Bennetts insurance rip off scam

[omega1987]

Bennetts can be beaten

I’ve managed to get a full refund out of bennetts after spending a large amount of time on the phone and internet. They wont make it easy for you but hear are some tips.

You should receive your renewal reminder at least 21 days before your policy is due for renewal.

You are allowed a 21 day cooling of period, however they are entitled to charge you a cancellation fee provided they can prove that you received your renewal reminder.

Be polite but also tell them that you may contact the Financial ombudsman burial and the FSA.

If you’ve had you policy for longer than the 21 day cooling of period then you can copy your new certificate of insurance (assuming you renewed with someone else) and send it to your provider as the new policy will invalidate your old one but they can still charge a cancellation fee.

This is advice accumulated from this any other forums, so thanks to the original posters and anyone with positive comments.

p.s. if you go onto google and type: (“automatic renewal” insurance law) the first webpage that comes up is about bennetts, show’s how prolific bennetts really is.

First of all let me apology’s for restarting this topic

following on from my last post on the 28th october,

On the 28th I was told that I would receive a full refund, however it is now some 28 days since I was told this and so far not a single penny has been paid into my account despite numerous phone calls and letters (I‘ve even sent off my certificate of insurance as requested but not before I photocopied it).



I have pointed out to bennetts that it was illegal to debit my account without sending me a renewal letter at least 21 days prior and it was also illegal to debit my account after I told them not to (I received the certificate of insurance 2 days before I was charged).



I will get a full refund out of bennetts even if I have to undertake legal action, the web is full of pissed off ex bennetts customers (I‘ll post some links below) if it does become a legal issue then I shall start a group lawsuit against bennetts, if anybody out there has recently been charged without receiving a renewal letter and if you’d be interested in legal action then please email me at WTsolutions@mail.com I have spoken to five people who are interested so far.





71 pissed off bennetts customers,

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews64066.html

An entire website dedicated to showing bennetts for what they are;

http://www.beware-bennetts-insurance....uk/index.html

A non motorcycle website explaining the 21 day period get a few comments regarding bennetts.

http://www.ukmoneypot.co.uk/the-14-d...off-period.htm

[chris]

Found this thread while browsing for other stuff. I too had dealings with the thieves from Bennetts. Here is the letter I sent them. I got my money back. Fight them!

MY NAME AND ADDRESS AND POLICY NUMBER REMOVED

==================

MY ADDRESS


Bennetts Insurance
Pegasus House
Bakewell Road
Orton Southgate
Peterborough
PE2 6YS
10th March 2009
Ref (policy number XXXXXX)

Dear Bennetts
I herewith inform you that I have submitted a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Below is a timeline of my dealings with you (known here as “Bennetts”).

1st February 2009 ME takes out motorcycle insurance online and pays by credit card £229.49 (policy number XXXXXX)

10th February 2009 I receive certificates of motor insurance, policy document, but NO key facts document from Bennetts

11th February 2009 After reading the policy document and looking at the policy excess amounts, I decide (clearly within my 14 day statutory cooling off period) that this is not the right policy for me. I post back, by Special Delivery, a letter to this effect, including the certificates of motor insurance. I have made no claim on the policy.

16th February 2009 I receive a letter dated 14th February from Bennetts saying the insurance is cancelled per 12th February. There is no mention of any fees to be paid.

5th March 2009 I receive my credit card bill. On it there is a debit of £229.49 to Bennetts and a credit of £194.46 from Bennetts. This a discrepancy of £35.03

6th March 2009 at 5.40pm I call Bennetts to complain and speak to a customer service lady. She informs me that the £35.03 is made up of £5.03 pro rata usage and a £30 admin fee. She keeps on referring to a Key Facts document, I haven’t even heard of. She doesn’t have a copy herself either and is unable to tell me where on the Bennetts website this document can be found. (I am online as I call her). If this Key Facts document exists or not, is immaterial. Legally, charges must be “fair and reasonable”. I believe them to be unfair, and I know that by any stretch of the imagination, they are wholly unreasonable.

I know a lot about IT systems. For an admin clerk to press a button on a computer screen to cancel a policy, print a letter and put it in an envelope does not cost any organisation £30 in wages/time, unless of course, this clerk is being paid £30 per minute! If they are, can I have a job please?

As you have not dealt with my complaint to my satisfaction, I have been forced to submit a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Furthermore, I will forward a copy of this correspondence to the entire printed motorcycle press and post it on every online forum I can. Customers need to be treated with fairness, not ripped off at the first opportunity.


Yours sincerely,



ME



==================

[AlanH]

For an admin clerk to press a button on a computer screen to cancel a policy, print a letter and put it in an envelope does not cost any organisation £30 in wages/time, unless of course, this clerk is being paid £30 per minute! If they are, can I have a job please?

You could also consider working in a Renault main dealer. Just for fun, I phoned for a quote to do a cambelt and water pump on a SOHC diesel. I was quoted £450 to do the cambelt and an EXTRA £500 to do a water pump at the same time. I did the job myself. Replacing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt took a whole extra 20 minutes. Allowing £50 for the cost of the pump, that puts their charge at £22.50 per minute. Okay, it's not the outstanding £30 per minute that Bennetts charged you, but it's right up there in the rip-off league table

[jasonbc]

Automatic renewals are common-place in the industry. Bikesure / Adrian Flux also offers this but it is clear to the eye on the renewal invitation. Can't miss it.

If you arranged alternative insurance with effect from your renewal date, send Bennetts a copy of the new certificate. Their policy will have to be lapsed / cancelled from the inception of your current policy to avoid duel-insurance. If their renewal cover is lapsed from renewal it is unlikely that they will still charge their fees.

If you need any other advice, just give me a shout.

Phil

I'm dreading my renewal next month with Bikesure / Adrian Flux as i have previous attempted rip off experience with Adrian Flux on my car. I was not over amused with Bikesure when i took the policy last year, as it was not disclosed to me who the under writter was. It may have made me look elsewhere if it was disclosed, but lets wait and see what th enew premium will be but i'm expecting it to double or more going on previous experience with Adrian Flux[/QUOTE]