Car insurance, trying to con me???

the_big_1_2

Hi guys,

Last Monday I called a well known insurance company for a three cars to be quoted.
My girlfriends car,
My current BMW,
And my soon to arrive new Jaguar.
I explained my current insurance was due to run out on my BMW with another insurer on the 23/05/2013, and wasn't sure when my new Jaguar would arrive so could they quote on a multicar for my girlfriends car and my BMW and also my girlfriends car and the Jaguar.
At first thy quoted the BMW and girlfriends car at £500.77 and the Jaguar and girlfriends car at £566.82.
I asked them to call back in an hour.
Online, a comparison site stated the the Jaguar alone by the same insurer would be £466.82!! And with multicar old be less.
So when they called back I told them this and thy required,
Girlfriends car and BMW £480
Girlfriends car and jaguar £419.77.
So I said "if I take out the BMW policy today" (22/05/2013) "and say a week later, need to change to Jaguar, what is the cost"
I was told "the difference in premium plus £20 admin charge" so I said "seeing the Jaguar is less than the BMW, I get a small refund" "yes was the reply"
So I paid the £480 on the 22/05/2013.
I get a call on the 24/05/2013 that the Jaguar will arrive on the 25/05/2013.
On the 25/05/2013 I get the jaguar and call the insurer to change over the cars.
At this point I am told it will cost me £78!!!!
I said they where wrong as 3 days ago I was quoted less for the Jaguar than the BMW!
They tell me that the original quote was for new customers only and because I am a current customer, I can not have this price and it is now £558!!!!
I said I have cover with you for 2 days!!!
They said "sorry, just the way it is"
I explained then I was mislead as I explained what was going to happen and the quote I was given did not reflect this.
They said one way would be to cancel my insurance as it is in the 14 day cooling off period then re-quote the Jaguar.
BUT I would have to pay a £20 cancelation charge!!!!!

Dexters_Indignation

Did you pay on credit card?

If so do a charge back.

Then re-submit for a policy.
this way it will cost them instead...

the_big_1_2

Hi ya,

It was done with a debit card.

FlameCloud

Underwriting rates change on an hourly basis for some insurers. As such, the rating has likely changed. If you don't like the price, they have given you the option of cancelling it.

A charge back would be stupid, as the debt would still exist and they would cancel the policy for you.

the_big_1_2

They openly said that the increase was due to not being a new customer anymore. This was never mentioned when it was quoted and I did ask so surely this is miss selling?

Buzby

No - what 'they' said may have been the agent's interpretation of what happened but I've seen rates change weekly, and he onus would then be with you to prove that it had not.

There is no way you could ever be guaranteed a future rate, only an indicative estimate. I would also be surprised if any chargeback would be permitted - the risk that you are flagged as having a terminated policy on your file will haunt you for new policies.

dunstonh

So I said "if I take out the BMW policy today" (22/05/2013) "and say a week later, need to change to Jaguar, what is the cost"
I was told "the difference in premium plus £20 admin charge" so I said "seeing the Jaguar is less than the BMW, I get a small refund" "yes was the reply"
So I paid the £480 on the 22/05/2013.

The answer you were given was correct.

At this point I am told it will cost me £78!!!!
I said they where wrong as 3 days ago I was quoted less for the Jaguar than the BMW!

From your post, it doesnt look like they gave you a quote. They said difference in premium plus £20. And if lower, a refund. No figures mentioned.

You went online and looked at new customer pricing for that day but that is not the same price you get as an existing customer who took their policy out on a different date.

I explained then I was mislead as I explained what was going to happen and the quote I was given did not reflect this.

They have not misled you. You assumed the online quote site (priced for new customers) would be the same price as existing business.

They said one way would be to cancel my insurance as it is in the 14 day cooling off period then re-quote the Jaguar.
BUT I would have to pay a £20 cancelation charge!!!!!

That would work as you cease the existing policy and take out a new one using their current pricing for new business.

They are not trying to con you. You are just coming up against new customer discounts as well as possible daily changes that occur with online pricing. (e.g. website shows 20% discount for new business that week but only applies to new policies. Not existing policyholders).