Auto-renew BMW insurance

[Kiwi_Mike]

Just checked my credit card statement and I've been charged £545 by Devitt Insurance. I am guessing this is some kind of auto-renew charge from the Motorrad insurance as my policy is up on Feb 27.

I am more than a little peeved off by this as I a) didn't agree to any auto renewal and it should be something you opt into not out-of right? B) I've received no renewal notice or quote from them - was planning to call them to enquire how I get proof of no claims and c) I've signed up a 6 wheel policy with Carol Nash for a much cheaper price.

Does anyone have any experience of auto-renewal? Will I have any trouble when I call them on Monday and politely demand that they credit the charge off my card? Could I have inadvertently agree to this and could there be some contractual conditions they may enforce to try and justify the charge and refuse to refund the money?

Cheers
Mike


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[wessie]

As the new policy has not started you should be able to cancel the auto-renewal and get a refund.

You almost certainly did consent to the auto-renewal as they would need to have your consent on file. It may have just been a checkbox on the form, electronic or paper.

They should have sent you a letter or email detailing the new policy.

Stick with Carole Nash - they have not asked me to consent to auto-renewal and I prefer it that way. However, it was painless to cancel the auto-renewal on my car insurance with Axa as they sent an email and I just logged on to cancel the renewal before going to Direct Line. Devitt are on my list of insurance brokers to avoid.

 

[Posh Pete]

Stick with Carole Nash - they have not asked me to consent to auto-renewal and I prefer it that way. However, it was painless to cancel the auto-renewal on my car insurance with Axa as they sent an email and I just logged on to cancel the renewal before going to Direct Line. Devitt are on my list of insurance brokers to avoid.

I would not bet on that. i had a dispute last year with another CN company. I contacted the insurer re not taking my cash automatically and they cancelled my policy backdating this to the day I took it out! I got a policy with another company (Liverpool Victoria) and then I contacted the broker threatening them with the Ombudsman. I eventually got a cash settlement plus an assurance that they would cover any claims which cropped up during the time I was insured with them.

KM: I suggest you write a stinker of a letter to the Complaints and Compliance Officer of the company and ask them to provide evidence that you consented to an auto deduction as you do not believe that you did so. It will probably be there in the Ts and Cs but you should threaten them with referral to the Fin Services Ombudsman anyway. Write a letter. Do not waste time on endless phone calls!

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

You get a 14 day cooling off period anyway and considering the policy hasn't started what could possibly go wrong?

Check your T&C's

 

[AberdeenAngus]

You don't need to consent, it can be in the small print. I think you should have to actively consent but it doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[steve hughes]

You don't need to consent, it can be in the small print. I think you should have to actively consent but it doesn't seem to be the case.

Agreed to this on all my policies, I ask A, is there an auto renew, B turn it off, in 80% of cases they say yes there is an auto renew, so its pretty common. In all cases they turn it off with no issue, i guess they have to when given a direct instruction.

Im sure when these first came out about 6 years ago the story from the insurer was to "ensure there wasnt a period when you were not insured" nothing to do with sweating price increases out of existing punters!

 

[Kiwi_Mike]

I chop and change both my car and bike policies every year, as I'm sure most people do and I've never actually told the existing insurer that I'm changing companies and not renewing but this is the first time I've been charged for an auto-renew.

Was planning to contact them today but my seven year old daughter broke her leg skiing this morning so instead I'm negotiating with our travel insurance company how to get her home.


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[GADGET]

I thought they all did auto-renewal now, best to opt out at an early stage, I got a refund when it happened to me.