Car: Address Change Charge

boy_3

I have recently moved couple of block away and contacted my car insurer for address change. They have asked for 50 pounds for the new place. Reason given is that it is a bit more riskier than the previous one. I was never told about the charge earlier and the policy document never mentions that there was going to be a charge for address change. It just has standard line "we can review it if the situation changes".

My situation is that my new area is better and my car is parked in a garage now rather than on road earlier. So, if they want to review it, they should reduce my premium. But, they said they choose not to review it that way.

Sounds like it's all what they want to do. Can I go to somebody about this? Appreciate the ideas and help in advance!

olly300

Pay up so you are insured and complain on the telephone to try not to pay the £50, but if you get no joy:
1. Write a letter to them called "Formal Complaint" state your points clearly in the letter i.e. lower risk area, no charges laid out in policy and refer to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations. At the end of the letter state you will take the matter further if they don't reimburse your £50.
2. If they don't answer you properly in 2 months or you reach deadlock, then refer them to the financial ombudsmen.

BTW if you do take it to the financial ombudsmen because the company doesn't layout the charges clearly they will be in some trouble. The insurer is allowed to charge you but they should say approximately how much it is going to cost you i.e. £40-100, £25-50 to change your address.

easynotec3

Is the £50 a charge, an additional premium or a combination of both. As u have said above, they told u it was a riskier area therefore they are charging you a higher premium for that area. If your car wasn't kept in a garage it could have been even higher

Kevoh

I was also charged the same for moving. The premium remained the same, but the "amendment charge" was £30! for the remaining 4 months. I left them on renewal day.

A few years later, with another insurance firm, I changed cars for a more powerful one, hence riskier, the amendment charge was £12, higher premium was £20, making a total of £32 for the same remaining 4 months. They now detail the charges clearly. The £50 you were charged should have been broken down into amendment charge and higher premium. Vote with your feet.