RAC (Aviva) car insurance sting

har0ld

My wife and I have just been caught out by a lack of vigilance on our car insurance.
We took out what appeared to be good insurance deals with "RAC" when the ridiculous renewal quotes from our previous policies with "More Than" came out.
A year later and we are playing the same game only now returning to "More Than" - who are now quoting extremely favorable rates.
However I forgot that the policies weren't all up dated at the same time and I had got 3 months into one of the policies! - So despite having a quote (from More Than) for less than half of the renewal with RAC, the cancellation charge of £394 makes it a worthless exercise to change!!!:mad:
To make it worse the second policy where I did get to change the policy without cancellation fee we have then realised the second part of the RAC (Aviva) sting.... When we left "More Than" we transferred over 11 years 'No Claims' to RAC, who now after a years trouble free motoring are only crediting us with 9 years!!! They have ripped us off to the tune of 3 years on my wife's No Claims.:mad:
I hate the fact that you have to keep changing your insurance provider annually just to keep the premiums reasonable but I really hate the RAC (Aviva) insurance company!!! DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!!!

nearlyrich

Most insurance companies only need 6 years for full no claims discount, you made a mistake by not knowing when your insurance was due, how is that Aviva's fault?

dunstonh

the cancellation charge of £394 makes it a worthless exercise to change!!!

You havent had a £394 cancellation charge. At most, the cancellation charge will be around £50. The rest will be premium due at a relatively pro-rata rate and the outstanding cost of any non-refundable add-ons you bought.

When we left "More Than" we transferred over 11 years 'No Claims' to RAC, who now after a years trouble free motoring are only crediting us with 9 years!!!

Nothing wrong with that. The most common NCD period is 5 years. Indeed, I believe that is all that Aviva will verify. Checking the NCD period is something you should do when purchasing your insurance. If you do pick a company with the traditional NCD period (or one less than than your current insurer) then just keep copies of the NCD period so you can supply it later on if required.

They have ripped us off to the tune of 3 years on my wife's No Claims.

No they havent. It just seems that you dont know what you are doing and havent checked what you bought before you bought it.

When you DIY, you need to know what you are doing as you bypass the people that would be there to cover off things like this. There is no wrong doing here by the insurer.

har0ld

I'm not sure that the replies i have received here have been anything other than condescending.

I have checked with More Than on my current policy and their maximum cancellation charge is £55; roughly as I imagined.

I know I am a DIY er when it comes to insurance but aren't most people? Why do we allow such a system of deceit and blatant profiteering to exist? Insurance is something we must all have "Its the Law" why then do we as consumers need to become experts? - policies should be far clearer and simpler and perhaps insurance companies should be rewarding careful driving and customer loyalty like they used to!

anaylorefc

I never had a problem changing car insruance every year. Make sure you know when your dates are up and and search for the best deals. Switching over from to another takes maybe 10 minutes extra than ignoring the auto-renewal of your current one.

None of the replies are condescending, they are simply pointing out the error in your arguement. While banks and other financial companies are the big bad, it's not always their fault. I got a bank charge this month, is it their fault? No, my own, doesn't mean I'm not annoyed by it but you have to be reasonable.

dunstonh

I'm not sure that the replies i have received here have been anything other than condescending.

Or correct but you dont like the answers.

I know I am a DIY er when it comes to insurance but aren't most people?

Nowadays probably it is the case. However, that is a consumer choice. There are still brokers available who give advice and take liability for that advice.

Why do we allow such a system of deceit and blatant profiteering to exist?

You havent highlighted any case of deceit or profiteering.

Insurance is something we must all have "Its the Law" why then do we as consumers need to become experts?

You dont need to become experts. A few basic bits of information, which are disclosed as part of the application process, is all it takes.

policies should be far clearer and simpler and perhaps insurance companies should be rewarding careful driving and customer loyalty like they used to!

Some insurers do. Which is why they extend their OWN no claims discount beyond the normal 5 years. However, dont assume term means greater discount. Some with 5 years NCD have greater discounts at year 5 than those at year 8 who offer longer periods.

Insurance is priced and set up just as the consumer wants it. Price comparison sites where the consumer looks for the cheapest premium and ignores the rest are the main reason many are structured as they are now.