Insurance renewed-After I said 'NO'

corners_2

Hi everyone.

I'm seething so I need to share this. I'm a named driver on my husband's car insurance, and the policy was paid for from my credit card.

When the insurance came up for renewal I rang to say we'd got cheaper cover elsewhere & weren't interested. I explained that I did not want them to debit my credit card and they told me ok just send back the paperwork.

THis morning I check my statements and...surprise, surprise, they debited the premium so I rang them. They now decide that as my husband is the policyholder he needs to ring to cancel, ...'But it's my credit card and I said not to debit the fee and I returned the paperwork as you said'

'Oh yes, we've had the policy back, but your husband needs to ring us to cancel the policy'-

D'oh you couldn't tell me this before?? They say: 'We did' - so why would I deliberately NOT do what you told me to??Why would I send the policy paperwork back, if I intended to take the policy out?

What planet am I on??? This is my card, and I've said no! They have the policy documents and still they choose to charge me. GRRRRR

Ok is it just me this happens to or is this the new way for insurance companies to do business?

:mad: :mad: :mad:

ArchieB_2

I get it, so they are happy to speak to you (breaching Data Protection laws) one minute and then decide to adhere to the data protection laws the next when it suits them (your money in their account earning interest).

They should have refused to talk to you over the phone the first time and then none of this would have happened. If they say they did, ask for them to replay the tape of your conversation.

By rights they should only speak to the policyholder.

grade15

you can contact ur cc company and say, that this company took money from your account without your authority.. get the cash back!

corners_2

I've been in touch with my credit card company, who have started a dispute, but have asked me to provide a cancellation letter from the insurance company!!

So, does this mean any Tom !!!!!! or Harry who I've bought something from at any time in the past can just dip in and help themselves??


Btw Archie- liked your comments about the data protection act!!

Still GRRR:mad: :mad:

gyzmo

A perfect demonstartion of Data Protection laws in the UK and the mess that companies make in trying to apply it.

nbbradshaw

If I were you, I'd write a formal letter of complaint to the head of customer services AND the FSA. As it's evident that the company does not have adequate controls and procedures in place to ensure that comply with Data Protection Act.

corners_2

To top it all off we've been hanging on their 0870 number for the last 35 minutes trying to get through to tell them we don't want this policy, which they already know because we sent their policy back.

Their misinformation is now costing me money and I'm completely powerless to do anything it seems.

Any suggestions?

gyzmo

1. cancel payments (direct debits etc) with your bank.
2. Write a letter of complaint to the company requesting compensation (try and include dates and times, name of people spoke to, telephone number you called from etc, as this will assist them tracking down the people responsible).
3. Contact the Data Protection commissioner to report the company. Although, in my opinion, data protection laws are somewhat absurd, and the way companies "interpret" them are even more absurd, they are nethertheless law, and the company should adhere to that.

ckerrd

I was once hounded by an insurance company (the one with the nodding dog) as I asked for a quote. Got a much cheaper one elsewhere and thought all was well. Started to get letters from them saying that they hadn't received their money - I never took up theri offer merely asked for a quote!
The letter that tipped me over the edge was the one saying they were going to report me for driving a car without insurance and that is was an offence and all manner of things would happen to me.
I wrote with a copy of my insurance and never heard from them again. No apology.
This was long before I discoverd MSE - nowadays I would have told them to bring it on and been up for a proper fight.

Kay_Peel

I'm seething.

The company with the nodding dog sent me a letter at the end of July telling me that they would automatically renew my car insurance if I didn't phone their premium telephone number. I spent an inordiante and costly amount listening to their muzak without getting through to anyone, so I sent an email to their Renewals department instructing them that I did not want cover and that under no circumstances were they to take money from my card. I didn't give them a 'continuing authority' to take annual payments, since I object to them in principle and had enough trouble with AOL and credit card deductions.

Today, they've sent me a letter saying 'thank you for renewing with us, we've robbed you of your money' or something similar. How very dare they!
I tried phoning again but gave up after 6 minutes (how much is this costing me and why should it cost me anything anyway?)

I've fired off another email to their Renewals, Motor Insurance department and customer services in frustration at not being able to get through. I resent spending more than 5 minutes on hold. Do you think I should now write to their head office formally, by recorded delivery or what?

It seems a bit OTT.

Oi Churchill - pick up the phone and read your emails. I don't want your car insurance and give me back my money!

KP

Astaroth

a "locall" telephone number (0845) isnt a premium rate.

Unfortunately if you dont follow the instructions - ie to phone them rather than emailing - you cant really blame them for not following yours.

Having phoned Churchill (and a whole host of other companies recently) they have a very short piece about the fact they will put you on auto renewal in their talk but then immediately move onto the next bit so I am sure that most will "forget"