Budget Insurance - HELP

Charlie8_2

I messed up. I started a new policy with Budget, all online, for my car in July.

I didn't get my proof of no claims to them promptly. (it does exist). They doubled my premium while I was on holiday in August and it bounced - it was double what I was expecting. They tried to represent it 3 days later (I was still on holiday) and it bounced again.

They then wrote and told me they were cancelling the policy. I rang to say sorry, can I reinstate the policy & chase my no claims from previous insurer. They said NO.

I was a bit suprised as this whole episode has only taken 1 month. I was horrified to be told I will be charged for costs and the outstanding amount on the policy - basically a years worth of insurance, nonetheless. this means I won't be able to afford to insure my car with someone else.

I am at a loss really, don't know whether there is anyone I can appeal to. It seems a horrifyingly harsh line to take, and although I was slow to send the no claims proof, I can rectify this. Does anyone have experience of them? Does anyone have any advice (apart from getting better at admin:()

Chinkle

Seems strange, if they couldn't take payment normally they wouldn't provide cover - end of. Try contacting the insurance ombidsman if you aren't getting anyway. I hope your car is off the road at the moment if it has no cover.

Charlie8_2

Chinkle wrote: »

Seems strange, if they couldn't take payment normally they wouldn't provide cover - end of. Try contacting the insurance ombidsman if you aren't getting anyway. I hope your car is off the road at the moment if it has no cover.

I need it and so am going to have to get insurance with another co. Just worried that Budget will still try and get me to pay the £400 odd for the years insurance, which they don't want to provide me with.

Who is the Insurance Ombudsman?

Quentin

Before trying to insure it elsewhere you could try and resolve this with Budget, and see if they will reinstate your policy.

Otherwise you have a cancelled policy on your record, which may make it hard/expensive to find a new insurer. (They always ask if you have ever had a policy cancelled)

huckster

As Quentin suggests you need to sort this out with Budget. Phone them and ask to speak to their customer relations team to register a complaint.

I am sure that they can sort you out with a new policy and register the no claims proof, so you have a policy correctly running. In regard to the cancelled policy, they should be just willing to charge you the relevant time on risk at standard rates, on the basis of you arranging a new policy.

If you go elsewhere, you might still have problem with Budget which will bite your backside. If you don't pay Budget, they will pass a debt on for debt collection and you could end up with a CCJ.

dacouch

Send them the proof of your no claims bonus which will probably reduce the amount you owe them as without seeing the proof they will base any charge on the premium without NCD.

And take Quentins advice

joanne_d_3

Hi .

I had serious problems with budget not so long ago . Wasnt quite the same situation as you op but it dragged on and on for days and everytime i called it seemed the customer advisor wasnt able to answer my questions.

I then sent an email of complaint to budget and i got a phone call from someone high up in the company . Within one day the whole problem had been sorted out PLUS i got a few quid compensation for all the hassle.

Im going to do a search of my posts and see if i can find you the name and telephone number of the lady who sorted my problem out .

If i can find it i will pm it to you .

joanne_d_3

Hi again op -

[EMAIL="feedback@budgetinsurance.com"]feedback@budgetinsurance.com[/EMAIL] . Send an email of complaint to this email address . This gets you through to someone high up in customer services who may be able to help you.

Post back and let us know what happens.

Remember to mark your email as a complaint and include a brief outline of the complaint , your policy number and you contact number.

Charlie8_2

That's really helpful thanks