Car insurance companies cheeky "admin" fees

kinith

Not looking for advice really just a rant.

Got charged £35 by my car insurance company Hastings Direct for changing my address as I have moved, I've never come across this before with other car insurance companies I've used.

Anyone else come across this happening? Is this a new stealth tax on unsuspecting motorists?

motorguy

kinith wrote: »

Not looking for advice really just a rant.

Got charged £35 by my car insurance company Hastings Direct for changing my address as I have moved, I've never come across this before with other car insurance companies I've used.

Anyone else come across this happening? Is this a new stealth tax on unsuspecting motorists?

Its a way of recouping some of the profit they've lost by everyone going to the cheapest provider - they stiff you with charges at every opportunity. They're all at it.

InsideInsurance

No, its how they knock their price down to get to the top of the aggregators (eg Confused.com) price list.

Buy cheap, get higher fees for anything else.

Its been in place for years though. Historically of cause admin fees could be hidden in the additional premium for making changes but for the last 8 or so years insurers, if asked, have to give the breakdown of fees and premium

tykesi

Is this a new stealth tax on unsuspecting motorists?

No, it's a charge that will be clearly stated in their terms that you signed up to. I've just renewed my bike insurance and the thrid page in all the paperwork they sent me was solely to outline their charges so I am fully aware of what things will cost me. Don't blame them for you not reading the details of your policy

mrcurly1975

Yes I have just been charged admin fee for changing vehicles.

C'est la vie as they say.

kinith

Not blaming them I'm just saying I've never experienced this before in my 15 odd years of motoring. Yes next time I will check to find out of the crafty sods will charge me admin fees for making changes.

InsideInsurance

kinith wrote: »

Not blaming them I'm just saying I've never experienced this before in my 15 odd years of motoring. Yes next time I will check to find out of the crafty sods will charge me admin fees for making changes.

You probably have and just not realised. They only have to tell you there is a fee if you ask, so previously they probably just said "thats £37" and you've assumed its all premium rather than £35 fees and £2 premium

gilbert_and_sullivan

Saga was £12 admin fee, NFU didn't charge anything but then the premium was high enough to cover all.

I never take the cheapest insurer and wouldn't ever use the one in the OP due to such poor regular feedback.

mttylad

Consider it part of your moving house fees.

CHR15

When my old car went in the garage for some warranty repairs they gave me a courtesy car, a P reg Saab 900 Turbo with 190,000 miles on it.

The garage insisted I use their phone to call my insurers to confirm I was covered for courtesy car use, ching ching, £35 admin fee added (which the garage kindly paid for me).
That was about 4/5 years ago.

wba31

£35 is cheap. I paid £50 a few years back to Churchill, Missus paid £45 last month to Diamond.

Im now with NFU where there are no admin fees...