Got auto-renewed on home insurance for old house

KaratePigeon

Hello,
Ok, I know it's my fault for not checking my statements often enough but I'm really gutted about this as we are skint and can't afford to pay for un-needed things!

Just checked my credit card statement, and have been charged for auto-renewal of buildings insurance last month. Then checked for the year before and it's there too Moved out of that house 20 months ago so neither of them would have been valid.

Just rang Budget insurance and they said they'd cancel the policy for this year (minus a £54 cancellation charge!) and refund the rest, as long as I send in a solicitors letter to say when we completed the house move.

Is there any way I can get the rest of the money, or anything from last year's payment since I assume it won't have been a valid policy with me not living there (and I have insurance on my new house with a different provider).

So annoyed with myself, only noticed it as my credit card payment is set to pay off in full monthly, which it has done but put me over the limit so I'll get a charge there as well Credit card expired during that time too so I don't know how they managed to take payment from the new one??! Do I get any extra protection for paying on credit card, are they likely to help?

[Deleted User]

No, unfortunately.

You gave them a continuous payment authority, which is why an expired card makes no difference.

ALIBOBSY

Did you contact them to tell them you had moved at any point?

TBH if you then had insurance at your new property you are "double" insured which can be a reasonable argument for a refund. Also the ombudsman are starting to look pretty unfavourably on "auto renewals" so I reckon its worth a complaint. But don't bother with the phone where they will try to fob you off.

Put a letter of complaint in writing and include any costs incurred by yourselves- i.e. charges, phone calls, postage etc. At the end of your letter add a section where you ask for a "full refund or a final response so you can refer the matter to the ombudsman".

I think it likely they will offer a full refund, but less the £53 admin fee. The ombudsman will allow them a "reasonable" admin fee in these sort of cases or in early cancellations, so if they offer a refund for the 2 years less the fee take it.

Always worth a letter of complaint as often those on the phone don't have the authority to do anything other than input stuff onto the computer and try to fob you off, where a letter will go to someone in the complaints department who will consider all the issues and has powers to sort it out.

Send copies of proof of the date of sale with the letter to ensure all the info is there for them and see what comes back.

Ali x

KaratePigeon

Ok, thanks. Really can't remember if I contacted them, I was quite careful about transferring everything when I moved so thought I would have, but have no proof now.

I will see what I can find and write them a letter. So annoyed with all these greedy companies, don't know how they can justify that kind of cancellation charge, doesn't seem 'reasonable' to me

lisyloo

£53 seems quite reasonable to me.
If you can't cope with keeping tabs on all your paperwork then have you considered trying a high st broker rather than going direct.
PLEASE make sure your car insurance is up to date.
If you get this wrong it could ruin your life.

jamesml

Do you have home insurance on your new/current house? Presume not with the same provider?