Cooling off period! Car insurance.

Moneybox

In short. Got a quote. Sounded good. Agreed, and documents emailed out. Not happy with the terms and conditions so phoned back (within a couple of hours). Could not offer what I needed so cancelled (although the policy was not due to start for another 3 weeks!).

Told normal fee was £45 but would only charge £25! Got a bit heated but told them to cancel and that it was an unfair fee for being sent a mail merged letter, that hasn,t been mail merged correctly! Manager had gone into a meeting so couldn't,t discuss LOL. What a joke.

What can I do about the fee? There are several restrictions on the insurance none of which were explained.

It's a broker rather than a insurance company.

InsideInsurance

The FOS accept cancellation fees of up to £50 as being reasonable and so £25 you cannot argue about being unreasonable.

Evidently your argument will have to be over a complaint that the insurance was not adequately explained. Did you buy online or over the phone? Out of curiosity what are the clauses you have issues with? Did you ask them about these clauses prior to buying?

Moneybox

I asked cover for 10000 miles. I was quoted for 9000 and this was mentioned as a contributing factor for the high quote, so I went along with it as its only a difference of 1000 miles.

The main issue is within the documents is a declaration (which was mentioned) but the terms of this were not. The declaration says that after 9000 miles the cover is 3rd party. Also it was not explained that although later you can add to this quota for a fee there is a cap of 12000. With family in Liverpool unforeseen circumstances could add to this and I could in theory reach this limit. I was not happy to sign this declaration and as they could not increase the mileage without a fee and the cap decided I was better to cancel understanding he policy in more detail.

I read these within 2 hours, the payment is still pending with the bank, but they can,t cancel it without a admin fee! I have instructed them to cancel but will be doing what I can to be refunded the fee. I feel it has been miss sold, other companies give you ALL the details or at least send you a quotation in the post. Any advice.

InsideInsurance

Certainly companies will send the quote in the post or email did you ask them to do this or not? It sounds like not?

I have to say that a 12,000 mileage cap to me doesn't feel particularly a material limitation to have to tell every single customer that calls and asks for a mileage that is under the limit. Many insurers wont insurer people to drive a Bugattie Veyron but when you call up to insure you're Fiat Panda they dont tell you this incase you decided to do a mid term adjustment to one.

Ultimately you can complain and threaten to escalate to the FOS. They most likely will back down simply because of the economics of it dont stack up to defend it but I dont think you have the greatest merit to the complaint and would suggest if there is a real chance of needing to increase the mileage that you check with insurers in the future prior to buying.

Moneybox

Thanks for your help and the time!, Certainly I will follow up with FOC if they decide to charge me the fee as I originally asked for 10000 miles and with being tempted unfairly to move down to 9000 and a cap of 12000 it is not miles away (no pun!) without the terms and conditions being explained feel they have acted only with the interest of selling a policy.

Thanks sent..

dacouch

If you get a similar problem, some brokers systems allow the full number eg 9999 miles per year. If they do then selecting this amount in effect often gives you 10000 miles for the price of 9000.

Not many systems still work this way but it's worth trying