A strange note with my Barclays car ins renewal

[indebtstudent]

Under the heading notice to policy holders (which is mostly garbage). there is one paragraph that seems unusual and I have certainly not seena company go this far before.

"I/We agree that you and other members of the Barclays Group and thier agents will inform me/us (by letter, telephone (including automated dialling and SMS texting), computer or email) about products and services (including those of other carefully selected organisations) which may be of interest to me/us. If I/we do not wish to recieve details of pdoructs and services I/we will write to Barclays Motor Insurance. PO Box 7463, Perth, PH2 0YX quoting my/our policy number and stating whether I/we wish to opt out of recieving informaiton by mail, telephone or any other means"

This seems like a bit of a hoop to jump through just to aovid marketing mail, there is normally just a box to tick or untick. If I can find a comparable quote I'll be changing companies for this reason. Why the heck shold I send a letter to "opt out" of them sending me stuff I don't want?

Can they do this? Take no comment as a sign that you WANT to recieve marketting information?

[xrchris]

I have seen both the example used by Barclays and the 'tick box' employed by various insurers and direct writers etc. It isnt that unusual.

[benjee]

Barclays motor insurance is underwritten by Norwich Union (the address you mention in Perth is the centre that deals with it) and when you call them the recorded message says similair. All you need to do is tell the advisor you dont want marketing information etc.

Its basically a way for them to give you information of other products that may be of interest to you from Aviva or Barclays.
With all the kerfuffle of unsolicited mail/marketing calls these days, Companies give you the option of opting in or out of such mailings.

The tick box isnt included as they are a direct centre, so you dont have forms to fill out and return to them. (unless you complete insurance online).

[indebtstudent]

It doesn't list a telephone number though it says if I want to opt out I will write to such and such an address. I'm not going to renew with them anyway as my brain has just reminded me (out of the blue) that Barclays was the focus of the Whistleblower program!

Sometimes it scares me how silly I can be!!! I've found a cheaper quote but even if I hadn't I would pay a bit more for a company which I don't think treats its customers with disdain.

[demon_x_slash]

Err...I thought that it was now mandatory that marketing things like this have 'Opt-IN' boxes, where you have to specifically agree to receiving these communications..I shall go and ferret around...

[demon_x_slash]

Hmm, almost, not quite. Damn: Prior consent does not mean opt-in | The Register

[indebtstudent]

But that doesn't address my specific situation - if you don't want to recieve this you must part with the cost of a stamp.

Glad I'm going elsewhere anyway!

[Trojan1401]

Just a thought, they already have your info so no doubt they will send you stuff anyway.

I would write to them but don't put a stamp on the envelope ! Let them pay

[xrchris]

Thats exactly what i was thinking Trojan, I suppose the OP could ask for the email address of the data protection officer when next in hie local branch. Seems a lot of trouble to save the cost of a stamp though.

[demon_x_slash]

It's the principle of the thing