Car Insurance Article Discussion

Steve_xx

lisyloo wrote: »

I agree with you Quentin.
Any information on the internet may be incorrect out of date or both.

The problem is that Lynn and Steve want to go DIY but want minimum work by having their priority features made clear up front.
The problem is that what is priority for them isn't for other people and it's not possible to put ALL the info in the headlines.

Yes, I make no apology for wanting to know all of the facts before I buy. And most people, if they used common sense, would want the same.

This does not tell me if my policy is renewable or not.
MAY means it might be or might not be.
I can't agree that this is clear about what's going to happen.
I get round by phoning them up to ask if it isn't clear to me and I don't consider that to be anything worth complaning about TBH.

It isn't clear at all, it's ambiguous. It's meant to be ambiguous. It's a ploy so as not to alert one to the possibility.

lynnpin

I'm pleased to see that even confused.com are calling this "the auto renewal trap". Maybe if the big boys are involved we might see this outlawed.

See the article at:

http://www.confused.com/featured-articles/motoring/car-insurance/car-insurance-auto-renewals-your-rights-1041809414?MediaCode=806&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_source=Newsletter25Oct&utm_content=2010

lisyloo

Yes, I make no apology for wanting to know all of the facts before I buy. And most people, if they used common sense, would want the same.

I totally agree with you on that Steve.
No-one is saying you should not have all the facts.

It isn't clear at all, it's ambiguous. It's meant to be ambiguous. It's a ploy so as not to alert one to the possibility.

I agree with you it's not clear.
I don't agree that it doesn't alert you to the possibility. It quite clearly does alert you to the possibility and that information is there before your buy.
I would personally like to see it clearer, rather than "MAY".
But I don't believe it's a huge big deal to check it.

If you object to it, then what I don't understand is why you would take a policy with them?
Why don't you simply deal with companies where you do like their business practices?? That's what I do. For a start I want to support them so they'll be around in future and also treat me decently when I make a claim.
That's what I don't get.
If you feel a company is involved in sharp practice from the outset? then why would you want to deal with them?

Steve_xx

lisyloo wrote: »

If you object to it, then what I don't understand is why you would take a policy with them?

The cost of the alternative might be too punitive

Why don't you simply deal with companies where you do like their business practices?? That's what I do. For a start I want to support them so they'll be around in future and also treat me decently when I make a claim.
That's what I don't get.
If you feel a company is involved in sharp practice from the outset? then why would you want to deal with them?

As I said earlier, you are often pursuaded by price.

I just arranged a policy for my niece with Admiral. It looks to me like there may be an automatic renewal there, but it's not clear and so I am unsure.

In addition to that, and at the end of the very laborious process when I came to purchase the policy I was suddenly presented with a levy of £4.50 if I wanted to pay a credit card. Needless to say I used a debit card instead and the charge was nil.

Then, post the buying process I now note that because I've bought the policy, and therefore am effectively trapped, that if I wish to contact them for any reason then I must do so via an expensive 0871 telephone number. No longer am I able to contact them on the 'luring in' freephone 0800 number.

These are just some examples of the distasteful antics of these insurance outfits.

dacouch

Steve_xx wrote: »

As I said earlier, you are often pursuaded by price.

I just arranged a policy for my niece with Admiral. It looks to me like there may be an automatic renewal there, but it's not clear and so I am unsure.

In addition to that, and at the end of the very laborious process when I came to purchase the policy I was suddenly presented with a levy of £4.50 if I wanted to pay a credit card. Needless to say I used a debit card instead and the charge was nil.

Then, post the buying process I now note that because I've bought the policy, and therefore am effectively trapped, that if I wish to contact them for any reason then I must do so via an expensive 0871 telephone number. No longer am I able to contact them on the 'luring in' freephone 0800 number.

These are just some examples of the distasteful antics of these insurance outfits.

This may help you http://www.saynoto0870.com/companysearch.php

mikey72

Steve_xx wrote: »

As I said earlier, you are often pursuaded by price.

I just arranged a policy for my niece with Admiral. It looks to me like there may be an automatic renewal there, but it's not clear and so I am unsure.

In addition to that, and at the end of the very laborious process when I came to purchase the policy I was suddenly presented with a levy of £4.50 if I wanted to pay a credit card. Needless to say I used a debit card instead and the charge was nil.

Then, post the buying process I now note that because I've bought the policy, and therefore am effectively trapped, that if I wish to contact them for any reason then I must do so via an expensive 0871 telephone number. No longer am I able to contact them on the 'luring in' freephone 0800 number.

These are just some examples of the distasteful antics of these insurance outfits.

Actually, you're in a worse situation.
You have paid, but as the policy is not your's you can't instruct them not to renew.
If you niece doesn't, you can't cancel either.
But by their rules they can debit your card next year, providing they tell the third party they're going to.

Steve_xx

mikey72 wrote: »

Actually, you're in a worse situation.
You have paid, but as the policy is not your's you can't instruct them not to renew.
If you niece doesn't, you can't cancel either.
But by their rules they can debit your card next year, providing they tell the third party they're going to.

Yes, point taken. That won't be a problem here, but what you say is absolutely valid. If a situation of that nature did arise, I'd cancel the debit card!

lisyloo

As I said earlier, you are often pursuaded by price.

Oh I agree totally, that it is pracitcally always a trade-off of come description.
But if you choose that particualr trade-off then you still have to accept that you have choose to take it "warts and all" and deal with it the best way you can.

It looks to me like there may be an automatic renewal there, but it's not clear and so I am unsure.

Check then.

I now note that because I've bought the policy, and therefore am effectively trapped

Do all your research up front.

that if I wish to contact them for any reason then I must do so via an expensive 0871 telephone number.

You can often email if you like (or use the phone number website).
I've had mostly good experience with email from my insurers.

If a situation of that nature did arise, I'd cancel the debit card!

That does not mean you are not liable.
If ti was a £10 magazine subscription they wouldn't pursue it, but if it's an insurance contract they may well pursue it via selling it to a debtcollection agency, getting a CCJ etc. i.e. the normal legal process.
Just because you cancel a method of payment, does not get you out of a legally binding contract.
In some cases they may decide NOT to pursue it, so some people MAY have done this sucessfully. That doesn't mean it's a reliabel repeateable technique.
In general for insurance they WILL pursue, but for magazines they won't.

mikey72

Steve_xx wrote: »

Yes, point taken. That won't be a problem here, but what you say is absolutely valid. If a situation of that nature did arise, I'd cancel the debit card!

You can't.
The bank will still allow them to charge it to your account, and supply the new debit card details directly.
There have been previous posts on here where this has happened.
They have it sewn up all ways.

lisyloo

Yes, you must cancel the contract not just the method of payment.

If you do this by letter I recommend recorded delivery for 75p.
If you do it by phone, then take the name, date and time.
The date and time can help to pull recordings, but my personal experience is that if you get someone's name then they tend not to "forget" or "lose" things.