hi all, hic motor insurance

[-stan-]

hi all,

don't know what to do, don't know if you could advise,

 

my insurance was due on 7/7/13 had a letter before saying it was going to happen automatically and I would receive documents after payment auto taken from bank, received them today but apparently they were sent last week, because I have limited mileage (5000) I have a deadline to send it back so I rang to explain I have just received it, that was ok I could just tell them over the phone,

 

but they also asked about any change in circumstances and I told them I was now temporarily unemployed and they said they would have to cancel my policy they could not offer any insurance and they would charge me £30 admin and £9.88 for 7 days from today insurance.

 

surely I should not be punished and charged for my unfortunate circumstance

Edited July 12, 2013 by citizenB
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[citizenB]

!!! They cancelled your insurance because you are temporarily unemployed and want to charge you an admin fee ?

[-stan-]

yes that is correct citizenB

[citizenB]

Hmm, I have alerted others on the site team for you. Hopefully they will look in as soon as they can.

[-stan-]

thank you, I also think it is morally wrong but would like to know how I legally stand

[unclebulgaria67]

Unfortunately Insurers are correct. If you advise them of a change of circumstances after the renewal date and they cannot continue the policy, they can charge you a time on risk, plus any cancellation fee. But if you kick up a stink and advise that you would like a complaint to be registered, as you want the FOS to take a look at this, they may just be willing to write off the £30 admin fee.

 

That is what you should do. Unfortunately Car Insurers and Home Insurers don't tend to like unemployed people because they 'apparently' have statistics which show a higher level of claims. Personally I think this is a load of nonsense, it is just a long running belief that unemployed people are more likely to submit fraudulent claims, because in desperate times, people do desperate things. Surprised that they still get away with this and this has not gone to the EU to be looked at.

[-stan-]

thanks unclebulgaria67, I contacted fos and they are writing a complaint to hic insurance on my behalf...but I still have to go through the whole procedure of getting motor insurance...so much for loyalty...if your unfortunate enough to become unemployed your screwed your no longer insured and when you tell them they will cancel your insurance and charge you for the privilege.