I need to renew my home insurance - I'm not going to tell you who I'm with, I don't want a repeat of the Everst Double Glazing face when I mentioned them on here and had a call from their head of Public Relations.
The renewal notice came through, it pointed out that I did not actually need to do anything, it was automatic - and I put it to one side with the vague recollection that last year it was quite good value ( but then, I had spent a day ringing round trying to get a cheap quote ). I just looked at it again because I wanted to change it to monthly payment, then pulled out my old policy to compare the cover and realised it had gone up from £225 to £385 - that's about a 70% increase for the same product - with a £5 fee for monthly direct debit payments.
I was about to waste an evening shopping around but decided to confront them instead, after all, every little helps ( see what I did there!! ). I spoke briefly to the girl on the phone, who was very nice - and within 2 mins she had knocked off £80. I asked about monthly payment ( I don't want to go overdrawn ) and she said that there was a 10% surcharge for direct debit payments - I protested that they were robbing me blind for an automated service with no manpower or paperwork involved, but 'that's the way they do it'.
Actually - in the end, I was quite happy with the £300 - which I shall struggle to pay in one go next month so agreed to it - but I suspect most people don't go to all that trouble - pay huge increases and surcharges for direct debits - which is where these fuckers make their MASSIVE profits!!!
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