This is such a pain, they are trying it on again. I went through the complaints process with a letter to their head office in Andover and a letter to the Financial Ombudsman. The Ombudsman then communicated with Be Wiser. Eventually Be Wiser climbed down and apologised and fully refunded my son. Unfortunately I've deleted the letters I sent but you must go through the complaints process - don't let them get away with it.

Hi there letsdothis. I fully understand your fury but it's their policies which they need to look at so their staff don't get an ear bashing. Would appreciate the name of the contact in the meantime. I am EDIT Personal data removed

Thank you Uncle Bulgaria. We will go through the complaints process - letter already written ready for the post to the Complaints Dept. at Be Wiser, Andover. Further car insurance bought today so we are poorer by another £457 and I am aware that some people would not be able to afford to pay for two policies in such a short space of time. Thanks again for your advice.

The same thing has happened to my son. Although he filled in two online applications with Go Compare and then Be Wiser, stating he had 0 years No Claims and also confirmed by telephone to Be Wiser, he later received a letter asking to send documents to confirm his 9 years No Claims which he thought must be a mistake. There followed two letters which had Urgent - Registered Letter - but neither were sent by Registered Post and because of his work commitments were not opened until later. Be Wiser then cancelled the policy without his knowledge, and have kept the £430 monies paid so far leaving him without car insurance and without money for alternative cover. He has been told via telephone today, that the Be Wiser computer automatically assumes that someone who has held a driving licence for 9 years has automatically 9 years No Claims Bonus - despite the fact that he correctly filled in two online application forms stating otherwise and also confirming via the telephone. So they basically cancelled his policy due to their own computer assuming something which he categorically stated 3 times was not so. Now they want to dip into his initial payment to charge for cancellation. We are not impressed and it smacks of incompetency on the part of Be Wiser. Not wise at all - in fact it seems a decidedly dodgy policy of theirs to assume anything and smacks of incompetency and dishonesty. Stitched up like a kipper is a good description, nice little earner.