reclaiming legal cover

chicaloca

hi everyone

looking for a bit of advice. I've just received my house insurance renewal in and I'm not happy to say the least. Basically when i took out my insurance there was no legal assistance added on. However it turns out that when i was emailed my renewal last year they added it on without my knowledge. Stupidly I didnt read the renewal documentation as it automatically renewed. The company are arguing that everyone should read documentation (which i do agree with) but this puts the onus on the customer to opt out of the legal cover. I said this was sneaky which didnt go down well with the company. I feel like I have been miss sold this, would anyone agree with me? I've never voluntarily taken legal cover for any type of insurance and feel a bit duped not to mention angry.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated, it works out at £50 i think for the two years but feel like its been taken without my permission but would be grateful for the thoughts of anyone more experienced.

-taff

There's nothing stopping you complaining, it would probably help if you had legal cover elsewhere too...such as if you were a member of a union etc.

As to how successful you'll be, it's anyones guess.

chicaloca

thanks for the advice, just think it was done in a sneaky way, as far as I'm concrned legal cover is somthing you have to voluntarily agree to, not have to opt out of. I'm still fuming, going to cancel my policy with them tomorrow, I told them I want to deal with an honest company when I spoke to them earlier. Not a happy customer I have to say.

Insider101

-taff wrote: »

There's nothing stopping you complaining, it would probably help if you had legal cover elsewhere too...such as if you were a member of a union etc.

As to how successful you'll be, it's anyones guess.

I think they'll refund it straight off. Way cheaper than an Ombudsman fee.

safestored4

Be careful about rushing in to cancelling. Check what you have signed up to. There may well be an unanticipated charge for this.

chicaloca

I hadnt realised there were fees associated with the Ombudsman, new to all of this. Safestored4, thanks for your concern but its up for renewal next week so this happened at just the right time. The first stage in their complaints procedure is to email a manager apparently so Ive got an email address for that but I'll keep everyone posted.

The lady asked why I wanted to cancel so when I told her I'd found one cheaper and also my annoyance at the extra charges she didnt seem concerned at all. Great way to do business. Can I mention the company's name or not? Just wouldnt want anyone else to get caught out like this.

-taff

The company you are complaining about has to pay the ombudsman fees.

chicaloca

ah i see. thanks for cleaning that up