Car insurance auto-renewal issue

togauk

In January 2008 I took out a years insurance with ibuyeco for my car and paid the balance up front. Towards the end of last year I moved to the Netherlands and have since sold the car.

I recently had some post forwarded on from the current occupiers of the house which informed me that the policy had been renewed automatically and as payment was declined (I no longer have the bank account) I owe them a cancellation fee of 100 quid. They have now passed the debt to a collection agency.

It appears that bueried in the ibuyeco terms and conditions there is an auto renewal clause. They will not however send me a copy of the terms and conditions as I am outside the UK. They are still insisting I pay the amount.

Has anyone had any experience of this and any idea of my rights? Although I don't live in the UK and have no intention of paying the amount I don't want my credit rating ruined in case I ever return and I also dont want the new owners of my house harrased!

Engadine

I currently have a similar issue with First Quote Insurance. I took out the policy in December 2007, moved house in January 2008, couldn't get through to them by phone to advise of new address so wrote to them.

I transferred ownership of the car to my husband in December 2008, once First Quote Policy had expired. He took out car insurance in the car in his name.

Yesterday I got a call from a debt collection agency saying that I owe money for the policy as it was renewed under their auto renewal scheme. I received no renewal notice from them nor have I received any letters saying that the direct debit has not been paid.

Debt collection agency advised this morning that 1st Quote are saying they have had no contact from me so I owe them the money. I have had no contact from them either. Debt Collection agency have advised me that I now must take it up directly with 1st Quote, all they could give me was the first name of the person to contact and told me to use Google to find the phone number!

I can't prove that I wrote to them as it was 15 months ago and I don't have a copy of the letter.

I am worried that my credit rating is going to be affected. Anyone have any ideas how to handle this or any experience with this situation?

steady__eddie

I received my reminder today for my insurance which expires at the end of this month. I have just seen on it that it states that because I have paid by debit/credit card previously, "your policy will automatically renew". If I do not wish this to happen, I need to notify them 12 days before the renewal date to avoid my certificate being issued.
I presume that failure to do this would incur the relevant admin fee for cancelling it afterwards if I had found a more competitive quote elsewhere and forgot to tell them into which orifice they could store thier quote.
It would appear that this is another little earner for the insurance companies.
I really must start comparing prices now instead of leaving it to the last minute like I usually do and while I'm at it I'll tell present insurers that I do not wish to renew. I can always go back to them if need be.

Amanita_2

When paying for my car insurance by card I tell them that they have authority for this transaction ONLY and that I am not authorising a CAT.

They don't like it one bit but neither Diamond and Elephant have even attempted to auto renew.