car insurance. can I get a refund?

zicok

I took out car insurance in january through budget after going through several price comparision sites. When I took out the insurance I explained to the operator on the phone that I would be moving addresses in 2months and would this make much difference, he told me this would increase my premium. Not bad I thought, so handed over my details. 2months down the line now we have moved, I called budget to pay the extra money, they then told me that the extra would be 611pounds, double my original premium!!!. Obviously not happy we complained and thbut got told the calls have been listened to and no such conversation took place. We then received a letter saying that, if we did not pay the premium our inmsurance would be cancelled. Another letter followed saying that they had tried to take the money out of our account and it had been denied, but we DID not authorise them they could try and take this money. We paid the premium in one go at the begining of the policy and have now been told we must pay the extra or cancel, however if we cancel we will have to pay the cancelation fee 24pounds and get NO refund what so ever!!! Is this true and can any one give us advice on tihs terrible situation?

Thanks

raskazz

I'm not sure where your complaint is to be honest, at least in the general terms of the adjustment. If the sales agent said that the future change would increase your premium, then unless he actually quoted a figure of less than £611 then you haven't actually been misled. If you think that he did actually quote a lower figure then you can put in a complaint and request a copy of the call recording as a Data Subject Access request (for which a fee can be charged).

In terms of the cancellation, have you checked what your policy wording actually states regarding charges for time on cover and admin fees?

mikey72

Have a look at

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...n#post39938318

It appears a pro rata fee + a fair cancellation charge is allowed.
Not a punitive charge.

Make an official complaint to them, and refer it to the FOS if they do not play ball.

kingstreet

At the time you told them you were moving, did you tell them where you would be moving to and ask them to show you how the premium would be affected?

Did you try changing the details in a comparison site before you committed to Budget?

Your postcode is one of the most important factors in pricing car insurance and if you've moved from a rural area to an urban one, there was every chance of a large premium increase.

As has been suggested, all you can do is complete the insurer's complaints process and take the case to FoS. In the meantime, you're going to have to pay the difference, or move the insurance so you can continue to drive.

What are the comparison sites quoting now if you did want to leave Budget?

alistair.long

2 things
did you get it through a broker?
did you make a claim within the 2 months?

If the answer if no to both of them, then call the insurance company back and let them know you are going to the fso. I assume you have the letter that says you owe them.

It could be that the new location is more near the city and therefore has a higher insurance premium. Check online on price comparison sites and compare the diffrence of the 2 properties with 2 new identical quotes.