I have never understood this "If we don't hear from you we will renew" malarky
The basis of contact law is: (1) Offer (2) Acceptance (3) Consideration (exchange of money)

Where is the offer/acceptance? As far as I am concerned you do not have a contract with the insurance company so you owe them nothing.

Also, all financial policies have a 14 day cool off period, so even if you had formed a new contract you could cancel it.

Of course dealing with insurance companies is a complete nightmare, so all of the above becomes null and void when you deal with cretins.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 17:34, 1 reply)

Apparently the FSA reckon it is a good idea
They reckon that it's better that people are occasionally pissed off in this manner than all the people who forget to renew end up uninsured.

However I can't see why they couldn't pair this policy (it's part of the code of conduct for insurance companies) with a requirement that you can cancel at no cost.
(potato123, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 17:57, closed)

^ This. Should be a happy medium.

( BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 21:20, closed)

If you cancel within 14 days of your renewal, there is no cost. After that, cancellation fees apply as per the terms and conditions of your insurance company.

( Wicca'd Witch needs ideas for a new sig on..., Sat 2 Oct 2010, 17:52, closed)