Auto Renewal Home Insurance

Silks

We had home insurance arranged through Direct Dial which expired in early Oct.

They wrote to us on 6th October to tell us they would renew unless we said not to but the letter seems to have got lost in the postal strike and only arrived today.

Meanwhile, they tried to take the new annual premium through a cancelled (0%) credit card which, obviously, didn't go through.

The upshot of all this is that we've got a new home insurer but Direct Dial are claiming a cancellation and admin fee for the "renewed" contract amounting to nearly £200.

I get the impression from looking at other threads that Direct Dial have us bang to rights and we'll have to grit our teeth and pay.

But it seems to me that renewing a contract by omission as a result of poorly explained small print is inconsistent with recent improvements in business ethics. Are there any campaigns/movements we can add our support to to end this invidious practice?

jonesMUFCforever

If you can prove that you had alternative cover in place on the renewal date I see no reason why you should be forced to pay.

Write a letter of complaint enclosing a copy of your new schedule - if you still get hassle contact CAB.

dunstonh

Under treating customers fairly (FSA rules), the insurance company would need to consider the postal strike and its impact on renewals. It is unlikely the company would get far if they tried to enforce it and you took it to complaint.