RIAS Insurance

[Snoopy]

This company RIAS keep sending me letters saying they can save me money of my household insurance. They "specialise" in the over 50s so I qualify, presumably, to be pestered for the rest of my days.
Toady I had another letter from them in which they demonstrated the savings I might be able to save if I switched to their cover. Well amongst the usual suspects they mentioned that I could save ?294.69 should I happen to insure currently through Liverpool Victoria. Feeling skittish and since they had provided a free 'phone number I thought I'd have a bit of fun so I rang them. Having got through the usual "for security etc" nonsense the following conversation took place:
Me "I see you say you can save me ?294.69.
Her "Yes sir , we can save you that much if you insure with Liverpool Victoria"
Me "Good then you can sign me up right now .... when do I get my cheque?"
Her "What cheque"
Me "The cheque for the difference between the ?175 I am currently paying each year to Liverpool Victoria and the ?294.69 you can save me.
Her "Errrrr ~ I don't think you understand sir"
Me "Oh yes I do ~ are you telling me that you cannot save me the money your letter promised then? ...... Let me speak to a supervisor"
Her "One moment sir"
Some minutes later (They are still paying for the call)
Supervisor "What is your query sir?"
Me "You wrote to me saying that if I was currently insured with Liverpool Victoria you would save me ?294.69. I am insured with Liverpool Victoria and currently my premium is ?175 so the only way you can save me that amount of money is to give me free insurance cover and a cheque for the difference which is ?119.69 ~ so if I sign up with you today when will I get the cheque?"
Supervisor "That's not how it works sir"
Me "So basically you are sending out letters that are baltant lies"
Supervisor "Uhm"
Me "I think you had better talk to your manager dear"

Ok Ok I shouldn't have done it to them but if they will work for such companies they deserve all they get.

[Misunderstood]

Someone around here has too much time on their hands...

I am having similar problems with Saga.  Because I once insured with them They seem to have gained the impression that I signed indentures with the company.

I am still waiting for the ?108 refund due from the motability insurance they promised me.... 

[Snoopy]

One problem seems to be that although the law says you can sign up with Mail Preference Whoever and that stops unwanted mail. The get out for these companies is that the law also says they may contact customer, ex-customers or anyone who has shown an interest in their products. Showing an interest is one thing but failing to notice a tiny little tick box to opt out is annoying. I always say "But I deliberately did not tick the box to say I was interested in related products" and they reply "Oh that box is to be ticked if you don't want us to contact you" So I tick the next one and it turns out to be the exact opposite. The only way to stop any of them seems to be a stern letter of complaint to the CEO or MD.

[Misunderstood]

I have just got another quote from Churchill saying they will GUARANTEE to save me money by choosing them because they are the cheapest!

Saga say exactly the same. So does most every other mail shot poked through my letterbox.

Now they plainly can't ALL be the cheapest, so how come I am not making money from insuring my car?
Maybe it's time to consider a class action under the Trades Description Act as all of them (except one) are lying.

Same goes for Bank and Credit Card rates quotes, Loans and Mortgages - I'm sure you get my drift...

[Barman]

I?m guessing that if you switch to them they will charge you a minimum of 1p less than the quote that they require you to present. 

Theoretically, if you went round in a loop getting quotes at 1p less each time you would reach the point where one of them would be at or below cost and would have to turn you down.

Hard work tho?