Car Insurance Article Discussion

tobiaswebb

I just found out that AutoTrader Insurance put through nearly 3.5K in car insurance on my credit card two days ago. Last years I paid for a friends insurance and she paid me back. Then AutoTrader, without asking me, or her, for permission, go and re-issue insurance (without even including a no claims discount!) and charge my card. I think this is outrageous, surely they should ask permission rather than just charging credit cards automatically? They are totally unhelpful on the phone and extremely rude. They told me and the policy holder it was all our fault! Disgraceful. I am having my bank investigate them for fraud - in my view it is. Does anyone have a view on this (it never happened to me with my own car insurance in the past) and whether this is illegal, or simply unethical of them to do?

CAE

Some insurers have a clause in their terms and conditions which say they will automatically renew the insurance, unless it is cancelled before renewal date. This is reiterated on the renewal notice, which states how the payment will be collected. I suspect your friend had the renewal notice and ignored it.

My dads renewal notice from the Post Office has this information, and will find itself being cancelled next week.

It may be sneaky but it is in the terms and conditions.

Steve_xx

CAE wrote: »

Some insurers have a clause in their terms and conditions which say they will automatically renew the insurance, unless it is cancelled before renewal date. This is reiterated on the renewal notice, which states how the payment will be collected. I suspect your friend had the renewal notice and ignored it.

My dads renewal notice from the Post Office has this information, and will find itself being cancelled next week.

It may be sneaky but it is in the terms and conditions.

Yes my insurer tried this trick and I rang them and told them I didn't like it, ie the fact that they considered it ok to help themselves to monies from my account. To which they replied that in future they would ask me first.

I note your comment that it is in the terms and conditions. However, I don't agree since effectively and technically the terms and conditions of the contract you agreed to and signed up to ends on the alloted day. There is no agreement on your part for a contract to exist after that date and therefore I think that any run over might be avoidable.

dacouch

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uzairkhan25

Hi everyone, I wonder someone might be able to help me.
I am 20(will be 21 in 2 months) and want to get myself in my Dad's insurance who is over 50. The real problem is that we have been in UK for only a few years and both of us have UK full licence for only 1-2 years but he has been driving outside Eurpoe for over 30 years. Do you know any company who can get his international driving experience included (i.e. in the 'licence held since' section). I know Norwich does it but they quoted me over £1000.
Also, is there any cheap pay as you go or short term insurance for 2months which will make me 21 and will probably reduce my premium..
only 5 days before the insurance ends...

the-mad-one

ive rad and reread martins blogs on how to reduce car insurance, i always used confused.com past few years and had success with my current insurer kwik fit reducing my policy price to match what id been quoted on confused.com. HOwever this year i cant seem to get them or anyone to budge, ive done all the sites and yet i cant seem to find any of the cheaper quotes on the cashback sites and im still having to pay £400+ for insurance. Granted this is including protecting my no claims bonus and in SOME cases include breakdown service but wondered if anyone had any ideas to reduce it fuirther???

I drive a 51 plate ford mondeo estate no modifications no convictions or penalties, my husban has one claim of £1341 for a fault accident in june 2006 but we had protected NCD and it never made much difference past 2 years!!

with OH being self empoloyed in connection building trade which is fast reducing now we have to savbe money all ways and i do my best to chop bills where i can but this is just frustrating me as really cant afford to be increasing the premiums any more than what pay already £33mth nand would love to have reduced them considerably using all martins tips!!!! maybe martin himself might take pity and help me!!!!

needs to be completed as soon as due 27th may!!!! been searching for weeks now!! exhausted by it all!!

dacouch

Have you reviewed what miles you are currently doing as this may have reduced recently due to the recession. An easy way to check it to look at your MOT certificates as these record your mileage each year.

shatraj

Hi I'm really livid - my husband rang an insurance up on Monday of this week to start a policy for the tuesday when he picked up his 4x4 - the quote was good with a £126 deposit so this was paid to them. We have since found out that the policy specified that a particular type of immobiliser and alarm was needed which we had thought originally we had but unfortunately found out we didnt - there was also a maximum of 8000 miles a year and if we go over it will be a penalty charge of about £100 a year - my husband panicked because he is looking for another job and the limit on mileage might exceed - so we decided to cancel. They inform us that it has to be in writing and a cancellation charge of £50 will be taken. Also the time it takes to send in the letter will determine how long they will also charge for how many days cover we have had. So in a space of 2 days they have had £126 deposit which will only refund after they have taken £50 charge and few days insurance. Is this legal and fair.:mad:

Steve_xx

shatraj wrote: »

Hi I'm really livid - my husband rang an insurance up on Monday of this week to start a policy for the tuesday when he picked up his 4x4 - the quote was good with a £126 deposit so this was paid to them. We have since found out that the policy specified that a particular type of immobiliser and alarm was needed which we had thought originally we had but unfortunately found out we didnt - there was also a maximum of 8000 miles a year and if we go over it will be a penalty charge of about £100 a year - my husband panicked because he is looking for another job and the limit on mileage might exceed - so we decided to cancel. They inform us that it has to be in writing and a cancellation charge of £50 will be taken. Also the time it takes to send in the letter will determine how long they will also charge for how many days cover we have had. So in a space of 2 days they have had £126 deposit which will only refund after they have taken £50 charge and few days insurance. Is this legal and fair.:mad:

As you did the deal over the phone the Distance Selling Rules might apply and you may be able to avoid the charge.

KLB

I’ve just gone thru all the comparison websites and am surprised at how high the cheapest quote is - £533.60 for 3rd party fire & theft. I’m 37, live in east London (that probably doesn’t help!), a new driver and this is my first car (also probably doesn’t help). I didn’t think it would cost that much tho! Does it sound about right?