Phone insurer to change vehicle, told free, then billed £360

Fleecedskinflint

I spoke to Admiral group about changing my car just after 2pm yesterday. They said it would be free as I was within my "renewal cycle".

About three hours later I got an email saying they would take about £360 from the payment method they had retained from when I last payed (11 months ago).

What can I do? Insurance sales people take ages to talk to and then just do something completely different anyway. I don't want to listen to listen to more sacharine bull$h1t. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe could be the new PPI miselling.

Browntoa

No FEE but an increased premium

dunstonh

Maybe could be the new PPI miselling.

Cant see anything in common.

They said it would be free as I was within my "renewal cycle".

They are not charging an admin fee but the premium would be different in most cases.

It sounds a bit strange to have a phone call about a change of vehicle and not be told about the premium change in the call. A change of vehicle call would normally ask about the new vehicle and they would tell you if there was an admin fee or not and the premium difference.

Was there some issue that they couldnt quote you on the spot?

jem16

Fleecedskinflint wrote: »

I spoke to Admiral group about changing my car just after 2pm yesterday. They said it would be free as I was within my "renewal cycle".

About three hours later I got an email saying they would take about £360 from the payment method they had retained from when I last payed (11 months ago).

Are you sure that's not your automatic renewal for next year's cover and them informing you that they will take the payment of £360 unless you phone them to cancel.

I could hardly see an increase of £360 for one month's cover for a change of vehicle unless you're very young and it's a very high risk car you've just changed to.

You really need to phone to check.

Fleecedskinflint

They were absolutely clear on the phone there would be no fee, "no charge" at all in fact. And no other figure was given for ambiguity.

They did elect to forward me to renewals where I declined there 300% more expensive premium and persisted to amend the existing 26 days. Which they said would be free, as I was within my "renewal cycle". I think that is their marketing term for "can't let them leave".

I can't even check the policy because it requires an unspecified plugin which I determined to be Adobe, which I refuse to install. Foxit, sumoPDF, uPDF, all much better.

It looks like they have booked a new policy for me. So much for free.

They are called "Diamond". So much for clear and transparent.

Fleecedskinflint

browntoa wrote:

No FEE but an increased premium

So went from £20 a month to £360 a month?

jem16

Fleecedskinflint wrote: »

It looks like they have booked a new policy for me. So much for free.

Not necessarily. The email you received could have been coincidental and simply the normal renewal email which would have been sent automatically.

You'll never know till you contact them.

They are called "Diamond". So much for clear and transparent.

My parents have been with Admiral for quite a few years now. When they had to change from my Dad to my Mum they were extremely helpful and gave her my Dad's full no claims bonus. Always been extremely helpful.

dunstonh

Ahh, I think Jem is on to something there.

So went from £20 a month to £360 a month?

Have you checked to see if the £360 in monthly or annual?

dacouch

I think there's a problem with Admiral and adjusting policies close to renewal at the moment.

There are a few stories of this on the net at the moment