27 replies to this topic

[venkman]

I took a policy out with them in feb this year,said policy would be in post and have it by weds.It took 8 phone calls a threat to cancel and then told they would charge. Like everyone else i paid the policy in full over the phone then when i said i was cancelling it would take upto 30 days to give money back!!!!!!

 

Stayed with them because they were cheapest bu be looking round next feb!!!

 

Oh one other thing ringing round for quotes like you do, got a quote through the post from Lancaster BEFORE my policy must have been underwriters!

[Jordie]

Cant say ive had any problems with them, other than the letter about my NCB not been accepted....

 

....because i hadnt used it in the last 12 months, but NCB stays valid for 2 yrs from last policy. Once explained to them that I had insured another car with them on a policy that didnt accrue NCB and i had access to another car, they soon realised there mistake and it was sorted in a quick tick of a box.

 

Jordie

[govig]

You can't be charged a cancellation fee for future insurance before its inception UNLESS you contracted to stay with them for a certain time (to get a discount based on that) and then didn't. I've never heard of this with motor insurance although it is common with property insurance. I get a discount for staying with the house insurer for 3 year blocks and would expect to pay if I cancelled that agreement.

 

So...... 1) Read what you've agreed to. 2) If you think you still shouldn't have to pay, write to them by recorded delivery asking exactly what this cancellation fee is for and that you will challenge it unless they can properly justify it. Send this before the renewal date/time which is often noon on the specific date. From what you've said it sounds like a try-on.

 

PS the first paragraph is not the case in France where you have to give notice by their special recorded delivery three months prior to renewal!!

Edited by govig, 23 August 2013 - 06:20 PM.

[miniyellowmini]

Churchill once tried this on with me before the automatic renewal had commenced. After coming off the phone with them, I contacted my card company immediately and was able to cancel the card (the only way Barclaycard to stop the transaction) before Churchill had managed to charge me the fee. Never heard anything from them afterwards, which suprised me somewhat.

[Ethel]

If you pay by debit card your bank must "charge back" (cancel) any payment if you ask them to, it's a condition of taking payment via the card. There are similar arrangements for credit cards, with the added benefits of section 75 of the consumer credit act. If you were paying by direct debit you'd need to get it cancelled sharpish, or you could end up having to chase them. I can't see.

 

Ask them to explain the part of the contract that entitles them to a cancellation fee, I very much doubt it would be enforceable if it even exists. Don't be bullied by them, I reckon a lot of the time the staff try to treat you as a bad debt to avoid admitting their *******-ups.

[alicetheauto]

I had exactly the same thing, with Lancaster. They tried to auto renew, but the policy trebled. When I cancelled they charged me £90 to my card. The next day I got a letter asking for another £120. A couple of firm emails threatening to CC the fsa and ombudsmen suddenly had the £90 back in my account within 24 hours. It's amazing what happens when they think a massive bucket of poo is going to land on them.

[1984mini25]

Churchill once tried this on with me before the automatic renewal had commenced. After coming off the phone with them, I contacted my card company immediately and was able to cancel the card (the only way Barclaycard to stop the transaction) before Churchill had managed to charge me the fee. Never heard anything from them afterwards, which suprised me somewhat.

I renewed with Churchill in 09, thought nothing of it as I had no problems the first time round. Until I went to get some money out/fill up for the mini cooper day at beaulieu, only then to find that they had taken the yearly payment no less than 4 times, £960 in total. Then had the cheek to say that I was paying my policy monthly and that was the first payment. They eventually sorted it, but I've never insured with them since.

[puggered]

Churchill once tried this on with me before the automatic renewal had commenced. After coming off the phone with them, I contacted my card company immediately and was able to cancel the card (the only way Barclaycard to stop the transaction) before Churchill had managed to charge me the fee. Never heard anything from them afterwards, which suprised me somewhat.

Churchill were funny with me when I took out a modern policy for my Spi cooper. They threatened to cancel my policy because they were concerned about the long gap (almost 2 years) in my NCB from my previous insurers. I called them up and told them that I was running classic cars during that period and if it was a problem then they could shove their policy up their ar$e and I'd just go back to my previous company (The AA). I also reminded them that I haven't had an accident or claim in the 21 years of me driving. They instantly backed down! My 4 other classics are insured with FJ and in the 15 years of my dealings with FJ I haven't ever had a single problem with them.

[Daviewonder]

this might not make sense. but bare with me... i think classic insurance is a bit like that special shampoo for men... its basically just the same as the standard stuff, but you actually pay more because you think its made for you, and that it will somehow be better...

 

 

 

Not quite. It's pretty good in most cases. I'm only paying £200 pound a year for my group 20 205 gti.

[Chris1992]

 

this might not make sense. but bare with me... i think classic insurance is a bit like that special shampoo for men... its basically just the same as the standard stuff, but you actually pay more because you think its made for you, and that it will somehow be better...

 

 

 

Not quite. It's pretty good in most cases. I'm only paying £200 pound a year for my group 20 205 gti.

 

 

very nice! to be honest, i cant really complain... im paying £278 for my mini, fully comp, and im a young driver  . although i have got 2 years no claims 

[chabmk]

Well, I am still in dispute with them arguing now over £36 for cancellation during renewal stage. But Adrian flux came up sooooo much cheaper and the policy doesn't have all this agro. I think it is a shame really! Silly people. lol

[Carlos W]

Well, I am still in dispute with them arguing now over £36 for cancellation during renewal stage. But Adrian flux came up sooooo much cheaper and the policy doesn't have all this agro. I think it is a shame really! Silly people. lol

As suggested, ask what the fee is for and tell them you do not give permission for them to take the money and that you're going to the insurance ombudsmen!

[chabmk]

I've asked them that exact question, they struggled to understand. So I asked for a breakdown of the charge. Lancaster have said its just a standard charge, but can't seem to explain what for or the breakdown of it and how it comes to that.

It's interesting how some companies think because they say something that then that means they are correct and assume that people's lack of knowledge will just go along with what they say.

Oh the joys! Haha