. mark of the vehicle."

I find this strange... as if there was such a database how could they not know that my father had taken out another insurance policy on the same car?

Is there any way that you could advise to have this decision changed, as this has proved VERY costly, money which my father can ill-afford.

impy78

What you need to do is to go back to the original insurance and state that the car has been dually insured.

As this is illegal in the UK, they will need to cancel your policy and if you provide them with proof of your other policy, they should be able to backdate the charges.

Point out that a refusal to cancel the insurance date from the inception date of your new policy would be in breach of the road traffic act.

That should have them running around in circles!!!

ffeindadifyr

Thanks Impy!

I'll give this a try, hopefully I'll get a result?!? If anybody has anymore advice it would be most welcome!

samtman

I work for direct line and we have to refund the money as being duel insured is illegal. Some companies will refund 50% and let the other pay the 50% just make sure you have copies of your docs to show duel insurance

ffeindadifyr

Cheers, As it is illegal - does any responsibilty for duel insurance fall on my father?

I'd just like to be sure before I use this line!

impy78

No, because as far as he was concerned the policy had not renewed, and he cancelled the policy as soon as he was aware.

ffeindadifyr

OK huge problem - the insurance company - norwich union - have just told my dad that he has na chance of getting any of the money back... and when he mentioned the breach of the roads traffic act and he mentioned legal proceedings they told him to go ahead and that he wouldn't get anything!!! Please anymore help would be appreciated!

trigger_mike

Did he sign to stay with them for another year? if not them im sure their are in the wrong, have you contacted the fsa? they look ito things like this http://www.fsa.gov.uk/
Also it sounds like a huge error on the banks part, has he got prove that he cancelled the direct debit?

ffeindadifyr

He did not sign for another year.. but also didn't reply to their letter to tell them to cancel it (I seem to think that this must be wrong - as they did not get an agreemet to carry on for another year, they assumed it!).

He does have proof that he told the bank to cancel the DD but we have now stumbled accross some paperwork from the bank that they weren't sure which DD to cancel (although there was only one car insurance DD) - as on his bank statement it says the company are Norwich Union but on the DD slip that the bank have they are under a different name.

It's as if there have been many errors, but I would rather get the money back from the insurer, particularly now that they have been so rude!

But the bank will be the next port of call!

Any advice from people who have successfully got their money back would be very welcome!

ffeindadifyr

Sorry, started to post here and wanted to post somewhere else

impy78

Phone Norwich Union

Speak to a team leader/supervisor or a manager.

Tell them that you wish to make an official complaint to the ombudsman regarding the dual insurance they provided.

As the ombudsman charges the company £300 for even investigating your case, then they are more than likely to reconsider.