Esure - charged £26 admin fee to change address

catherineHough

Is it fair that you can be charged so high for a change of address? Its just a licence to print money.

At first we had a bill for £26 Admin fee and when we enquired what the admin charge was for they didnt even know they had to listen to all our previous phone calls to desipher where the fee originated and finally they phoned today to say that it was for changing our address. They said that all insurance companies do it, but Aviva or Hiscox have not charged us.

So Annoyed. So what for them was a 2 minute conversation was for us £26 bill.

kingstreet

It's explicitly stated in their terms and conditions and it's within what the FOS feels is acceptable.

The problem is, if they didn't charge those making alterations, the other policyholders who don't make such changes end up paying for those who do.

All you can do is choose an insurer which doesn't charge such fees, but that may be at the expense of higher premiums.

I insure via the CSIS (Civil Service Insurance Society) with Royal & Sun Alliance. The premiums aren't the lowest, but I'm charged nothing for paying monthly, nothing for alterations.

dunstonh

Is it fair that you can be charged so high for a change of address? Its just a licence to print money.

Explicit charges are considered fairer. Whole chunks of financial service products are moving that way at the wish of the FSA.

They said that all insurance companies do it, but Aviva or Hiscox have not charged us.

Some companies include the cost of servicing in their annual premium. Others strip it out and charge explicitly. You have your choice.

So Annoyed. So what for them was a 2 minute conversation was for us £26 bill.

£26 is a reasonable fee. They have to have a bit of cross subsidy to cater for the 20 minute phonecall or even the 45 minute phone call which will also pay £26.

If you dont like explicit charging then dont buy a contract with explicit charging. Buy one with a higher premium instead.