InsuretheBox - wont unsure since late renewing

wookie66

Slight issue with insurethebox renewal - its a policy where they install a smart unit in your car to monitor driving pattern and mileage

Got competitive renewal quote and assumed that premium would be automatically deducted using payment details on their file ie my credit card

However I didnt check my email in box and noted some reminder emails from ITB saying my payment hadnt gone through and to call them

Called them four days after renewal date, had a long conversation with manager in Newcaste HQ and end result was they declined to insure my motor on premise that:

I was late paying premium and system wouldnt allow retrospective payment of premium

They couldnt process my renewal as a new quote since my car didnt fit their criteria ie was over 15years old

There was no manual over ride or common sense over ride facilty for their computer system and they said their hands were tied and unable to renew my insurance

I tried pleading that this was genuine oversight ie my card details had expired, that I was late picking up reminder email and been with them two years with no claims and safe driving patterns as per their system record but they still wouldnt play ball.

They did say however if I had called within two days of policy expiring they might have been able to process my payment (??) but four days on it was too late

In end didnt bother arguing and got another insurance company to insure me which was £70 dearer

My question is whether its worth sending a complaint letter on the way in which I perceive I was unfairly treated for a genuine oversight on my part or just take it as a lesson learnt and move on

Any comments welcome or if anyone had similar issue

forgotmyname

Send a complaint but still leaves you with no insurance whilst they sort that. It canm take 8 weeks. And the fact they cancelled the policy which you need to declare to future companies.

InsideInsurance

wookie66 wrote: »

In end didnt bother arguing and got another insurance company to insure me which was £70 dearer

Did you tell this new insurer that you've had a policy cancelled for non-payment? a jump of only 70 sounds far too low. If you forgot to you better do it before they find out from a CUE check as otherwise you'll have two cancelled policies to declare going forward.

Remember that this cancellation must be declared to ALL insurers (home, pet, car, travel, bike etc) for the rest of your life.

You can throw yourself on their mercy to try and get the policy reinstated but on the basis it was 100% your fault you really dont have anything to complain about.

wookie66

Probably didnt make it clear but policy wasnt cancelled by ITB but refused on renewal since my cars age did not meet their criteria for "new customers"

InsideInsurance

But you originally said:

wookie66 wrote: »

Called them four days after renewal date, had a long conversation with manager in Newcaste HQ and end result was they declined to insure my motor on premise that:

I was late paying premium and system wouldnt allow retrospective payment of premium

It sounds like they renewed, payment failed, they cancelled the policy for non-payment but now they wont let you take out a new policy because of the age of the vehicle

forgotmyname

As above if they tried to take a payment then the policy was probably cancelled.

Your current insurer could use that to not payout if you need to claim.