ESURE-Insurance increase 300% for no reason

starrystarry

mikey72 wrote: »

If they are, that's ok. Just so long as the online quote is comparable to the renewal, and it's fair to the existing customer.

TCF doesn't mean you have to charge the same price to new and existing customers.

mikey72

starrystarry wrote: »

TCF doesn't mean you have to charge the same price to new and existing customers.

Sliding a 300% increase in hoping the customer doesn't notice may not be within the spirit of TCF though.

The question is, does not does dis-agreeing to auto renewal when you didn't ask for it, then give the insurer the right to a blank cheque, or do they have to give you a fair renewal premium?

starrystarry

mikey72 wrote: »

Sliding a 300% increase in hoping the customer doesn't notice may not be within the spirit of TCF though.

The question is, does not does dis-agreeing to auto renewal when you didn't ask for it, then give the insurer the right to a blank cheque, or do they have to give you a fair renewal premium?

No, what they have to do is advise you what the renewal premium is in advance. If the policyholder chooses not to read the renewal notice that's their own problem.

mikey72

starrystarry wrote: »

No, what they have to do is advise you what the renewal premium is in advance. If the policyholder chooses not to read the renewal notice that's their own problem.

No, what the op should do now if officially complain to the insurer, if his renewal is substantially dearer than a new customer quote. If they refund, well and good.
If they say, "sorry, we pulled a fast one, and you missed it, hard luck" he should make a complaint to the FOS

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/contact/index.html

They can decide, either

- No complaint, and dismiss it.

- it's fair to give an insurer an open cheque for life

- it's not fair to take advantage of existing customers, and a refund should be given, and renewals should be fair based on new customer prices.

Or another option.

Either way, it'll be decided on by the independent body set up for this type of situation, and it'll bring an end to these increasingly more common auto renewal complaints and even more ridiculous prices.

dunstonh

Sliding a 300% increase in hoping the customer doesn't notice may not be within the spirit of TCF though.

Whilst I agree with you if there was a such difference in new business and existing business of 300%, they cannot be accused of sliding it through unnoticed. They sent the letter. The OP chose not to read it.

starrystarry

mikey72 wrote: »

No, what the op should do now if officially complain to the insurer, if his renewal is substantially dearer than a new customer quote. If they refund, well and good.
If they say, "sorry, we pulled a fast one, and you missed it, hard luck" he should make a complaint to the FOS

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/contact/index.html

They can decide, either

- No complaint, and dismiss it.

- it's fair to give an insurer an open cheque for life

- it's not fair to take advantage of existing customers, and a refund should be given, and renewals should be fair based on new customer prices.

Or another option.

Either way, it'll be decided on by the independent body set up for this type of situation, and it'll bring an end to these increasingly more common auto renewal complaints and even more ridiculous prices.

And the FOS will go for option 1. No insurer gets an "open cheque for life". They get an "open cheque" for as long as the policyholder is stupid enough not to check their renewal notice or do anything about it.

If the insurers stop doing auto renewals this forum will be flooded with people saying "I've just got 6 points for driving with no insurance, I thought my policy was renewed automatically, surely it's not my fault, the insurance company are to blame".

Really, when will people start taking responsibility for their own actions (or inactions)?

mikey72

starrystarry wrote: »

And the FOS will go for option 1. No insurer gets an "open cheque for life". They get an "open cheque" for as long as the policyholder is stupid enough not to check their renewal notice or do anything about it.

If the insurers stop doing auto renewals this forum will be flooded with people saying "I've just got 6 points for driving with no insurance, I thought my policy was renewed automatically, surely it's not my fault, the insurance company are to blame".

Really, when will people start taking responsibility for their own actions (or inactions)?

So, a poster comes onto a money saving forum, complaining he's been caught by a hefty increase.
As an underwriter, your stance is to call him "stupid" and publicy admit you get an open cheqiue to use for as long as you want to, until the customer does something about it.

Then you wonder why insurers are seen in a bad light.

opinions4u

DaveDM wrote: »

Esure have increased my car insurance by over 300% and won't tell me why.

They don't have to tell you why. They probably don't want your sort as a customer though. (By that I mean age, car, points on licence or one of several dozen other factors).

Only noticed after a few months so have lost £100's.

You know those envelope things that come through your door every now and again? Have you considered opening them and reading the contents?

Anyone else fallen fowl?

It's quackers.

My Advise....stay clear

My adivce, read your post or emails and act on the contents.

You are completely to blame. Sorry.

starrystarry

mikey72 wrote: »

So, a poster comes onto a money saving forum, complaining he's been caught by a hefty increase.
As an underwriter, your stance is to call him "stupid" and publicy admit you get an open cheqiue to use for as long as you want to, until the customer does something about it.

Then you wonder why insurers are seen in a bad light.

No, as a private individual I would call anyone stupid if they choose not to read a renewal notice. Would you call it a smart move? This has nothing to do with my position as an underwriter. For starters, I don't underwrite motor insurance. You don't need to work in the insurance industry to realise that the smart thing to do is to read your renewal notices. In any of my posts on this thread did I state or imply that I'm an underwriter? Was it relevant to the discussion? No.

mikey72

starrystarry wrote: »

No, as a private individual I would call anyone stupid if they choose not to read a renewal notice. Would you call it a smart move? This has nothing to do with my position as an underwriter. For starters, I don't underwrite motor insurance. You don't need to work in the insurance industry to realise that the smart thing to do is to read your renewal notices. In any of my posts on this thread did I state or imply that I'm an underwriter? Was it relevant to the discussion? No.

You are one, or at least you claim to be in other threads. To be fair though, it's the internet, anyone can claim anything from post to post.
I think most posters on here would affirm my view of insurers is usually consistent though.
The other MSE'ers can decide if it's relevant to the comments you have made to posters who are customers of the insurance business.
As a customer, I would always say contact the FOS, it's free, so the customer can lose nothing, no matter what is decided.
Personally I also don't normally call people stupid, in my private or public life.