Trying to cancel policy with insurer? Difficult..

alberto2012

Hi.

My car insurance expired on 8th Dec.
I was insured with Elephant. I was not happy with the renewal quote from them, so I took out insurance with another provider.

I emailed Elephant on 15th Dec to cancel all dealings / cover with them, (a little late I know but was / am in process of moving home.. very stressfull and busy!)

I received email reply from Elephant (on 17th) telling me I did not provide required details for them to proceed (my date of birth + postcode) I provided them with details in my next email (on 18th Dec)

Yesterday, (sunday 30th Dec) I received an email from them telling me :
"We cancelled your policy on 08/12/12 and there is an outstanding amount of £ 47.18 owed to us. This is for the time on cover and includes an administration fee.

We have previously written to you to ask for this payment but had no response.
If we do not receive payment within the next 7 days, we will send the detailsn of your outstanding amount to our debt collection agency. This action will result in an additional charge of £20.00. "

Where do I stand as a consumer?
I know I am guilty of not informing them closer to the 8th Dec, but surely there is a period of time for 'cooling off' / cancelling?

Do I have to pay this nonsense fee? Even though they claim to have cancelled my policy on the original expiry date, which was what I wanted anyway??
And what do they mean "time on cover"?

Hope someone can help,
Thanks

dunstonh

Where do I stand as a consumer?

You failed to notify them that you did not wish to renew in time. Hence they charge for cover and administration.

I know I am guilty of not informing them closer to the 8th Dec, but surely there is a period of time for 'cooling off' / cancelling?

There is. However, this does not equate to a free period. They can charge you for the period of cover and an administration charge.

Do I have to pay this nonsense fee? Even though they claim to have cancelled my policy on the original expiry date, which was what I wanted anyway??
And what do they mean "time on cover"?

I would raise that point with them as if they have cancelled the policy from the 8th then they havent provided any time on cover. Although a cancellation rights period cancellation may well say that despite providing coverage up to that point.

You are not in a strong position. The error was yours and they appear to be acting correctly. However, many providers in this position and involving a small amount will waive it if you contact them and say you are not happy about it. Its cheaper for them to do so than argue the point.

sithemadmonkey

I'd ring their customer services and have an actual conversation about this (much more useful than email, and more than worth the call cost in my opinion, especially if they can call you back) - mention that you've had alternative insurance elsewhere since the renewal date, and ask why you're being charged if the email suggests the policy was cancelled on your renewal date.

dalesrider

This is a duplicate post....

There is one running in the consumer forum with far more answer in it....