Car Insurance 'Admin' Fees

animal_83

I have moved house and need to update my policy details. Irrespective of any changes in premium, my insurance co. want to charge some where in the region of £20 everytime I make an ammendment to my policy. £20 to key in some new details, print the new documents and post them to me?

Does this come under a similar category to the un-lawful bank charges and am I within in my rights to despute the charges to simply change my address/employment status?

Thanks all.

anewman

Don't think it does come under the same sort of thing as it's not intended to be a penalty charge. Also it's a pretty standard clause of insurance contracts which you will have agreed to when signing up. I agree it seems wrong that to keep them up to date so your insurance policy is correct and up to date and you are legally insured, and be charged extra for the privelige of doing so, seems wrong. But would you rather the cost was added to your insurance premium and if you made no changes whatsoever you were still charged a "possible" administration fee on top of your policy fee?!

david29dpo

this is the problem with cheap companies now. people want it as cheap as possible and forget the extras like this. with the better, dearer companies there is no change. you pays your money.......

animal_83

david29dpo wrote: »

this is the problem with cheap companies now. people want it as cheap as possible and forget the extras like this. with the better, dearer companies there is no change. you pays your money.......

Actually, I'm with a large reputable company having learnt the hard way with a cheaper web based company. I have an expensive car and skimping on insurance cover is up there with cutting costs on cheap tyres in my opinion. I have a full comprehensive policy that covers everything as I want the peace of mind. Given that I'm 23 and driving a car that is worth in excess of £20k, I feel I am most definately 'paying my money' as you put it... Would you care to point me in the direction of one of these 'better' companies as I'm due for renewal in the next couple of months and would definately consider changing my cover to avoid paying through the nose to simply keep my policy up to date. In the past 18 months, I've changed addresses, changed vehicle, transferred a personalised plate and had alterations to the vehicle listed on the policy!

I am very much an advocate of getting what you pay for and I'm happy to pay a premium as such, but I resent paying £20 everytime i have to make an ammendment to my policy. I accept that in this instance it isn't a penalty charge as such, but how can it be fair? Surely as a customer I am, at the very least, owed some sort of break down and justification of these charges? Over the last year

Given the situation we are currently in and the on going crack down on un-insured drivers, this is yet another reason why even more people will be driving around with either no cover or invalid cover because they avoid ringing to make changes because they know they will be charge for it.

maclean2

In a survey about a year ago LV= (Liverpool Victoria) were quoted as having no admin charges.

Worth checking this with them and that they can quote for your car.

anniecave

I don't have a problem with admin changes. They have to recalculate the premium as appropriate and update their records. And issue a pile of new paperwork. I'm happy to pay less on the basis I'm unlikely to be modifying my car, changing my car, getting a new plate, moving address, so if I do need to change any details I will just pay as necessary.

soya

Got a renewal from MORETHAN and these "admin fee" has appeared under Important Notes.
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In the event of a change to the policy or if you ask us to reissure documentation, we may charge an Administration Fee of up to £25 (inclusive of IPT). Changes which may attract an Adminstration Fee are;
changing personal details, change of contact address, change of car, change in mileage, where the vehicle is kept and its overnight location, changing the level of cover, change of vehicle use, adding/removing a driver or amending their details, laying up the vehicle, a change in your occupation, adding additional covers to the policy, change of licence type from provisional to full, changing the level of No Claim Bonus, updating payment details, changing the amount of excess you pay, issuing a duplicate motor insurance certificate, driving a car overseas, making temporary changes to the policy, chnaging your payment method and providing proof of your No Claim Bonus.

Additional charges may also apply should you later wish to amend your policy. Such charges will be advised at the time.
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with words MAY & UP TO in this note, I suppose may be free depense on situation.