Car Insurance - Change Of Address

[Cannedgranny]

Is it normal practice to be charged £25 for advising your insurer that you have a change of address?

[bednobs]

probably - the new address will have a different risk

[factor-fiction]

And most include an admin fee for mid-term changes. The details of charges should be listed in the policy Ts and Cs

[boxtops]

Yes, now I think about it - when I moved several years back, the risk in the new area was greater, so there was an additional pro rata premium due. However, if it's just an admin charge for changing your records, then that's a new one on me.

[Blackiequine]

Is it not an "admin fee"

[Prudie]

I'm not sure about change of address per se but your premium can go up or down depending on their associated risk with your new postcode.

[factor-fiction]

I think as an admin charge they'd probably find it difficult to justify that level of charge. The cost to them is probably less than £10. But if such charges are excessive they shouldn't be surprised if people shop around at renewal time

[Cannedgranny]

Thanks for the replies. However, I would think that we have moved to a safer area....... It's only a one off so will get over it I suppose.

[dzug2]

It's normal with many insurers to be charged an admin fee for just about any change.

And (unless I'm confusing it with something else) I've seen somewhere that £25 is well within the limits that the industry regulator is prepared to tolerate

[SirOracle]

Are you sure that it is your Insurer who is making this charge and not your Broker ?

[ABerrant]

Yes, it is normal practice.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/insurance/9204592/Fees-charged-by-insurers-for-policy-changes-and-cancellations-condemned-by-consumer-watchdog.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zkz1k/features/insurance-admin-fees

[EvianBaby]

Just because you feel it's a safer area it doesn't mean your insurers agree. For all you know there may have been a spate of car crime in your new street last year.

[Bazile]

Car insurance can increase / decrease for any number of reasons .

e.g - When i was talking to a chappie from an insurer who was checking my application , i mentioned that my car would be kept on the road instead of on the drive - expecting the premium to increase .
In fact the premium was less , to leave it parked on the road .

This was because the insurer had received an incresae in claims from people pranging their cars on gate posts / walls , whils't reversing off their drives .

[frugalfred]

e.g. http://www.rias.co.uk/current-customers/amending-your-policy/

[geno500]

This is getting the norm now as insurers try to earn some extra money that is why you should always use a comparison site and choose the cheapest,they all charge for address changes,number plate changes,changing you car,for all I know they charge you if you have a sex change as well,buy the cheapest and then if you have to pay it will not hurt so much