Car insurance advice needed asap pretty please

Nanny2Nurse

lisyloo wrote: »

The cooling off period is designed to give you a chance to read the policy, then you can reject it if it's unacceptable to you.
It's not designed to be used for short term cover.

Do I have to find a valid excuse/reason to cancel, or can I just cancel without giving reason?

lisyloo wrote: »

..//..But I think Mikey has a good point that often people find the quotes are much higher once they are already a "captive audience".

This is exactly my worry. The quotes I've already received are as high as I want to pay, I really don't want them to rise any more.

Quentin wrote: »

"Unacceptable" as in "I wish to cancel under the cooling off period because I find the policy unacceptable/unsuitable"

I see, thank you.

mikey72 wrote: »

You'll find that the cost to change mid term has no resemblance to any quote you have had.
You may be better off getting a quote for short term insurance, from someone like
https://www.tempcover.com/default.aspx?ref=csis

Thanks. Ill look into it but the last time I looked for insurance for just two weeks, the price was unbelievably high.

mikey72

lisyloo wrote: »

The cooling off period is designed to give you a chance to read the policy, then you can reject it if it's unacceptable to you.
It's not designed to be used for short term cover.

But I think Mikey has a good point that often people find the quotes are much higher once they are already a "captive audience".

Course it is.
You have to find one with a pro rata refund and minimum cancellation fees though, otherwise it's expensive.

Nanny2Nurse

mikey72 wrote: »

Course it is.
You have to find one with a pro rata refund and minimum cancellation fees though, otherwise it's expensive.

Nanny2Nurse wrote: »

Do I have to find a valid excuse/reason to cancel, or can I just cancel without giving reason?

Also, where would I find the details that you mention above when simply getting quotes? Are they all obliged to supply this information at the quote stage or only once the policy is taken out?

Thanks again

Quentin

You need to read the policy to find out the cooling off arrangements. Most on line companies let you download their policy to read before you buy.

Nanny2Nurse

Thank you Quentin, looks like I have a couple of busy days ahead.

I think I'm going to:
1. cancel my current policy.
2. buy a new 12 months policy for my current car, paying monthly.
3. if/when my new car comes to fruition, and if within the 14 day cooling off period, cancel my (then) current policy.
4. take out a new policy on my new car.

Which makes me also wonder;

Would I be able to take out a second policy with an insurer I've just cancelled a policy with during the 14 days cooling period?

And again, as above - Do I have to find a valid excuse/reason to cancel, or can I just cancel without giving reason?

Thanks again guys.

Quentin

You don't need any reason to cancel. (They may ask - just tell them you found a better policy elsewhere).

I wouldn't be sure that an insurer would let you take out another policy consecutively after you have used the cooling off period. (But you never know!)

If you are going down the cooling off cancellation wheeze, then don't take out the policy until you need it (the 14 days usually start from the day you get the paperwork or the day the policy starts, whichever comes first).

Nanny2Nurse

Thanks Quentin.

Found this on the Tesco car insurance site (search for 'cooling'). Can't see anything about set-up charges or administration fees.

Quentin

So you now got at least 3 companies to "play with" who don't charge admin fees, covering 3 x 14 days!

Nanny2Nurse

Many thanks for your help - everyone. I wish these companies were forced to make things simpler, it's so frustrating and very stressful.

I'll let you know how I get on.

mikey72

Nanny2Nurse wrote: »

Thank you Quentin, looks like I have a couple of busy days ahead.

I think I'm going to:
1. cancel my current policy.
2. buy a new 12 months policy for my current car, paying monthly.
3. if/when my new car comes to fruition, and if within the 14 day cooling off period, cancel my (then) current policy.
4. take out a new policy on my new car.

Which makes me also wonder;

Would I be able to take out a second policy with an insurer I've just cancelled a policy with during the 14 days cooling period?

And again, as above - Do I have to find a valid excuse/reason to cancel, or can I just cancel without giving reason?

Thanks again guys.

Don't cancel your current policy, just let it run out as normal, and don't renew.

(If you can't find any t&c's on cancellation, ask before you take out the policy, or they may arrive with it)