Admiral taking unauthorised payment

Mosh

I was insured with Admiral (car) for the last two years. This year, as last, my renewal notice came through and it was ridiculous, so I shopped around. The notice told me that payment was due on the 30th of June, which is when my current policy would end.

I found eSure undercut them by around 50% so set up my new policy with them on the 23rd, rang Admiral and told them not to renew. This they acceded to, and I downloaded and sent my No Claims proof to eSure.

All fine. Until I check my bank balance on the 29th (tonight) and notice that I'm a bit short. £620.10 short, to be precise, due to Admiral debiting my account for that sum (the increased premium) on the 19th of the month.

While I'm aware that they have the right to automatically renew my policy should I not tell them otherwise (their way of "helping" ensure I don't wind up uninsured courtesy of the recent changes in law), there's no reason for them to take the payment a fortnight before the policy is due to expire and before the due date they listed in the email.

I've also been onto their website and the policy which I was told on the phone I would not have (2013-2014) is there for all to see; cover note, policy details and all.

As a result, I am likely to go overdrawn and be unable to pay some bills until this is rectified.

Do I have a right to compensation as they've obviously screwed up? And is it worth my while writing to the Ombudsman?

Parking_Trouble

Administrative error that Admiral need a chance to put right before you go down the FOS route.

Have you not phoned them up yet and told them about their mistake? that's all it might take to put it right and get a refund.

If they don't have a record of your request to not renew then tell them the exact date and time of your call and they can listen to the call.

They should be able to compensate you for their mistake.

If they don't play ball then you have to go down the official compliant route and involve the FOS. That process will take months and you need to get your money back ASAP.

If they don't agree that you didn't renew then you will have to "cancel" the new policy and face cancellation charges and and a pro-rata refund which still leaves you out of pocket.

Mosh

On hold to them at the moment. They sent me confirmation by post of my request to not renew the policy.

My issue is the renewal payment being due on the 30th, yet they took it on the 19th, leaving me out of pocket. I won't be surprised if they tell me it'll take "3-5 working days" to refund the money, meaning I'm screwed while I'm away on holiday this coming week.

Mosh

Money back in bank with immediate effect. Will sort everything else later!