Insurance refund error

hooch-85

Basically I changed policies recently from Setanta to Axa (through my broker) as Setanta wanted over 550 extra to change from my 320cd to my GTi.

So I cancelled policies and changed to Axa. Last week I got two cheques in the post from the broker for 180 and 233. The cover letter for both said they were refunds in relation to my cancelled policy.

Happy days says I! Lodged the cheques and all but spent the money on parts for the GTi.

Today I get a call saying the refund for 233 was in error and that I have to pay it back as it was owed to the finance company who they outsource their direct debit payment scheme to. I told them to politely feck off that it was there error and the money was gone.

Anyone know where I stand or will I have to pay it back. Reading similar threads from abroad people were saying I could get black listed for insurance if I don't. Bit of a sickener seen as it was all their own cock up.

peteb2

Same as a bank transferring money to you in error. Its not yours. You knew it wasn't yours. You're obliged to pay it back.

spodoinkle

hooch-85 wrote: »

Basically I changed policies recently from Setanta to Axa (through my broker) as Setanta wanted over 550 extra to change from my 320cd to my GTi.

So I cancelled policies and changed to Axa. Last week I got two cheques in the post from the broker for 180 and 233. The cover letter for both said they were refunds in relation to my cancelled policy.

Happy days says I! Lodged the cheques and all but spent the money on parts for the GTi.

Today I get a call saying the refund for 233 was in error and that I have to pay it back as it was owed to the finance company who they outsource their direct debit payment scheme to. I told them to politely feck off that it was there error and the money was gone.

Anyone know where I stand or will I have to pay it back. Reading similar threads from abroad people were saying I could get black listed for insurance if I don't. Bit of a sickener seen as it was all their own cock up.

You wont get blacklisted for insurance by this.

hooch-85

peteb2 wrote: »

Same as a bank transferring money to you in error. Its not yours. You knew it wasn't yours. You're obliged to pay it back.

I didn't know it wasn't mine, that's the thing the exact wording of the cover letter sent with the cheques is:

"We refer to the above policy which was recently cancelled and attach herewith our refund cheque in the sum of XX"

mickdw

It was never your money. Give it back at your own convenience I would say. One way or another you wont be able to keep.

hooch-85

mickdw wrote: »

It was never your money. Give it back at your own convenience I would say. One way or another you wont be able to keep.

Ya my thoughts are the same, ill probably repay it in installments.

I was all but accused of theft on the phone today. Not a nice way to be treated for something that was their error.

I will pay it back but for arguments sake I didn't, do you think they'd take a civil case over €233? They wont even contest with claims unless they are over a certain amount, they just pay out.

corktina

yeah you did know....you knew you only cancelled one policy, how would you get back two cheques....? You'll have to repay it, there could be repercussions..

Anan1

hooch-85 wrote: »

Ya my thoughts are the same, ill probably repay it in installments.

I was all but accused of theft on the phone today. Not a nice way to be treated for something that was their error.

I will pay it back but for arguments sake I didn't, do you think they'd take a civil case over €233? They wont even contest with claims unless they are over a certain amount, they just pay out.

Ask yourself how you'd like to be treated if you'd paid them too much by mistake.

mgbgt1978

Isn't it funny how they managed to pick the higher figure as the mistake ?

Also why would they send a cheque (for one particular case) to some finance company who looks after their Direct Debits....surely this would be done electronically (or very possibly maybe, by cheque) at the end of each month where they would bundle all of their cancellations together.

OP, it's up to yourself, but until you are actually listed in Stubb's Gazette or due in court then you really don't have a problem.

mgbgt1978

Anan1 wrote: »

Ask yourself how you'd like to be treated if you'd paid them too much by mistake.

Seriously Anan , do you really believe the OP would send two cheques, for two different amounts, to his insurance company even though he was aware how much his renewal was costing ???

Anan1

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Seriously Anan , do you really believe the OP would send two cheques, for two different amounts, to his insurance company even though he was aware how much his renewal was costing ???

Use your head, what I said isn't that complicated.

mgbgt1978

But the OP hasn't paid anyone too much by mistake.
His ex insurers are claiming that they have.
Why should he have to ponder about something that hasn't happened ,and is extremely unlikely to occur ?