Automatic Insurance Renewal - Surely they cant do this ?
Discussion
I thought you had to actually do something to confirm insurance renewal but Norwich Union dont see it that way. My Wifes insurance is due for renewal on 22-Nov so I rang them to tell them we wouldnt be renewing - Just a courtesy call really as I have cancelled the Direct debit. After going through the usual 'we can get you a better quote' they then told me that they needed to speak to my wife to cancel the insurance. Now shes gone out for the night so isnt available to talk to them.
They tell me that unless they talk to her and SHE tells them its cancelled they will automatically renew the policy and then chase her for the money. I thought automatic renewals were illegal for insurance, am I wrong ?
They tell me that unless they talk to her and SHE tells them its cancelled they will automatically renew the policy and then chase her for the money. I thought automatic renewals were illegal for insurance, am I wrong ?
screem said:
Automatic renewals are defo not illegal. Mine with Direct line gets renewed every year and also have one for the pooch through Kennel club which does the same.
Can work both ways ie you forget to renew and your car gets nicked.
That's true actually and with mine at least they let you know about a month before it's up for renewal, no one could beat my renewal quote so just let it carry on.Can work both ways ie you forget to renew and your car gets nicked.
Sorry, but if it's your wife's insurance, why are they talking to you about it anyway? If she's not renewing fair enough, but I would have expected them to want to discuss and confirm that with her, which is exactly what they want her to do. So what's the problem, all she has to do is call them tomorrow.
I had a similar thing with them on my other car , when It came time to renew they couldnt get within £150 of the best quote but wanted to keep arguing. I had to get quite cross with them before they would accept that I wasnt going to renew. Twunts.
Oh I bet I've broken the name and shame rules. Oops.
Oh I bet I've broken the name and shame rules. Oops.
Balmoral Green said:
Sorry, but if it's your wife's insurance, why are they talking to you about it anyway? If she's not renewing fair enough, but I would have expected them to want to discuss and confirm that with her, which is exactly what they want her to do. So what's the problem, all she has to do is call them tomorrow.
Well they were happy enough to discuss the policy and options at length, provide me with an updated quote and offer to take my card details now (or continue with direct debit if thats my preference). Only when I told them their quote was still way over the odds and the policy wouldnt be renewed did they suddenly want to speak to her. As I pay for all things to do with cars and she really doesnt have a clue...' yes I have a car..its silver...mmm shiny' I do all this kind of stuff.
She'll give them a ring tomorrow and probably give them an earful but hey ho their choice.
bigdods said:
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Well they were happy enough to discuss the policy and options at length, provide me with an updated quote and offer to take my card details now (or continue with direct debit if thats my preference).
Fair do's then, data protection and client confidentiality, but only when it suits them.Well they were happy enough to discuss the policy and options at length, provide me with an updated quote and offer to take my card details now (or continue with direct debit if thats my preference).
The rules are often different for "talking about" and cancelling the policy. Clearly the latter has greater ramifications for the insured, and unless you have Power Of Attorney or are a Nominated Agent then you may not be able to cancel.
As a spouse, probably all they would ask you is "do you have the policyholders permission" and that would cover them under the DPA.
Although considering some of the "experts" here don't understand the DPA, expecting a call-centre operative to always get it right is asking a lot
Could have been a clever plan to pass it off to the retention team, who may have more monetary authority to make you happy.
As a spouse, probably all they would ask you is "do you have the policyholders permission" and that would cover them under the DPA.
Although considering some of the "experts" here don't understand the DPA, expecting a call-centre operative to always get it right is asking a lot
Could have been a clever plan to pass it off to the retention team, who may have more monetary authority to make you happy.
Edited by Noger on Wednesday 5th November 20:17
Noger said:
The rules are often different for "talking about" and cancelling the policy. Clearly the latter has greater ramifications for the insured, and unless you have Power Of Attorney or are a Nominated Agent then you may not be able to cancel.
Thats probably a good point cos lets say youve just found out your wifes not been faithful, you could cancel her insurance and then go and take the car and burn it.Especially if you know how much she loves the car! that could seem quite enticing after finding out shes been knocking off your best pal.
Unless you are authorised to talk about the policy, they will not let you cancel it. Getting authorised is really easy just get your wife to call them and say she is happy for you to talk abou the account.
They need to be sure that you are not doing anything behind her back, what if you had just split up and out of malice cancelled the D/D.
Actually I like the fact that they do automatic renewal as I always forget it needs to be done and this means I will always be covered. Guess it helps that my insurance payment is very low and so not worth spending hours looking for new quotes.
They need to be sure that you are not doing anything behind her back, what if you had just split up and out of malice cancelled the D/D.
Actually I like the fact that they do automatic renewal as I always forget it needs to be done and this means I will always be covered. Guess it helps that my insurance payment is very low and so not worth spending hours looking for new quotes.
screem said:
Thats probably a good point cos lets say youve just found out your wifes not been faithful, you could cancel her insurance and then go and take the car and burn it.
but I wasnt cancelling the policy, just advising them we werent going to renew it on 22-Nov. So plenty of time for them to get a confirmation of cancellation letter out. How many posts do we get on here where people get stopped and, blow me, turns out they've forgotten to renew their insurance?
I think it's a good thing. Apart from eliminating the chance of forgetting, the best part is that it gives you the opportunity to ring up and ask them to stop and they then turn themselves inside out to keep the business.
I negotiated my daughter's renewal the other day and from £386 I eventually paid £250. She just had to have a quick word to say I was acting on with her permission then I did the whole thing.
I think it's a good thing. Apart from eliminating the chance of forgetting, the best part is that it gives you the opportunity to ring up and ask them to stop and they then turn themselves inside out to keep the business.
I negotiated my daughter's renewal the other day and from £386 I eventually paid £250. She just had to have a quick word to say I was acting on with her permission then I did the whole thing.
bigdods said:
screem said:
Thats probably a good point cos lets say youve just found out your wifes not been faithful, you could cancel her insurance and then go and take the car and burn it.
but I wasnt cancelling the policy, just advising them we werent going to renew it on 22-Nov. So plenty of time for them to get a confirmation of cancellation letter out. Noger said:
The rules are often different for "talking about" and cancelling the policy. Clearly the latter has greater ramifications for the insured, and unless you have Power Of Attorney or are a Nominated Agent then you may not be able to cancel.
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