un-wanted car insurance

charman63

my car insurance policy was cancelled by the provider after my direct debit was not honoured, I then took out a new insurance policy with a new provider which was alot cheaper than my previous policy, my old insurance provider then sent correspondence to me which I did not open as I was no longer a customer, then my old insurance provider took money out of my bank account (a new direct debit) which I did not consent to, this was listed as an initial payment, I then contacted my bank who told me I needed to contact the insurance provider which I did, they informed me they had sent me a new offer of insurance which I had to refuse or it would automatically be put in place which is what had happened, so at that point I had two policies on my car, I told them I didn't want an insurance policy so they cancelled it and informed me it was going to cost me almost £600 to cancel, I said this was ridiculous as THEY had cancelled the old policy ( I have letters from both the insurance company and the finance provider both informing me the policy was now cancelled) they then told me to e-mail them my new insurance certificate, which I did, I have since received two further letters of correspondence one saying the policy (the new one set up without my consent) had now been cancelled and a second one saying I owe them £158!!! I would appreciate any advice as to my position, thankyou

InsideInsurance

Did you tell the new insurer you have had a policy cancelled for non-payment or did that slip your mind?

thenudeone

charman63 wrote: »

I would appreciate any advice

Opening your post in future, would be a good start.

Seriously, if they've sent a letter saying the policy is cancelled, they can't collect premiums for cover after the policy ends.

It's an annual policy and priced accordingly, so if you cancel (by failing to ensure funds are available for a direct debit), you still have to pay for the cover you've had, plus any reasonable costs involved in managing a cancellation mid-term.

forgotmyname

If you failed to declare having your old policy cancelled you need to be careful before you start to stir things.

The new insurer may keep taking your money and not check. Until you make a claim or a claim is made agaisnst you. Then they check things more closely.

The CUE database with have your cancelled policy on record. Then its thans for your money we are not paying you and then they chase you for the costs.

As someone foound out on here a while back when they got a bill for £9000.

Inform them of your old cancelled policy ASAP.

olly300

Also to add OP your bank has no right to allow any company regardless of your issue with them to take a direct debit out of your bank account without your permission.

Therefore next time your bank refers you to the company to get reimbursed turn around to them and demand that they the bank pay you back as the direct debit wasn't authorised.

If your bank refuses, firstly demand the name of the person you are talking to then ask them what their complaints procedure is and follow it