To think automatic car insurance renewal is an utter scam?

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I understand the reason for automatic renewal, but why do some insurers make it such HARD WORK to stop the policy renewing?

I'm sick of having to wait on hold endlessly, getting no replies to emails or "live chat" and then being made to wait another 20 minutes if I do get through on the phone while they "check details" and keep coming back demanding my driving licence number, running through all my details, asking me to tell them what's on my policy and asking about competitors' quotes to see if they can offer a lower price. (But still not as low as their own quote on a comparison site...)

Obviously they're making it as hard as possible so that people give up and just renew, at the offensively inflated "renewal" price. But how is this acceptable? Can anyone recommend an insurer that makes the process simple?

FFS.

I've turned off auto renew. They always tell you how to when you get confirmation email

I've never had this always easy to cancel.

And last 3 years my renewal has beencheaper than elseehere

Thanks for the tip, LovelyJubblee. I need to keep my eyes peeled next time, don't I?

Lazy, who're you with? That sounds like a dream come true.

I've also turned off Auto renew

I also turn it off when I take out the insurance after having the issues you have.

I pay for the year upfront too so don’t many any DD agreements.

But yes it’s sneaky!!

Auto renew is treated the same as a new policy in terms of cancellation. You always have 2 weeks to cancel penalty free.

My automatic renewal was the cheapest I could find this year. It’s normally quite easy to stop them renewing.

My auto-renew was also considerably cheaper than any else I could find, including themselves on price-comparison websites.

Never had any problems if dont want to renew and it stops me accidentally not having insurance.

Just tell them you don't want it, it's usually cheaper elsewhere, than renewing.
They do this hoping you'll forget it's due and to continue with them, they don't want to lose your custom so make it easy for themselves to keep you.

Much better than driving without insurance because your renewal documents had gone missing in the post, or you hadn’t received your renewal email etc.

I’d rather the auto renewal than to have 6 points for driving without insurance. Nothing stopping you opting out each year though.

Do it on-line then you can click to not renew. Mine just came up for renewal, £15 a month dearer, no claims etc, so I went through my bank, Halifax, on line, got a cheaper quote and then saw the insurance broker was the one I'd just cancelled! How does that work?

I have no problem with the principle of automatic renewal. I just think it's appalling how a major insurer makes it so difficult to cancel the renewal by ignoring emails and being permanently busy on the phone line.

Lesson learned, anyway!

I've never had any problem at all cancelling. It's your insurance company, not the concept of auto-renewal.

It could be all too easy to drive uninsured, otherwise. And all too easy for other people to. I wouldn't want to be in an accident with someone who forgot to renew their insurance, nor would I like the fine and points (at minimum) for driving uninsured.

I wouldn't auto-renew for other types of insurance, but for motoring, yes. It makes sense for all parties.

I was bloody grateful for it when I forgot our buildings and contents insurance one year. Had it not been for auto renew, we’d have been uninsured for five months. Not good.

I used to work for a big insurance company and learnt that they charge you more when it auto renews - if you ring up to complain they'll reduce it but many people just accept it. Also the letters were dated but not sent out until way after - meaning people didn't receive them until after the cooling off/cancellation period was over
Once it was mentioned that the customer hadn't received the letter until after and that they weren't happy with the price - it got sorted!

I can’t say I have ever had a problem. Sometimes they ask what your offer was and see if they can match it, others they just say “ok” but I have never encountered any issues

Looks like it's the insurance company, then. Seriously, I've been buying motor insurance for over 20 years but this latest episode has wiped out all memory of decent experiences!

Thanks for the replies - it's heartening to know that this isn't how everyone's doing it now.

I feel your psin OP. I was 40min on Sunday to Hastings trying to cancel my renewal. (sorry 40min to get through and another 15min while she tried to get me a better deal).

Considered giving up and just cancelling the DD at the banks end.

I’m with Admiral and for years, their renewal price was always something mad like hundreds more than last year so we went onto comparison sites and beat them down. I think they expected it.

Since they now have to show last year’s price in the renewal docs and justify why it’s risen, I’ve auto renewed because it’s been about five quid more than last year and couldn’t be beaten.

I never auto renew, I shop for a cheaper deal. I've saved 100+ each year
Also never auto renew any other insurance or break down cover

There is no saving to be made for being loyal

@P1zzavvegg11ee as others have said its not always cheaper