Insurers DEMANDING payment !

sussexchick

Hi All

Don't know where to post this but hopefully someone can help me ... PLEASE !

Last year I renewed my household and contents insurance using an on-line website (it was cheaper!) and I always use these for car insurance, holidays etc. It's now due for renewal and I've just received an email saying that payment is coming out from my bank account, despite me saying that 1) the premium is excessive and 2) cancel my policy. I just get some South African man spouting "I'm afraid I can't do that" as you've hit the button on the website to say that renewal is automatic. I've asked for copy of this 'button' and he now say's that they are unable to send emails !!!!!

I'm at my wits end ..... any help please .... I'm desperate

many thanks guys

Charco_2

Yes it's easy!

Speak to your bank and warn them that a fraud is about to take place on your account. If the payment has already moved then tell your bank that it was an unauthorised transaction and you'd like the money returned to the account. The bank will then sort this out.

(Similar type thing happening a lot on another forum i was reading, where people cancelled Setanta - when it fell apart - but in Ireland, Setanta Hibernia had set up and was simply trying to continue the DDs of the customers they had info on. However people were not happy to continue paying £10 a month for the vastly reduced amount of programming. You're not happy. You have not authorised this transaction. Get your money back/cancel!)

dancingfairy

I'm not 100% sure what the problem is to be honest. I presume you have written to them telling them that you didn't agree to anything and you don't wish to renew? Presumably the website has an address?
If they then take the money when you told them not to then you will have to go to the bank and tell the bank that you told the company not to take the money and tell the bank you want your money back.
df

sussexchick

Many thanks guys ..... much appreciated.
DH has now phoned (policy holder) and told them to CANCEL policy. He was originally fobbed off with "sorry we can't cancel it'". I've also emailed them AGAIN!, and notified the bank accordingly. Now this will make you laugh .... before DH put the phone down they came back with another quote ..... £75 LESS than previously quoted !!!!!!!!!

misspoppy

why don't you just cancel the direct debit?

gfplux

Miss poppy,

I think this will explain the types of regular payments.

You can NOT cancel a direct debit. This form of payment allows a company to take an amount they decide every month until they decide not to.

A standing order is a method of payment YOU set up to pay a certain amount of money every month (or other period) to a company. You can change or stop a STANDING ORDER any time you like.

So next time you are making a new deal with a supplier YOU should set up a standing order and not sign a direct debit mandate.

TWINKLE

gfplux wrote: »

Miss poppy,

I think this will explain the types of regular payments.

You can NOT cancel a direct debit. This form of payment allows a company to take an amount they decide every month until they decide not to.

A standing order is a method of payment YOU set up to pay a certain amount of money every month (or other period) to a company. You can change or stop a STANDING ORDER any time you like.

So next time you are making a new deal with a supplier YOU should set up a standing order and not sign a direct debit mandate.

I have just cancelled several direct debits by writing to my bank and this was successful.

McKneff

Please remember just cancelling the a standing order does not stop them from pursuing the debt, because you will still owe it to them.

You must cancell the (any) agreement with the company before cancelling any form of bank payment. (the companies arent mind readers.

Mrs.D

gfplux wrote: »

Miss poppy,

I think this will explain the types of regular payments.

You can NOT cancel a direct debit. This form of payment allows a company to take an amount they decide every month until they decide not to.

A standing order is a method of payment YOU set up to pay a certain amount of money every month (or other period) to a company. You can change or stop a STANDING ORDER any time you like.

So next time you are making a new deal with a supplier YOU should set up a standing order and not sign a direct debit mandate.

You definitely CAN cancel a direct debit! I've done it plenty of times online. If the merchant tries to take the direct debit after it's been cancelled, the bank will reverse the transaction.

I think the regular payments you are referring to are recurring credit or debit card payments, where you have no control.

DarkConvict

You can even reverse DD payments, TV licensing tried to take out a 2nd years payments, so i had about 5 months of payments taken back.