1st Central excessive address change fee

Logistic

I recently attempted to update my address online and found the process extremely confusing. After finally reaching customer service, I was shocked to be told that changing my address would cost £180—despite having only moved one mile down the road to a better area.

This charge feels completely unjustified and unlike anything I’ve experienced with other services, where address changes are typically free and straightforward. It’s disappointing to encounter what feels like an exploitative fee for something so basic.

To add to the frustration, cancelling my insurance policy cost was £40 which was agreed upon without issue, which makes the excessive address change fee even harder to understand.

I believe this kind of practice should not be legally allowed, and I hope the company reconsiders its approach to customer service and transparency.

 

Isthisforreal99

Logistic said:

I recently attempted to update my address online and found the process extremely confusing. After finally reaching customer service, I was shocked to be told that changing my address would cost £180—despite having only moved one mile down the road to a better area.

This charge feels completely unjustified and unlike anything I’ve experienced with other services, where address changes are typically free and straightforward. It’s disappointing to encounter what feels like an exploitative fee for something so basic.

To add to the frustration, cancelling my insurance policy cost was £40 which was agreed upon without issue, which makes the excessive address change fee even harder to understand.

I believe this kind of practice should not be legally allowed, and I hope the company reconsiders its approach to customer service and transparency.

 

And you know for sure that the £180 was purely an admin fee to change the address and not also down to an increase in premium? Your definition of a 'better area' means nothing when it comes to insurance.

What do the T&C's say about admin fees? Edit to add, max fee I can see for not doing an  online change is £30.

Ayr_Rage

A "better area" may have a higher vehicle theft/crime rate because the vehicles there are more desirable targets hence a greater risk to the insurer and an increased premium for you.

There is no way any company would charge £180 for admin changes.

MyRealNameToo

Logistic said:

I recently attempted to update my address online and found the process extremely confusing. After finally reaching customer service, I was shocked to be told that changing my address would cost £180—despite having only moved one mile down the road to a better area.

This charge feels completely unjustified and unlike anything I’ve experienced with other services, where address changes are typically free and straightforward. It’s disappointing to encounter what feels like an exploitative fee for something so basic.

To add to the frustration, cancelling my insurance policy cost was £40 which was agreed upon without issue, which makes the excessive address change fee even harder to understand.

I believe this kind of practice should not be legally allowed, and I hope the company reconsiders its approach to customer service and transparency.

That sounds surprisingly low for them to cancel the policy. 

Firstly they are an intermediary not an insurer so it's not them setting the price, only the admin fee is theirs. 

Secondly, you're the one wanting to change the matters mid term, you could choose not to move until the end of the policy. 

Thirdly insurance pricing is based on claims experience. You may think the area is better but the insurer may have a worse experience. In your old area if someone gets a minor dent they may not claim at all and think it just matches the one on the other side. In a posh area every minor mark is claimed for, garages charge more for prestige marks and often people want the branded garage to do the work and hire is more expensive. 

Isthisforreal99 said:

Logistic said:

I recently attempted to update my address online and found the process extremely confusing. After finally reaching customer service, I was shocked to be told that changing my address would cost £180—despite having only moved one mile down the road to a better area.

This charge feels completely unjustified and unlike anything I’ve experienced with other services, where address changes are typically free and straightforward. It’s disappointing to encounter what feels like an exploitative fee for something so basic.

To add to the frustration, cancelling my insurance policy cost was £40 which was agreed upon without issue, which makes the excessive address change fee even harder to understand.

I believe this kind of practice should not be legally allowed, and I hope the company reconsiders its approach to customer service and transparency.

 

And you know for sure that the £180 was purely an admin fee to change the address and not also down to an increase in premium? Your definition of a 'better area' means nothing when it comes to insurance.

It simply won't be but the OP can simply ask them... they must on request split premium and fees.