Warning - Automatic Car Insurance Renewal

[GlenRS]

I can't believe everyones attitude towards the OP here!

Car insurance is an annual thing, its NOT a recurring subscription! All documents should be sent out in the post and reliance on you receiving an email is not justification on them just carrying on.

I think the FSA would be interested in this and its def worth reporting. It wasn't long ago there was uproar about insurance compnanies cancelling polices via email when people had missed DD payments, and leaving people driving around uninusured, I know of a guy who also paid in full and there was an error with the payment and they "emailed" him to let him know they cancelled the policy on him, but it went out as spam and he never got it. They never actually wrote to him and he drove around for about 10 months totally unaware he had no insurance. Seems like a lot of you will have the thought its their own fault, but if you don't get that email you are blissfully unaware.

Personally I always use reputable agents / brokers and have never had a problem and have always been posted everything. If I was in the OP position is be kicking up a stink too! Did you pay on a credit card? If so reclaim the whole amount via your card.

[bam_bam]

OP, go to the FSA and see how far the rabbit hole goes. OR flap around on the forum crying "it's unfair". These are both options varying achievements, let's leave him to figure it out.

[Ian_C]

Common practice tbh, as mentioned above, the number of people who don't renew on time and drive around uninsured was becoming silly

Admiral are <beep> though............

[TonyRockyHorror]

I agree they are <beep>. Buy cheap buy <beep>.

For a car like an RS4 I'd always go through a sensible broker who I can call and talk to when I want to discuss something.

"Never scrimp on tyres, insurance or johnnies" - as my Dad used to say.

[Ian_C]

This thread reminded me to renew my 205 GTi, £190 including European breakdown, sorted

It wasn't auto renewal but the lady asked if they should save card details and auto renew next year. I declined

[MB2]

Was more meant as an alert to others to pay attention, than anthing else. Still disatisfied with the way Admiral handled things and if they don't come back will complain to the FSA not so much for the 22.50 (which bank has credited as a gesture of goodwill anyway) but the whole thing smacks of sharp practice to me (and the FSA apparently have 800 complaints a year so I am not alone, but maybe it isn't quite such a con as I first thought).

[Ian_C]

I've always wondered what happens if you let the policy renew automatically as the letter says, they attempt to charge your card on the renewal date, but the card rejects and you crash on the morning of the 'new' policy before the insurer have run the payment / contacted you to collect payment?

[spikeyboy101]

As others have said - standard practice.

And i guessing at some stage you opeted out of paper reminders and policy - im with Adrimal and everything came through the post for me

[Mr V10]

I agree they are <beep>. Buy cheap buy <beep>.

For a car like an RS4 I'd always go through a sensible broker who I can call and talk to when I want to discuss something.

"Never scrimp on tyres, insurance or johnnies" - as my Dad used to say.

I'd rather go with a big company like Admiral. They paid out for a fella who had his B5 RS 4 stolen from his drive on SRS with no fuss, and are the cheapest by far with me. If they got rid of the Indian call centres, they would be perfect.

- Every insurance company auto renews
- They all charge admin/cancellation fees.

800 complaints is probably nothing in the grand scheme of things.

[bam_bam]

If they got rid of the Indian call centres, they would be perfect.

Racist.

800 complaints is probably nothing in the grand scheme of things.

...give me your mobile number, I'll put it on a website for you. I'm sure with the profile description I write, you'll be racking up 800 calls a day from very 'friendly' men with effeminate voices. If you don't go 'that' way, I can ensure you only receive calls from 'angry' men with gruff voices... you'll probably make money off those guys, too.

So, car insurance, has this been covered yet?

[Mr V10]

If they got rid of the Indian call centres, they would be perfect.

Racist.

800 complaints is probably nothing in the grand scheme of things.

...give me your mobile number, I'll put it on a website for you. I'm sure with the profile description I write, you'll be racking up 800 calls a day from very 'friendly' men with effeminate voices. If you don't go 'that' way, I can ensure you only receive calls from 'angry' men with gruff voices... you'll probably make money off those guys, too.

So, car insurance, has this been covered yet?

My parents were born in India, so I can say it. The Indian accent is the worst possible one to have, it really does my head in, especially when my mum watches her stupid Indian soaps. Yeah, I said it.

P.S You mean you don't have my number, but I have yours. FIEEEEEEELDD DAYYY.

[bam_bam]

If they got rid of the Indian call centres, they would be perfect.

Racist.

800 complaints is probably nothing in the grand scheme of things.

...give me your mobile number, I'll put it on a website for you. I'm sure with the profile description I write, you'll be racking up 800 calls a day from very 'friendly' men with effeminate voices. If you don't go 'that' way, I can ensure you only receive calls from 'angry' men with gruff voices... you'll probably make money off those guys, too.

So, car insurance, has this been covered yet?

My parents were born in India, so I can say it. The Indian accent is the worst possible one to have, it really does my head in, especially when my mum watches her stupid Indian soaps. Yeah, I said it.

P.S You mean you don't have my number, but I have yours. FIEEEEEEELDD DAYYY.

Racist comment.
Hook.
Line.
And.
Sinker.
Every single time.

I've got your number, I found it in my mum's phone, said she got it from Amanda.

[ArthurPE]

I can't believe everyones attitude towards the OP here!

Car insurance is an annual thing, its NOT a recurring subscription! All documents should be sent out in the post and reliance on you receiving an email is not justification on them just carrying on.

I think the FSA would be interested in this and its def worth reporting. It wasn't long ago there was uproar about insurance compnanies cancelling polices via email when people had missed DD payments, and leaving people driving around uninusured, I know of a guy who also paid in full and there was an error with the payment and they "emailed" him to let him know they cancelled the policy on him, but it went out as spam and he never got it. They never actually wrote to him and he drove around for about 10 months totally unaware he had no insurance. Seems like a lot of you will have the thought its their own fault, but if you don't get that email you are blissfully unaware.

Personally I always use reputable agents / brokers and have never had a problem and have always been posted everything. If I was in the OP position is be kicking up a stink too! Did you pay on a credit card? If so reclaim the whole amount via your card.

sure it is, if you agree to it and give them your credit card information and tell them to do it unless you inform them otherwise...
he can't claim the whole amount, he agreed to the transaction, the insurer just didn't take it upon themselves, they had a contract

[ArthurPE]

I've always wondered what happens if you let the policy renew automatically as the letter says, they attempt to charge your card on the renewal date, but the card rejects and you crash on the morning of the 'new' policy before the insurer have run the payment / contacted you to collect payment?

read the fine print, bet you are not insured

[Ian_C]

I've always wondered what happens if you let the policy renew automatically as the letter says, they attempt to charge your card on the renewal date, but the card rejects and you crash on the morning of the 'new' policy before the insurer have run the payment / contacted you to collect payment?

read the fine print, bet you are not insured

I bet you aren't! The reason why I would opt out, that way I *KNOW* I'm insured if I call and pay myself every year