This is posted by way of a warning to anyone tempted to take out home insurance from Swinton Insurance company... Let the buyer beware! The facts are as follows. Basically having agreed a quotation and set up a direct debit account I was astonished to read the 'small print' in their terms and conditions when it arrived through the post.By way of summary - their were several points of concern. The fact that they feel it necessary to levy a hefty 32.1 percent interes rate on the premium due to my having taken the direct debit payment option is extremely unfair. Every other company with which I have ever dealt sees this as a plus because they are automatically guaranteed regular payments and it is actually considered to be a cause for discount with Utility companies because it is less expensive for them... however contrary to everyone elses opinion Swintons clearly view it as a liability! Not only that but their contract also reserves the right for them to increase it as they deem necessary without any explanation or recourse... Hmmm very open ended - and clearly open to abuse. You may as well give them a blank cheque! It also was not good consumer relations on the part of the form where you are required to put your signature as a...'debtor'. Quote unquote. How quaint!! This is more than a little insulting for someone who is giving them their business in a competitive market place in order for them to make a profit from you... Such a strange definition of a debtor - I cannot recall seeing that on Wikipedia! The inclusion of a £12 cancellation fee also being included before the agreement is even signed is a I feel a matter for the FSA. I appreciate that a verbal agreement of a sort was made by telephone but that still does not obligate anyone to sign such a biased and contractually unfair document when it finally arrives. Which is what I have decided not to do and I will be cancelling my direct debit ASAP. I await Swintons response however my impression of them is less than favourable to say the least so a fair or positive response is not expected. My business will be taken elsewhere - preferably to a company that is grounded in the 21st Century not the Victorian era!
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