Swinton Insurance - County Court Threat

mikey72

mcmoore wrote: »

we called them about the price and said we would call them back if we wished to accept it.

However, they are now saying we never called them and that subject to their 'standard practices' they automatically renewed the policy. They also say the only way they would waive the cancellation charge (for a policy we never accepted) is if we provide proof of

dunstonh wrote: »

Which is totally fair and acceptable.

Depends who you believe here really.

mcmoore

Wow, I never knew so many advocates for the insurance companies trolled here.

vaio

If you are sure about your ground (and your phone bill shows the call) then you could sit back & see what happens, if they do issue, lodge a defence & counterclaim for the £100.

j0nnyv

Im no insurance expert- although there appear to be plenty on this site- but good luck.As to Swinton- I had car insurance with them- but I've moved to someone else- before the agreement expires- as they are the most arrogant money grabbers in a industry full of arrogant money grabbers. They can whistle for their money!

Quentin

j0nnyv wrote: »

.As to Swinton- I had car insurance with them- but I've moved to someone else- before the agreement expires- as they are the most arrogant money grabbers in a industry full of arrogant money grabbers. They can whistle for their money!

Although its probably good to get away from swinton, doing it this way isn't recommended.

They will be entitled to any money you now say they can whistle for (cancellation fees etc), and just going elsewhere mid term means no NCD being added for the part year, and if you already had some NCD at the start of the policy getting them to issue with proof may be difficult.

Lots of insurers won't help out over this if there is still money owed.

And as you see from this thread, telling them to whistle for their money is water of the duck's back to them and they will pursue debts all the way!

Brize

mcmoore wrote: »

when we got the renewal price in this year, we called them about the price and said we would call them back if we wished to accept it.

That telephone conversation should have stopped the automatic renewal process. Unfortunately, the burden of proof is on you. As somebody else has mentioned, it may help if you can produce a phone bill to evidence that you placed a call to them around the time of your renewal. If they don't have a record of that call, it would at least demonstrate that their records are unreliable. Best of luck.

dunstonh

Wow, I never knew so many advocates for the insurance companies trolled here.

There isnt. Just a mixture of people that will support consumers against the establishment irrespective of whom is right or wrong and those that take a more balanced view. Just because you don't like the answers given, doesn't mean the posts are wrong.

The fact is that on paper, they have the upper hand. The only grey area is the supposed phone call. However, there is no evidence that it ever happened or what was said. Even if it did happen, leaving the insurance company with a "maybe" decision is not a "i do not want to renew" decision. its probable that the staff member involved just left the default position in place which was they would renew unless their heard different. If you can get evidence of the call then it may be enough. Without it though you are reliant on their goodwill.

What looks more suspicious in the unwillingness to use the most sensible method to get a refund and provide proof of dual insurance. Swinton have offered a refund if this is done. So, any evasion or avoidance to provide that information automatically puts them on guard that the policyholder could be trying it on by getting a refund they are not entitled to. I would imagine this point would be made to the FOS if a formal complaint got that far. You can bet your life the FOS would want to see the proof as well before they made any such decision on outcome. The dual insurance refund method has been pretty much in place for decades. So, the methods and requirements are well known.

Alternatively, you can ignore everything said and we can post cuddly supporting messages or how bad they are and how wrong they are and tell you how sorry we feel that the big bad insurance company has done that. That may make you feel better but it doesnt help you in the slightest.

Brize

dunstonh wrote: »

Even if it did happen, leaving the insurance company with a "maybe" decision is not a "i do not want to renew" decision.

I disagree with you on this point, dunstonh. Leaving aside the matter of evidence for a moment, phoning an insurer to say that you will instruct them if you want to renew the policy should, at the very least, have prompted the call handler to ask if the client wanted the policy cancelled then and there. If the client then declines to cancel, they should be made aware that the policy will renew tacitly.

mikey72

If you do have two insurances running, that means both carry half the risk. Shouldn't Swinton be asking for half the premium based on the fact the would only pay half the claim?

dunstonh

Brize wrote: »

I disagree with you on this point, dunstonh. Leaving aside the matter of evidence for a moment, phoning an insurer to say that you will instruct them if you want to renew the policy should, at the very least, have prompted the call handler to ask if the client wanted the policy cancelled then and there. If the client then declines to cancel, they should be made aware that the policy will renew tacitly.

The problem is that we dont know the phone discussion and there appears to be a lack of proof. It could be "i will let you know if I dont want to" or "i will let you know if I do want to". Without proof, anybody can say anything was said.

Swinton are not known for their good service and call centre staff are not known for their initiative or common sense.