Direct Debits House Insurance

Jake'sGran

I was doing my usual annual search for a cheaper premium for my house and contents insurance and decided on one from More Than. It wasn't a lot cheaper but there were some advantages. I told the man the insurance was not due to commence until 16th December. The following day I cancelled it as I realised it would not cover my single valuable item away from home. Just happened to be checking my credit card statement on line the other night and was really annoyed to find that the payment had been taken sraight away, on 8th Dec. I have made a complaint and they have apologised but say that they always do it this way and I will be repaid but it could take 14 days. Strange how they can debit you immediately but repayment can take two weeks. What do you think?

I will be making a formal complaint to the Insurance Ombudsman as I naturally assumed the payment would not be taken until the policy commenced.

dunstonh

The FOS wont be interested as More Than have done nothing wrong. Plus you have to exhaust the in house complaints proceedure before the FOS will even look at your complaint.

The fact you were told it could take upto 14 days doesnt mean it will do. Its one of those automatic statements that gets said to stop you phoning back and clogging the phone line if you dont see it in the following few days. Plus not all banks/credit card companies are as quick as processing as others.

The following day I cancelled it as I realised it would not cover my single valuable item away from home.

Royal Sun Alliance (which is More Than) have some of the best cover policies you can get. They do cover valuables away from home with their personal possessions cover. You tend to find that they are not the cheapest but when you look at what they do and do not cover, its a lot better than most of the cheap ones out there. Plus their claims support and administration is very good.

Jake'sGran

I used to think that More Than were great too but don't you think they were wrong to tke the premium before the policy commenced?

webitha

mornin
maybe they were wrong and have you spoken to them about it? as im with them for both buildings and contents (and car) and not only are they competitive with a fab policy but whenever me of DH has ever had to call them for whatever reason they could not do enough for us

dunstonh

Jake'sGran wrote:

I used to think that More Than were great too but don't you think they were wrong to tke the premium before the policy commenced?

Had it been a month before then absolutely. However, it was only a week and that would be almost certainly classed as being within an acceptable period by the FOS if you went that far.

Jake'sGran

webitha wrote:

mornin
maybe they were wrong and have you spoken to them about it? as im with them for both buildings and contents (and car) and not only are they competitive with a fab policy but whenever me of DH has ever had to call them for whatever reason they could not do enough for us

No, they said they always take the premium immediately after a client has said they would take the policy. I still think it is wrong as it would often result in reducing the interest free period on the credit card, as it has in my case i.e. making balance due a month earlier.

They were great when we once had an accident in the car and they
were the insurer so I agree with you about the service. I have now got bldgs and contents for £129.00 with Groupama (via Budget). With More Than it was £172.45 with the same conditions. Therefore, I decided to pay a bit extra with Budget to get contents accidental damage which none of the others included. Total now with Budget £143.

Davidboy

I have to speak as I find and MoreTh<n have been a flippen nightmare trying to deal with their Indian Call centre...stay well clear!

D

Jake'sGran

Davidboy wrote:

I have to speak as I find and MoreTh<n have been a flippen nightmare trying to deal with their Indian Call centre...stay well clear!

D

Didn't know about that. When I had an accident the staff were all in their UK offices.