Car Insurer trying to force me to cancel AND charge me cancellation fee

Vazlerm

Ok I have been with Hastings for almost 4 years. I am moving home but within the same city next week and called them to update my address details only to be told that "their broker" would not insure me at the new property because of the post code (which is ludicrous considering it is a much better area and a cul-de-sac)

They then went on to say that due to this, they would be cancelling my car insurance and charging me a cancellation fee. I made it very clear I did not want to cancel, only to change address and possibly pay and difference in premiums for the new address.

This was replied with "we can cancel your current insurance and you can take out new insurance, although you will lose your 3 years no claims, (funny cos im only a couple of months from 4 years and my insurance doesnt run out until september).

Im furious and even talking to their manager got no sense at all. Surely the fact that they are forcing me to cancel and I do not wish to, means they have no right to charge me a cancellation fee!? Plus I do not deal with their brokers my car insurance clearly states HASTINGS so if they are able to have another broker insure me at my new address, surely that would still be with hastings, therefor why should I have to cancel and be forced to pay a fee?

What I need to know is where I stand and how can I get this fixed?

Appreciate any advice!
Thanks

cogito

I can't really make head or tail of this but you will probably find that there is a cancellation clause in the policy which allows them to cancel at any time. In those circumstances it would normally say that you would be given a pro-rata refund of premium. Read your policy and see what it says.

Vazlerm

I thought it was pretty clear.

I have car insurance with hastings that runs until september.
I am moving address next week.
I called to change the address and was told that the current people they use to insure me wont insure me at my new addres.
Then then told me that due to this THEY were going to cancel my insurance with them AND that they would be charging me a cancellation fee.

I have read the terms and conditions, yes they have a right to cancel at any point, but sorry, they do not have a right to cancel and then charge me a cancellation fee because THEY cancelled it without me asking for them to do so.

cogito

What you wrote was clear enough - it was the response from Hastings that I couldn't make head or tail of. I don't think they can charge you in these circumstances.

dogbot

Hastings are a broker, not an insurer. You need to read the policy to see what it says about cancelation and changes to risk details to understand what they can and can't charge. Moving address fundamentaly changes the risk presented so they are under no obligation to cover you if you want to change the address.

Their response does seem very odd and i think whoever you spoke to must have made a mistake.

For a start, you won't loose 3 years NCD, you just won't earn this years as the policy will have to end early.

I would call back and talk to someone else and will probably get a different response. If they state they can't offer cover at the address then you want to be the one cancelling the policy - otherwise you will struggle to find insurance again - but insist that they waive all cancelation fees and provide some refund (assuming you pay annualy, if you pay in installments then you are paying with a credit agreement so there might be something left to pay). Also insist you are provided with proof of 3 years NCD in writing.