Automatic insurance renewal

[david_s]

My car insurance is due for renewal and the renewal notice contains words to the effect of 'we have your credit card details on file and will automatically debit the card UNLESS YOU TELL US NOT TO'. As far as I am concerned this is tantamount to theft, if I want them to debit my card I will tell them to do so, I shouldn't have to tell them not to.

Can they do this? I certainly never agreed to let them when I originally took out the policy, unless there was some very small print that I missed.

[UpTheIron]

Always read the small print

[Tafia]

david_s said:

My car insurance is due for renewal and the renewal notice contains words to the effect of 'we have your credit card details on file and will automatically debit the card UNLESS YOU TELL US NOT TO'. As far as I am concerned this is tantamount to theft, if I want them to debit my card I will tell them to do so, I shouldn't have to tell them not to. Can they do this? I certainly never agreed to let them when I originally took out the policy, unless there was some very small print that I missed.

The RAC do this for renewals too. And Direct Line.

[UpTheIron]

Direct Line don't - or at least they didn't with me.

I've insured the Chimaera then the Tuscan with them for the past 3 years - each renewal quote is always about 50% higher than a "new" policy from them.

[david_s]

UpTheIron said:

Always read the small print

If you take the insurance out by telephone there is no small print to read at the time the contract is formed. If the clause is included in the paperwork they subsequently send out can they claim that it forms part of the contract? I know that I have never knowingly given them permission to take any more than 1 single payment for 1 years insurance, yet they believe it is ok to take further undisclosed and un-agreed payments for future insurance I may neither want nor need.

[gingerpaul]

UpTheIron said:

Direct Line don't - or at least they didn't with me.

They did with me. Took 6 months to sort it all out. I did a quick check on the net and found that getting a brand new policy was around £100 cheaper than just going with the renewal. I didn't even consider that they would renew it without asking. I ended up with 2 policies running for 4 months, and it eventually ended up with them sending me a cheque for over £300 and then getting debt collectors on me for £27.

Insurance companies =

[deva link]

Liverpool Victoria (aka Frizzell) do this, but I was specifically asked if I wanted to do this when I took out the policy.

I wonder if, like the mobile phone suppliers, when you phone up to say you don't want to renew they'll offer you a lower price?

[shagga]

This seems to be getting much more prevalent with any kind of insurance travel home car breakdown etc. The assumption always seems to be to automatically renew unless you call and put a stop to it.
Privelege also do this. Got my renewal through and due on the 19th feb. Called them to give different credit card details and they were going to bill the card instantly!!Told them I didn't want to pay until the date of the renewal and they altered the payment details. Bad enough having to fork out every year without them taking the money 3 weeks early.

[shagga]

This seems to be getting much more prevalent with any kind of insurance travel home car breakdown etc. The assumption always seems to be to automatically renew unless you call and put a stop to it.
Privelege also do this. Got my renewal through and due on the 19th feb. Called them to give different credit card details and they were going to bill the card instantly!!Told them I didn't want to pay until the date of the renewal and they altered the payment details. Bad enough having to fork out every year without them taking the money 3 weeks early.