Definition of "new customer"

Ialwaysgetdone

That would be great Oscar The Grouch.

From what it says on their site, if I answer all questions asked by them when filling in the online form, it is then up to them to decide whether or not to accept it or to reject it which is what others have been saying. -

PRODUCT TERMS AND CONDITIONS


The content of the Site does not constitute an offer by us to sell products and services. Your request to purchase a product or service represents an offer by you and will be subject to the terms and conditions of that product or service that we may accept or reject. After you make a request through the Site to purchase the product or service then assuming such product or service is available to you and your offer is accepted, you will receive confirmation of your purchase.

The information and descriptions on the Site do not necessarily represent complete descriptions of all terms, conditions and exclusions and the precise cover provided (as applicable) shall be included in the schedule of cover, policy documents and/or conditions of purchase issued to you.
If you apply for any product or service detailed on the Site, these conditions of use should be read in conjunction with any other terms and conditions relating to that product or service and, in the event of any contradiction between these conditions of use and the specific product of service terms and conditions, the latter shall prevail.
You must ensure that the details you give to us while using this Site are correct and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the product or service. In the case of requesting an automatic renewal the credit or debit card you are using must be your own and not in anyone else's name.


I see that the 30% discount no longer applies, offer must have ran out on 31st May I think but there is an 'up to' 25% discount for buying online now which is valid until 31st August

gocat

Ialwaysgetdone wrote: »

I see that the 30% discount no longer applies, offer must have ran out on 31st May I think but there is an 'up to' 25% discount for buying online now which is valid until 31st August

Doesnt seem to mention you have to be a new customer now either.......does it

Another thing I thought of is on the online form, they ask you if you have other DL polices and offer discounts. So going by that, they should know if one is not a new customer and I assume that the online quote wouldnt include the new customer discount but would include the existing customer discount (gawd Im confusing myself but does it make sense? )

gocat

Ialwaysgetdone wrote: »

On the online application it gives you the opportunity to have the home insurance in joint names but why? Is it so that when it comes to renewal neither of us would be 'new customers'?

I use to just have the home policy in my name but when we had to claim they would only speak to me on the phone (and I dont like phones). They refused to speak to hubby, so now we have it in joint names. Didnt think of the "new customer" aspect :lipsrseal

Ialwaysgetdone

gocat wrote: »

Doesnt seem to mention you have to be a new customer now either.......does it

Another thing I thought of is on the online form, they ask you if you have other DL polices and offer discounts. So going by that, they should know if one is not a new customer and I assume that the online quote wouldnt include the new customer discount but would include the existing customer discount (gawd Im confusing myself but does it make sense? )

It doesn't appear to Gocat, all I can see is "free accidental damage cover for new customers buying contents before 31st Aug". I have a quote with a reference number for the 30% off that they sent in an email - for new customers though so

I'm still not sure if they mean new customer to Direct Line or just new customer to a particur type of insurance, eg if you have motor insurance with them and wanted to take home insurance as well, not sure if it's classed as new customer or not

Ialwaysgetdone

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

I have a possible solution; I'll phone the Financial Ombudsman Service next week and set up a new post with their response on this forum. I'll not have a chance to do so until Thursday and I propose to ask them 2 specific questions:

1. If someone allows their policy to expire and then takes up a new policy with the same insurer, would the FOS consider them to be a new customer?

2. If an insurer offers a discount to "new customers only" and their website allows existing policyholders to obtain new policies with this discount, would you consider this to be a breach of utmost good faith by the customer or poor programming by the insurer?

If anyone has any suggested changes to these questions, please post them on here and I will review them on Wednesday evening.

Please remember that advice given by the FOS when asked for technical assistance is just that; advice. Their advice is intended to give direction without a "decision", as they cannot give a full response without all the facts of a case.

Did you ever do this? I can't see it anywhere on the forum

I have to get insurance today, should have been done a couple of days ago

silvercar

Last year I renewed my direct line home insurance. I rang them up and asked why the renewal quote was so high, they suggested not renewing and taking out a new policy online.

This year's renewal quote has just landed on the mat.

MarkyMarkD

Part of the problem is that many insurers give online discounts, but only in the first year and then illogically charge you the "non-online" rate thereafter.

The whole insurance pricing structure is severely flawed. It is madness that loyal customers are penalised across the board whilst all the marketing money goes into recruiting new customers rather than retaining existing ones.

Even without Quidco (and the like) cashbacks, it's often easy to save money by taking out a new policy with the same insurer. With Quidco etc. built in, it's almost impossible not to.

grandmaster00

best thing i can recommend to do is try to get cheaper quotes from other companies and also an online quote - ring them up and you will get put through to their retention dept when you tell them the news !!!!! the retention dept has the facility to discount up to at least 50% of the original premium...... they will match an online quote, they will also allow you to buy it online and will still validate all claims. they will also allow your wife to buy it as a new customer - you obviously spoke to a rep who had like the 2nd poster said had a bad day. if you dont get transferred to the retention dept first time round then try again you will eventually , its a small dept and they get very busy from what ive heard......................

Ialwaysgetdone

I've had to buy it, couldn't wait any longer for Oscar The Grouch's info from the FOS but if he has it then I'm sure others would be interested to kinow what they said

hansi

There is a simpler solution. Try another Company. There are loads out there all vying for your business and of course there's the cashback! Also, never have automatic renewal on you CC. Very difficult to cancel.