First I would like to say hello to everyone .

Help and advice needed please. December 2008 I insured my car as a taxi with Swinton as I intended to work as a taxi driver. It didn’t work out for me couldn’t get any work as a result I couldn’t afford the monthly instalment for the insurance (£117.00 a month)

May 2009 I phoned Swinton to cancel my insurance I was told to put it in writing and send to them with the cover note. So that’s what I did. A few days later I received a phone call from Swinton to say that you haven’t sent the cover note I told her I did. After a bit of a disagreement she said not to worry I’ll send you a form to sign and send back saying you haven’t got the cover not. I signed the form and sent it back, I also cancelled the direct debit with my bank.

10th August 3 months later I received a letter for swinton demanding £584.00 so I phoned them and they said it’s because they haven’t received the cover note or a signed forum to say you haven’t got the cover note. I told him I sent both he said all I can do is to send anther forum for you to sign and date it for 15th may and they will probably right it off. So that’s what I did.

21st August I received a letter to say that I owe them £584.00 and it has been passed onto a debt collector. So I phoned them and was told that Tradx (Tradex being the insurer) no longer except disclaimer (the form you sign to say you haven’t got the cover note) I asked her if it wasn’t the insurance cover note I sent in the first place what was it she said it was the schedule. I know I sent the schedule cover note and a letter of cancelation .I wasn’t getting anywhere with her so I got off the phone and called them back so I would get someone ells. I asked for a copy of the papers that I sent with the first letter she said their records only show that a letter was sent no documents. That contradict what was previously said. Any advice please.

Stop dealing on the phone until you have installed a recorder. They will deny things which they say on the phone and you will have no evidence.

Lay out your entire position in writing and send it to them recorded delivery and also by fax.

Begin a complaint and tell them that you want the matter to go the Ombudsman.

Keep copies of everything and record everything. Get a Truecall

Thanks for your reply Bankfodder

I’m sorry if this sounds like a stupid question. Do you mean by laying out your position. what I have wrote in my post on here but as a complaint.

Get a Truecall

or RecTel: Call Recording Service

First I would like to say hello to everyone .

Help and advice needed please. December 2008 I insured my car as a taxi with Swinton as I intended to work as a taxi driver. It didn’t work out for me couldn’t get any work as a result I couldn’t afford the monthly instalment for the insurance (£117.00 a month)

May 2009 I phoned Swinton to cancel my insurance I was told to put it in writing and send to them with the cover note. So that’s what I did. A few days later I received a phone call from Swinton to say that you haven’t sent the cover note I told her I did. After a bit of a disagreement she said not to worry I’ll send you a form to sign and send back saying you haven’t got the cover not. I signed the form and sent it back, I also cancelled the direct debit with my bank.

10th August 3 months later I received a letter for swinton demanding £584.00 so I phoned them and they said it’s because they haven’t received the cover note or a signed forum to say you haven’t got the cover note. I told him I sent both he said all I can do is to send anther forum for you to sign and date it for 15th may and they will probably right it off. So that’s what I did.

21st August I received a letter to say that I owe them £584.00 and it has been passed onto a debt collector. So I phoned them and was told that Tradx (Tradex being the insurer) no longer except disclaimer (the form you sign to say you haven’t got the cover note) I asked her if it wasn’t the insurance cover note I sent in the first place what was it she said it was the schedule. I know I sent the schedule cover note and a letter of cancelation .I wasn’t getting anywhere with her so I got off the phone and called them back so I would get someone ells. I asked for a copy of the papers that I sent with the first letter she said their records only show that a letter was sent no documents. That contradict what was previously said. Any advice please.

Put everything in writing, and also make copies of the letters you send and they send you.

Cancel your direct debit with them.

Write to them and state that if they attempt any collection from your bank account. This will be a breach of the OFT 2003 guidance on debt collection (unfair business practices)

and could also be breaching codes of practice to which they are subscribed. It should be suspended because you are disputing it.

Ask for their complaints procedure then go to the Ombudsman.

I have also complained to Swinton about cancellation charges. You can find their complaints procedure on their website.

Write to head office at Manchester as per their procedure, by recorded delivery as stated above. They should reply within 2 weeks. They should call off their debt collectors whilst you are going through their complaints procedure but they probably won't. They didn't when I complained. Just refuse to speak to debt collectors and keep the letters you receive from them.

They backed off and wrote off debt when I complained - didn't apologise though. Their arrogance is unbelievable. I hate this company.

If they don't write it off complain to Ombudsman as above. Suspect they will though - seem to remember someone on here saying their cancellation charge is against FSA rules but not 100% sure about that.

If they do write it off you should complain to FSA anyway - there are too many posts like this about Swinton - they need to learn their lesson.

If you can't find complaints procedure let me know and I'll post the address for you tomorrow.

Good luck

Jan