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Swinto - Can they do this

Last night around teatime I had a call from my insurance company saying my insurance on my van was due again on 15th February and they coudl now do it cheaper via commercial insurance (I only use it for commuting its not for business). The quoted me at around £34.00 per month which I have been paying £38.00 - so thought that was ok. She went through the premiums etc and then said something on the lines of - are you happy with that - to which I replied yes seems ok to me. After I got off the phone - OH said why dont you just check online and see how much cheaper - £18.00 per month or thereabouts. I decided to call the Insurance (SWINTON) the next day to which I got a very obnoxious lady saying that I had agreed to the insurance. I told her I felt rail roaded into it for her ringing me up at tea time and they shouldnt do that - she said well you shouldnt have given your number out then, I have worked here 16 years and we always ring our customers.
I am fuming - I said that I thought there would be a cooling off period when I could read through something I received in the post - she said there was NO cooling off period She now says she will charge me a £50.00 cancellation charge if I want to cancel it
Can they do this. I am thinking of just contacting my bank and cancelling any direct debits that are connected with Swinton
Anyone got any advice - as she is ringing me back with the taped conversation (I asked her to prove that I said please proceed with the insurance)

Comments

  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 117,923 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I told her I felt rail roaded into it for her ringing me up at tea time and they shouldnt do that

    You should have told them it was inconvenient. Now it just looks like you are using it as an excuse.
    I said that I thought there would be a cooling off period when I could read through something I received in the post - she said there was NO cooling off period

    There is a cooling off period but you incur charges. Its not a charge free cooling off period.
    Can they do this.

    Yes. You agreed for them to do it.
    Anyone got any advice - as she is ringing me back with the taped conversation (I asked her to prove that I said please proceed with the insurance)

    Wait until they have heard the tape to see what it says. Generically, they havent done anything wrong. So, unless you get lucky and the call was flawed then you are reliant on their goodwill.
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • raskazz
    raskazz Posts: 2,877 Forumite
    lew15 wrote: »
    Last night around teatime I had a call from my insurance company saying my insurance on my van was due again on 15th February and they coudl now do it cheaper via commercial insurance (I only use it for commuting its not for business). The quoted me at around £34.00 per month which I have been paying £38.00 - so thought that was ok. She went through the premiums etc and then said something on the lines of - are you happy with that - to which I replied yes seems ok to me. After I got off the phone - OH said why dont you just check online and see how much cheaper - £18.00 per month or thereabouts. I decided to call the Insurance (SWINTON) the next day to which I got a very obnoxious lady saying that I had agreed to the insurance. I told her I felt rail roaded into it for her ringing me up at tea time and they shouldnt do that - she said well you shouldnt have given your number out then, I have worked here 16 years and we always ring our customers.
    I am fuming - I said that I thought there would be a cooling off period when I could read through something I received in the post - she said there was NO cooling off period She now says she will charge me a £50.00 cancellation charge if I want to cancel it
    Can they do this. I am thinking of just contacting my bank and cancelling any direct debits that are connected with Swinton
    Anyone got any advice - as she is ringing me back with the taped conversation (I asked her to prove that I said please proceed with the insurance)

    Two issues:

    1) Did you accept the quote - the taped conversation can confirm whether this was the case. You can submit a Data Subject Access Request to obtain a copy of it yourself if necessary.

    2) If the quote was accepted - then you are entitled to a cooling-off period. The period is 14 days from receipt of the policy documents. However, cancellation fees can still be applied during the cooling-off period.

    Don't just cancel the DDs - this will cancel the method of payment but will not cancel the contract nor will it resolve the other issues you are experiencing.
  • WhiteHorse
    WhiteHorse Posts: 2,492 Forumite
    There is a cooling off period. Use it to cancel. Then make a written complaint to their head office. Make sure you mention her name.
    "Never underestimate the mindless force of a government bureaucracy
    seeking to expand its power, dominion and budget"
    Jay Stanley, American Civil Liberties Union.
  • ihateyes
    ihateyes Posts: 1,326 Forumite
    ive been gubbed by swinton in the past....
    wouldnt even take a free cover of them
    Promo codes are never always cheaper..... isnt that right EuropCar?
  • vaio
    vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    another avenue worth looking at is whether commercial insurance gives the correct cover given your use is non commercial
  • dacouch
    dacouch Posts: 21,637 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    vaio wrote: »
    another avenue worth looking at is whether commercial insurance gives the correct cover given your use is non commercial

    If they have sold you an unsuitable policy which is not that rare eg you are not self employed etc then a complaint could sort it out and hopefully sort out the employee who would need extra training
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