Auto renew Sheilas Wheels

50Twuncle

I hate AUTO RENEW on insurance policies - I always inform any insurer that I wish to cancel this option as soon as I take out a policy - most do as I request, however, despite my requesting 11 months ago, Sheilas Wheels have informed me of their intention to take £160+ on my debit card in a months time
I have again emailed them and asked them not to - but have received a response "YOU'LL HAVE TO PHONE US TO CANCEL", or words to that effect...
I shouldn't have to - so won't .....

Since my debit card has changed numbers since I last paid - so assume that if they do try to take a payment - it will fail
Can someone please confirm this ?

InsideInsurance

No, there is the card updater service for Mastercard and Visa which will give them the new number assuming you havent switched banks etc.

More importantly if they dont get paid then they void the policy for non-payment and you have to declare that for life to all other insurers.

Unfortunately autorenewal is a perfectly allowable condition to have, though you can withdraw the continuous payment authority on your card it doesnt stop the renewal, and if you want to avoid it either choose one of the tiny number of insurers that dont use it or rather than cancelling it 11 months early do it at the time of renewal.

I personally always call my existing insurers to see if they will beat my best renewal quote anyway so will be making the call to them at renewal time anyway

OnanTheBarbarian

Don't make a rod for your own back for the sake of a phone call.

If they don't have the notification down properly that you do not wish to renrew, they will still try and take the payment, it will be rejected, they will then cancel the new policy and even though you may well have asked for this policy not to be renewed, you potentially have the "cancelled policy" stigma against you and will have a load more running around to do, just for the sake of a point of principles.

Just call them and end the problem now.

50Twuncle

The added problem is that I have a speech defect - so can't phone in the first place !!!

InsideInsurance

50Twuncle wrote: »

The added problem is that I have a speech defect - so can't phone in the first place !!!

Then presumably you have a textphone and can use it with 0845 850 3217 to communicate to them

50Twuncle

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Then presumably you have a textphone and can use it with 0845 850 3217 to communicate to them

No I don't have a text phone !!
I have replied to their email (explaining why) requesting that they cancel my autorenew !!

InsideInsurance

50Twuncle wrote: »

No I don't have a text phone !!
I have replied to their email (explaining why) requesting that they cancel my autorenew !!

I believe there is free computer software or mobile apps to make Textphone calls from thus enabling you to live chat to them and meet their requirement for you to "call them" and probably helping you with other organisations rather than having to wait for them to respond to emails.

I've used one, unfortunately only works with a number of providers, because it has Sky as one of them and they answer instantly... only way to get through in under an hour

David_InsDef

Some people post asking for advice; get it and then put forward every conceivable reason why they can not / shall not follow it.

When the time comes, good luck in the battle with Sheila's Wheels trying to get your money back.

*Scarlett

If you have replied to them by email to lapse the policy I believe this should be enough. You could also put it in a letter.

Do you have anyone who could act on your behalf on the phone?

I have a thought that they want you to phone to attempt to stop you from leaving - maybe a bit of discount.

But if you have told them that you wish to lapse the policy then they should do this no matter which communication method.

good_advice

I always phone to cancel @ renew date.
Then look for a new policy. Sometimes go with the same company as a new customer.

Mr_K

An old fashioned letter sent by recorded delivery should do the trick. Phone calls can always be denied. (Yes, autorenew is a trap for the benefit of insurers profits only).