Home Insurance renewal fee

JBMouse

Just received my house and contents and legal protection renewal quote from RIAS, not risen much from last year, about £8 more, but now the price breakdown shows a £20 set-up fee for arranging the renewal, which has never appeared before, and comprises a cost of 15.6% of the 'before fee' quote!
I will be 'phoning to have the fee removed, but wonder if anyone else has had any luck getting this fee removed.
I must assume the fee is there to replace the credit card surcharge cost that the companies are no longer allowed to levy, but, as debit card payer, I don't go with the idea that I should have to pay this fee, when, in the past, I have not paid.
Any answers please, and I will get back to this thread in a few days time when I have tackled RIAS myself about the fee.

noh

The fee always was included in the quote you were given.
They along with other brokers are now separately listing the arrangement fee. It has nothing to do with card processing fees.
You will not get the fee removed.

Reardoa

Brokers will often charge a fee particularly on house and car insurance as they make very little from it to justify providing that type of policy. £20 is very reasonable to be fair but it should be noted on previous documentation unless they have changed the processes and decided to start charging fees.

JBMouse

Thanks for the replies - further research suggests RIAS are merely brokers as the insurance itself is through Aegeas, and RIAS are showing that they take a one off fee each year rather than a percentage or commission on the insurance cost. Standard industry practice now I believe. I will however, still attempt a removal or reduction - if you don't ask you don't get as my old Gran used to say!

paddyandstumpy

JBMouse wrote: »

Thanks for the replies - further research suggests RIAS are merely brokers as the insurance itself is through Aegeas, and RIAS are showing that they take a one off fee each year rather than a percentage or commission on the insurance cost. Standard industry practice now I believe. I will however, still attempt a removal or reduction - if you don't ask you don't get as my old Gran used to say!

So if they don't take commission (not sure I believe this TBH) and you're asking them to remove their only income on the case; what are they working for?

Reardoa

They probably will be taking commission but it will be a low percentage from a low premium hence the need for a small fee. They should really look to earn at least £50 otherwise it isn't worth them offering the policy.

dacouch

Last time I looked Aegis owned RIAS

antrobus

dacouch wrote: »

Last time I looked Aegis owned RIAS

RIAS is a trading name of Ageas Retail Limited.

https://www.rias.co.uk/about-us/

ageas car and home insurance is arranged and administered by Ageas Retail Limited and underwritten by Ageas Insurance Limited

https://www.ageas.co.uk/

So basically you have an insurance company who is just loading the premium. Go forth and multiply.