First job is to arrange insurance (with someone else?). You can check to see if you are covered or not at www.askmid.com . If you use someone else, you should dispute any charges that Budget want paying. If they have taken payments, you should try to reverse them through your bank.

I had similar problems with Hastings Direct a couple of years ago but I'm with Budget now. I did ask them not to renew without my specific instructions but I expect that they'll try something similar with me in a couple of months at renewal time so I'm going to put my wishes in a letter just so that it is in writing. It's becoming normal practice for some insurers to behave like this.

My parents are having problems with their ex-insurers.

They took out a policy last year, paid in full with debit/credit card (don't know which). This year, no reminder/renewal arrived, but they suddenly got letter threatening collection agencies for an amount owing of £112.78 - mother rang to query this and was told it was charges because they (Budget) had cancelled her insurance for non payment after they used card details they had kept for a year in order to renew the policy.

She's really worried because (a) she's been driving without insurance, (b) they can't afford it and (c) they are getting nasty letters about it.

What can we do? She got NO renewal, NO notification from the bank that they'd bounced a payment, NO letter to say her insurance was even cancelled.

The policy (when she rang to sort this) had also gone up to £241 from £184 when there have been no claims or anything, and if they go on the website the quote is £185! They have said they will reduce the £112 to £51 if they re-insure with them! Dad told them to take a hike...

Suggestions as to what they can do? I've written a complaint letter for mother to sign and send but what if we have no joy? Or has anyone else had this and knows a good way to get them to cancel this money outstanding?