They said it would take up to 7 working days, I got it within 3 I seem to recall.

They sent a renewal quote through the post as is standard with all policies.

As to me scrutinizing it with a fine tooth comb, it is not something that i would normally do. if the quote is higher or not to my liking, then it goes straight in the bin. I have used admiral many times in the past and never had this issue.

I have got a four week old baby in the house and things have been busy, I am pretty confident that no other "we will tAke the cash and renew" type letter has arrived however

If I had been paying monthly then I could forgive a single monthly payment comming out.

If they are going to take the best part of 2 grand in one fell swoop, them the letter (if it exists) should have big red flashing lights attached.

Out of interest when did your renewal letter come? Just I'm with Admiral too and I know my insurance expires at end of January and not had anything from them yet.

Its a lesson learned, it also niggles me that companies can charge a random "admin fee" for almost anything but will refuse to accept or just totally ignore an "admin fee" that you send to them for your time (yes I've done it), however in this case I'd pay up and walk away, they aren't ever going to get your business again, count that as a bit of payback because insurance companies really do rely on you not questioning their renewals and also rely on recommendation.

Its also a really good reason to pay monthly.

And shop around.

Phone your bank first, they should class it as an unauthorised withdrawal and reimburse your account immediately

I've had an identical problem in the past and the bank were not interested because in fact it was authorised [size=85(see small print).[/size

Really, even if he has agreed to an auto-renewal (which is in Admiral's standard terms)?

My understanding is that the issue of auto-renewal has been looked into and the ombudsman has no real issue with it. In fact, it has been deemed as a useful feature given how many people simple claim to 'forget' to renew their insurance. If it reduces the number of uninsured vehicles on the road (either deliberately or inadvertantly uninsured), then I can't see why the FSA, OFT or MID would oppose it?

Translation: "Don't tell me what I don't want to hear."

I really don't understand why people don't read what they have signed up to. Is it laziness, ignorance or something else?

I've been with Admiral before and the auto-renewal thing isn't exactly hidden under mountains of small print - either when you first take the policy or at renewal. Your renewal will say quite explicitly, "if you want to renew, you don't need to do anything". You didn't do anything and they renewed - I fail to see where the confusion lies?

I would assume that any judge would view auto renewal as something you should opt into rather than opt out of

.....and by agreeing to Admirals terms and conditions you "opt into" auto-renewal.

Indeed but more specifically, under DD rules, they also have to give you a certain amount of notice once the amount of money is known, of how much they'll take, and on what date. I'm assuming that information was given and presumably ignored.

Thanks all

I phoned them this morning and explained that "before we start the complaint has already been registered with the ombudsmen, the money needs to be paid into my account before close of play today, there is a risk that because of your actions i will default on a mortgage payment and I am already bouncing of my overdraft limit".

The money has been paid directly into my account and i can now see it on my on-line portal. I paid no fees and am relatively happy with the outcome.

FWIW though, i have been an admiral customer many times in the past and never experienced an auto renewal. This feature should be opt in/out and they should not be able to authorize a direct debit without my written consent.

Perhaps i have missed this in the policy i received 12 months ago?. But can any of you honestly say they read the small print in every utility bill that comes through the door? I would hazard a guess that the vast majority do not and that is EXACTLY why this type of practice is created in the first place. It has ZERO to do with protecting dozy drivers, who forget to re-insure, it exists purely to extort money out of the populace by massively inflating your premium and catching people who dont spot this in the 14 day limit with admin fee's

I am not a noob when it comes to car insurance and i spend 3-4 months in the run up to renewal ensuring that my premium is the absolute best available. I also scrutinize any policy details regarding hire car, legals, roadside assistance etc. This is easy to do as they are the headline features and not hidden in the small print.

As Jerry C mentioned before it is most defiantly lesson learned, but it also means that Admiral will never get my custom ever again. Shame really because i have been a customer of theirs many times in the past.