Insurance auto-renewal

HawkEye244 · 29 Jul 2018

Just wanted to know if written confirmation is enough to stop an auto-renewal ? I emailed my current insurer to say I didn't want to go with them this year, but they are demanding that I phone them (expensive number) to do it. Email confirmation is not enough.

Am I being unreasonable ? I'd rather not waste money in the phone.

I've basically sent a few emails (to and fro) that the written notification is as good as it gets , but they are arguing with me and their starting to bug me.

P.s. I feel like an idiot for wasting time on such shyte.

Any helpful advice or am I just simply wrong ?

sodthisforfun · 29 Jul 2018

Just phone em, it's seriously not worth the aggro.
And the next insurance agency you use, tell them at the start that you do not wish to have auto-renewal on your policy.

Notch7 · 29 Jul 2018

HawkEye244 said:
Any helpful advice or am I just simply wrong ?

If you dont ring, It will auto renew.....then you will have to ring and it will be more aggro.

Ring early when they open for best chance of getting through quickly

HawkEye244 · 29 Jul 2018

Understood lads.

But isn't that a bit of a scam ? If it takes me over an hour (at least 30 mins already) phoning an expensive number, its basically a scam isn't it ? I've already tried phoning them hence why I'm emailing them. I don't want to waste more money. They've not given me a reason why it can't be done via written instruction and I've asked twice.

Their telephone lines and web chat are constantly busy with 'other customers'.

If they take it out the bank could I just phone the bank and tell them to do a charge back ?

I've also told them to phone me but they refuse to offer call backs.

sodthisforfun · 29 Jul 2018

Have a google to see if there is a different, cheaper (if not free) number for them. Sometimes companies offer cheaper calls when getting quotes as they're trying to get your custom. Then see if you can be transferred internally by them. Also, don't call weekends as places tend to have less staff.

HawkEye244 said:
If they take it out the bank could I just phone the bank and tell them to do a charge back ?

If you don't tell them not to automatically renew the way they want you to, then they've done, in theory, nothing wrong. Then you'll just have to phone em anyway to cancel your insurance during the cooling off period and wait to get your dosh back through them.

HawkEye244 · 29 Jul 2018

sodthisforfun said:
Have a google to see if there is a different, cheaper (if not free) number for them. Sometimes companies offer cheaper calls when getting quotes as they're trying to get your custom. Then see if you can be transferred internally by them.

At this point I've dug my heels in enough that if I ended up having to phone them it would feel like a failure.

What nonsense I get myself into.

EFLImpudence · 29 Jul 2018

Cancel the direct debit.

When they don't get paid, they will ring you.

wv62 · 29 Jul 2018

Try the following https://www.saynoto0870.com
It's not just for 0870 numbers!! Type in the number or the company name and see if it brings up a non peak rate number.

EFLImpudence · 29 Jul 2018

Does it cost the same if you ring them on Skype?

HawkEye244 · 29 Jul 2018

EFLImpudence said:
Cancel the direct debit.

When they don't get paid, they will ring you.

It's not a direct debit it's a yearly one off payment unfortunately.

I phoned my bank and my options were either cancel the card and have it reissued, or put in a merchant dispute after they take the unauthorised payment.

I also asked if written instruction via e-mail to the insurance company is sufficient for the bank to refund my money, and they said yes. So it might be a case of letting the insurance company take the payment and then put in a dispute at the bank to get it back, which will take a while.

The bank said once a company has your details they can't stop them taking money, unless it's fraudulent, which it isn't as I've had prior dealings with the company.

Furthermore, isn't it illegal for a company to hold your bank details on their system? Or would I have agreed to them doing this when I took out the policy and nullified my rights ?

HawkEye244 · 29 Jul 2018

wv62 said:
Try the following https://www.saynoto0870.com
It's not just for 0870 numbers!! Type in the number or the company name and see if it brings up a non peak rate number.

Helpful but does that apply to mobiles?

I'm so frustrated right now I'd resent paying even 1pence per minute to them.

HawkEye244 · 29 Jul 2018

EFLImpudence said:
Does it cost the same if you ring them on Skype?

Never used Skype. Is there a lot involved in setting up an account ?

Notch7 · 29 Jul 2018

Can you send them a letter?

Print out email, sign, stick in envelope, post recorded delivery.

Email them again, say you cant get through on phone so emailed.

nauseous · 29 Jul 2018

They might insist on you phoning them so they can talk you round to them again, like offering you
a better quote.

sodthisforfun · 29 Jul 2018

HawkEye244 said:
What nonsense I get myself into.

Yep!
Some things are just not worth fighting, nor getting stressed over.
Just be sure to tell the new insurers no when it comes to automatic renewal. That's what I now do and this time next year you won't be doing the same old dance.

Insurance auto-renewal

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nauseous

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