Got a call from Linea Directa on friday about our car insurance. Well not about the policy but our bank account!

They had checked it and found it was a close account and they wanted to know why!

A longish conversation then took place with me explaining we had moved to a new bank and that it didn't matter as I always pay the policy via my UK credit card (security purposes) and what right did they have to check MY bank account!

The caller insisted that they needed the account for their records and we had no right to close it without informing them! The insurance doesn't expire until January 12th so I don't know why they are so upset. I told them to call back in December and I would consider their new offer and pay up via credit card or change insurers.

Nothing doing, the caller was perplexed and said I would receive a further call this week from a supervisor who could speak better english

They just don't get it do they?

Just be aware that they might be able to auto renew your insurance if you don't cancel at least two months before renewal. That used to be the case - I don't know if it still is...

Simple solution

Do not insure with a Spanish company

We were with that lot. Moved to MAPFRE, they have an office within walking distance, cheaper, more efficient and far friendlier. We were pestered for ages after we cancelled the other lot.

Linea Directa, for car insurance, have an auto renewal clause, but they have to give you two months notice if they do not intend to renew your policy. If you do not wish to renew, you only have to give 7 days notice.

I imagine that most other car insurance follows this procedure.

House insurance used to be two months by either party, but that was changed in July this year to 2 months for the insurer and one month for the policyholder.

Linea Direct will try it on anyway they can in my experience.

Last time I was with them and left them to renew it automatically, they added on every possible extra, approx an extra 150 euros.

The following year I informed them I was not renewing with them.
My phone hardly stopped ringing with really aggressive calls almost insisting I stayed with them, which eventually bordered on abuse.

Not nice people at all.

Automatically taking money from my account was the reason I insisted on paying via credit card in the first place. They can try and take it but without my authority the UK bank would have to refund the cash.

I can honestly say we've not had a problem with them until this last week. I guess we have to wait and see if anyone does call back. The insurance for the car was on a par with our UK fully comp policy so we had no problem going with them in the first place. But next month I think I'll start investigating other insurers to see if there is a better deal to be had.

I have been with LD for 15 years. Every year they contact me with a new price. Every year I negotiate it down. I am now paying the same premium I was 15 years ago.