Protecta Insurance?

[badassbandit]

I know insurance issues have been done to death on here but I need some advice on an issue.
Yesterday when I checked my internet banking I find a direct debit payment which I cannot account for, after I sifted through several months of other payments I found a couple more for the same sum. Anyway when I called the bank to enquire they said the payments were to Protecta insurance, I was thinking this is rather strange as I am now with Swann and haven’t been with Protecta in nearly 6 months.
So I called their customer service up this morning to see why they were still taking my money even though my policy with them had long since expired, the not so polite lady informed me that my policy had been automatically renewed and they could debit whatever amount from my account they deemed reasonable. I ran over the contract and policy with the lady and no where did it state that the policy would auto extend on the completion of its term, also the direct debit form which I had initially signed clearly stated that it was for a set monthly sum each month throughout the policy until the total year’s premium was paid.
Is this sort of thing common?
Do I have any rights here?
Has anyone else been through something similar?

[CookMySock]

I ran over the contract and policy with the lady and no where did it state that the policy would auto extend on the completion of its term

haw haw haw

the direct debit form which I had initially signed clearly stated that it was for a set monthly sum each month throughout the policy until the total year’s premium was paid.

lol haw haw haw

Is this sort of thing common? Do I have any rights here?

Oh YES, son.

Firstly, call them back and TELL them loudly and rudely to reverse the fucking payments right now (feel free to borrow my wording) and if they don't you will take it further. Next take a look at the direct debit form and see which bank it was filed with and call them up, and step through the details on the form, and have them agree with you (on the details) then tell them "but there are still payments being made - reverse these TODAY please."

I love this shit..


DB

[cowboyz]

No. but I hate direct debit with a passion for this reason. I went through several insurance companies and several arguments about how I dont see any reason why they need direct access to my back account. Best of luck sorting it out.

[Ixion]

What he said. I absolutely will NOT agree to a direct debit arrangement. When it goes wrong (not if) it is impossible to rectify. Note the phrasing "they could debit whatever amount from my account they deemed reasonable". For ever. Good luck, but I wouldn't hold hopes of ever seeing your money back.

[Ragingrob]

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe I should pay the sum outright for the insurance I've just agreed to rather than monthly direct debit... Dunno if I'll have the cash right now for it though

[Mike748]

What they said, I'm another who won't agree to direct debit. (I know ... I'm ot being helpfull but ..... my 2c)

Good luck getting your money back.

[CookMySock]

it is impossible to rectify.

Not so!

You have a written contract with the BANK to debit THIS much on THESE DATES. The bank must comply with this. You are due the money reversed, and interest paid. Get angry, and get on the phone and don't be a softcock.

DB

[Ixion]

All very well in theory. Bank is very BIG . You (and I and he) very small. They win.

[cowboyz]

actually. By signing up a direct debit you are (more or less) allowing a 3rd party (the insurance co) an authority on your account. They can (and do) change the ammount and frequency of the payments at will with no further info from you. Very very bad idea and really difficult to get out of.

Not saying that I wouldnt be spitting the dummy at both the insurance co and the bank because I would be very vocal about it but at the end of the day, you gave them permission to do it.

[CookMySock]

All very well in theory. Bank is very BIG . You (and I and he) very small. They win.

The bank CANNOT worm out of a written contract. its the LAW.

Get angry - get on the phone!

DB

[cowboyz]

Hmmm I'm thinking maybe I should pay the sum outright for the insurance I've just agreed to rather than monthly direct debit... Dunno if I'll have the cash right now for it though

If you cant front up with a years fee in one go and they wont let you pay via auto payment then shop around. Even if you have to pay a little more you will be better off not finding yourself in the position of this chap in a year or so's time.

[badassbandit]

Thanks for the reassurance, things got pretty heated when I was on the phone to them this morning I asked to speak to someone of managerial responsibility after getting no where with their customer services lady, she said the case will be passed on to management but I definitely got the drift that she was trying to fob me off hoping id cool off and drop it. I’m rather strong minded and am feeling robbed at the moment so will pay their head office a visit early next week if things aren’t better by then.

[Ragingrob]

If you cant front up with a years fee in one go and they wont let you pay via auto payment then shop around. Even if you have to pay a little more you will be better off not finding yourself in the position of this chap in a year or so's time.

Is auto payment something different to letting them taking it from bank? Is it setting up my own auto bank deposit each month rather than them handling it?

[cowboyz]

If you werent so honest you could mark your bike in a place not easily noticed, preferrably on the frame, and tell them you want it fixed. or just write the bike off completely and take the payout.

[Ixion]

The bank CANNOT worm out of a written contract. its the LAW.



DB

It is one of the most fundamental principles of our society that laws are written by the rich, for the benefit of the rich, at the expense of the poor. Banks are rich. We (most of us anyway) are poor. The law is there to help them, not us.