One mistake after another...

misskool

I do most things online, saving me countless trips to shops etc etc...

Having looked for the cheapest student possessions insurance online, I decided to go for E and L Insurance, based in York which claimed to be the cheapest and provide instant cover as well as a 5% discount when you do it online.

I bought the policy using their Instant cover on 26 July 2005, but did not receive a copy of my policy documents until today 12 August! They told me that a copy had been emailed to me 8 August but even then that is 12 days without a policy document.

Which would have not been the worse thing but due to extraordinary circumstance, I moved on 2 August 2005 and phoned them on 3 Aug requesting a change of address, and confirmed that it was done, over the phone. And you guessed it, the policy I received today did not change the address that I had confirmed over the phone so I have not been insured since moving to my new address.

And finally, the premium on the policy, I opted to pay for a monthly policy by direct debit and the first payment went out for a total of £10.10. Which felt more than what I thought it should have been but without an insurance policy, I couldn't confirm or deny. Today, I read that my premium is £8.50+5% insurance tax. So, they've overcharged me for this month on top of everything else.

I have never had any problems with insurers before (until now) so am at a loss as to what I should do next.
a) isit wrong for them to not send my policy until it is too late for me to cancel with them (I think it's a 14-day cooling off period?)
b) would a refund be possible for the dates at which I was insured for the wrong place?
c) where do i complain?

If anyone has ever dealt with them before, can you please inform me how/what this company is like?

Thank very much for reading this far and any advice!

maclean2

misskool wrote:

I do most things online, saving me countless trips to shops etc etc...

Having looked for the cheapest student possessions insurance online, I decided to go for E and L Insurance, based in York which claimed to be the cheapest and provide instant cover as well as a 5% discount when you do it online.

I bought the policy using their Instant cover on 26 July 2005, but did not receive a copy of my policy documents until today 12 August! They told me that a copy had been emailed to me 8 August but even then that is 12 days without a policy document.

Which would have not been the worse thing but due to extraordinary circumstance, I moved on 2 August 2005 and phoned them on 3 Aug requesting a change of address, and confirmed that it was done, over the phone. And you guessed it, the policy I received today did not change the address that I had confirmed over the phone so I have not been insured since moving to my new address.

And finally, the premium on the policy, I opted to pay for a monthly policy by direct debit and the first payment went out for a total of £10.10. Which felt more than what I thought it should have been but without an insurance policy, I couldn't confirm or deny. Today, I read that my premium is £8.50+5% insurance tax. So, they've overcharged me for this month on top of everything else.

I have never had any problems with insurers before (until now) so am at a loss as to what I should do next.
a) isit wrong for them to not send my policy until it is too late for me to cancel with them (I think it's a 14-day cooling off period?)
b) would a refund be possible for the dates at which I was insured for the wrong place?
c) where do i complain?

If anyone has ever dealt with them before, can you please inform me how/what this company is like?

Thank very much for reading this far and any advice!

Alice

Hi - as I read their wording the 14 day cooling off period only applies from the date you receive the policy.I would cancel the policy and your direct debits immediately.I suggest you write to E & L by Recorded Delivery as unfortunately they have a poor reputation for service and claims handling.Saxon and Endsleigh are more reputable providers for you to choose from.As one months premium is only £8 a long correspondence to recover your 1st premium may not really be worth it.

Best of luck.