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The consumer group, which is running a “stop sneaky fees and charges” campaign, found that the admin fees used by car insurance providers can vary widely, with some charging double the average for certain costs.
Of the 44 insurers Which? looked at between May and August, it found that five did not have any adjustment fees for changing details such as a name or address, while others charged up to £35. The average fee for this was £22.79, Which? found.
Previous Which? research found that two-thirds (68%) of consumers thought companies used separate fees to trick people into thinking the product or service was cheaper than it was.
Which? is urging companies to set out all fees and charges clearly so consumers can easily compare between providers.
Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “We’ve found some insurers charging customers eye-watering admin fees that can be hard to avoid, and people often don’t know what they are actually paying for. We want companies to ensure their fees reflect actual costs.”
“Customers should always read their policy documents carefully and speak to their insurer or broker if they have any questions about any charges for making changes to a policy or for cancelling it. In accordance with the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and relevant legislation, the fees insurers charge must be clearly and fully set out and broadly reflect the costs they incur.”
See Full Story at belfasttelegraph.co.uk
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