Post Office Car Insurance - Unauthorised Debit Card Withdrawal

Archaeopteryx

I took out a car insurance policy with the Post Office, basically chose them because they came out cheapest on confused.com

So I took the policy, for which I was quoted £148.03, which I paid by debit Card. They requested proof of my No Claims, so I sent them a copy of my previous insurance document, which states 'entitled to maximum No Claims'.

A few weeks later I got a letter saying they 'could not accept' my proof of No Claims Discount, therefore would be deducting a further £174.30 from my account!

I wrote to say that I had not authorised the further deduction, and would sooner cancel the policy than allow them to take my money. After all, this would mean they were no longer the cheapest.

They've just emailed me to say 'We have already lodged for the additional premium and we are unable to cancel the transaction'. The money is apparently coming out on the 28th March.

I'm furious with them for this, not least because if they DO take the money it'll put my account overdrawn and I'll get some hefty charges, but is there anything I can do?

chuckles1066

Archaeopteryx wrote: »

I took out a car insurance policy with the Post Office, basically chose them because they came out cheapest on confused.com

So I took the policy, for which I was quoted £148.03, which I paid by debit Card. They requested proof of my No Claims, so I sent them a copy of my previous insurance document, which states 'entitled to maximum No Claims'.

A few weeks later I got a letter saying they 'could not accept' my proof of No Claims Discount, therefore would be deducting a further £174.30 from my account!

I wrote to say that I had not authorised the further deduction, and would sooner cancel the policy than allow them to take my money. After all, this would mean they were no longer the cheapest.

They've just emailed me to say 'We have already lodged for the additional premium and we are unable to cancel the transaction'. The money is apparently coming out on the 28th March.

I'm furious with them for this, not least because if they DO take the money it'll put my account overdrawn and I'll get some hefty charges, but is there anything I can do?

Simply contact your bank and advise them that the transaction hasn't been authorised by you and that you will regard it as fraudulent if they don't block it.

Mentioning police involvement (whilst sounding over-dramatic) actually does seem to have the effect of making banks proactive in such cases!

(Been there, done it.....)

iceicebaby

Agree with the above (although mentioning the police is a bit over dramatic) You can ask your bank to not pay the transaction.

Why did they not accept your no claims proof by the way ?

Archaeopteryx

They said they could not accept it because the policy is still in force, and I would have to cancel it. But I couldn't do that because it covers the the vehicle I am using now, which I'm selling. The car I insured with the Post Office is the new (to me anyway!) one.

iceicebaby

Ah yes thats correct you cannot have a no claims bonus covering 2 cars even if you are going to be cancelling one.

If you insure your new car with your current insurer, they will sometinmes match the no claims bonus you already have on a policy with them.

chuckles1066

iceicebaby wrote: »

Agree with the above (although mentioning the police is a bit over dramatic)

Hmmm, sadly it's sometimes the only way to get beyond the shake of the head and the "I'm afraid we can't help sir/madam" :mad:

Archaeopteryx

Tried to insure it with my current insurer initially, but my they say won't insure my 'new' car because it's actually a bit old! I've downsized you see, all part of my money saving plan.