"BUDGET" People insurance cock up

HSBCrusher · 12th October 2006, 21:28

Quick story.

One month ago I had a car accident, just a few days after taking out new insurance.
Condition of insurance is that there is a thatcham cat 1 alarm system fitted.
There is such an alarm firtted, copy of certificate sent off.
Letter arrives today, they have cancelled the insurance because there is not an alarm fitted.
I ring up to find out why.
There is nothing on the certificate saying that its category one, and the alarm model isnt listed with thatcham.
I have rung cobra (maker of said alarm) it is listed, there is even a thatcham number for it.
Thatcham says that it isnt.
It turns out that the alarm comes under 2 names, and on the book it gives it under both.
I gave my insurance company the number for cobra.

This has taken about 5 hours on the phone.

OK, I get home, and take a closer look at my documents (had no access to them at work) and indeed the alarm is a thatcham one.

So, I ring up the insurance.
They have now agreed this is a thatcham alarm.
As the policy has now been cancelled, it cannot be reinstated, I have to take out a new policy.
The quote was now £150 more than it was before, because now I am showing an accident.
I told them that there was no way I was paying that as it was a cock up from them. They agreed to stick to the old quote, so now I am insured again.

Now, this is the big problem.
The policy has a claim, therefore no refund is due to the old policy. This leaves me £400 out of pocket!

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

So, I cant get any further with the phone line, they wont pass me on to anybody else.
They cock up, I am £400 out of pocket.

I really dont need this!!!!!!!!

callumsgran · 12th October 2006, 22:09

WTF? what difference does it make to the claim whether or not you had an alarm fitted and what type?
Why are you out of pocket by £400?

HSBCrusher · 12th October 2006, 22:17

The car has to have cat 1 as a condition of the insurance.
I provided that evedence.
They cocked up big time, couldnt read the certificate properly, thought it wasnt valid.
They cancel policy.
I dont get refund of rest of money because of claim a few weeks ago.
So, I have had one month of cover for £400, as I have to take out a new policy!

bearo · 13th October 2006, 09:37

but surely, as at the moment (persuming its a non fault accident) it is showng up as your fault as it hasnt been settled and once it is settled they refund you? Or am I wrong here?

rdm2006 · 13th October 2006, 18:28

sounds like a letter to the ombudsman to me

HSBCrusher · 13th October 2006, 18:31

me too.

this is absolutley rediculous.

mooreda · 13th October 2006, 20:03

i don't think this is right at all - I reside in Peterborough and Budget's Head Office is about a 5 minute drive away. To be honest Budget does not have a good reputation when it comes to insurance and indeed as an employer. They are alway's loosing staff and have regular recruitment drives. I have spoken to several friends who used to work for the company and they have quoted how bad they really are! If I were you I would phone them again and tell them you want to make a complaint and that you will be escalating the matter to the Ombudsman. Your complaint should be acknowledged and dealt with within 5 days. If they can't deal with it within 5 days they ultimately have 8 weeks to deal with it. Once you receive a final response on behalf of the Chief Executive you can take it further to the FOS if you are still unhappy.

Robertxc · 13th October 2006, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdm2006

sounds like a letter to the ombudsman to me

Ditto.

HSBCrusher · 13th October 2006, 21:09

The woman on the phone really hacked me off... "sorry, there is nothing I can do, I cant refund you" and eventually refused to speak to me any further.....

Robertxc · 13th October 2006, 21:22

Insurance companies have only recently come under the umbrella of the FSA, so they're all a bit nervous about it. I reckon if you make a big enough fuss to the various regulators you'll be able to get it sorted.

I have to say, that if this were me, I would have them straight up to the small claims court for £400 - very safe in the knowledge that they'll settle straight away. One tactic I've used very successfully on many occassions is to send tham and LBA with completed copy of the court documents included. Tell them that you'll be submitting it on a specific date if they don't cough up. Big companies often rely on the fact that many people threaten to sue them, but then don't. The fact that you'll be including the completed claim forms means that they'll know that all you have to do is send them to the court. Just a suggestion.

The Iron Lady · 17th October 2006, 00:04

I have only just come across the insurance side of this forum. I've been looking elsewhere. I have had real problems with Budget. Found them on an internet trawl for cheap insurance. Never again. Wish I'd found this site sooner.

HSBCrusher · 17th October 2006, 00:44

They are awful.
Utterly crap service.
I suppose I will have to "crush" them too....

The Iron Lady · 18th October 2006, 02:07

Well after that guess what I got in the mail this morning? A letter from Budget. Having cancelled my insurance with them verbally and i

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