The Sedgwick Paper.

Last year as a gift someone paid for my car insurance in full. It was certainly an unusual gift but I was very grateful for it. This year I was to pay for my own car insurance. The day before the year was up, I rang the Company and I spoke to a man called Ian. I explained about last year, and said, “I have received an email for my £600 bill, but I am unable to pay £600 as I don’t have that kind of money in my bank account, I am phoning to set up a direct debit with you instead.”

The Sales Assistant then said something very odd, that I’d not heard before or since, “Before I can set up the direct debit, I will need to take out the £600 from your account and then I will put it back in within the hour.” I was more than alarmed, and said to him, “I don’t have £600, if you take that out, you will put us in hardship,” The Sales Assistant then said, “This is the only way I can do it, and then I will be able to set up the direct debit for you.” Again, I asked him, “But why do you have to take it out?” I was confused and very annoyed, he said, “This is how it has to be, but the money will be back into your account within one hour, if it isn’t just phone us up and your £600 will be returned to you.” I had really loved the Company; it was found by a work mate who had found them on-line and they were much cheaper than the one I had found. Everything they did was on line. So, against my better judgment, I decided to renew with them for another year, but I decided, that next year I would not renew with them! I was not happy at all. In hindsight, I should have ended the phone call and looked elsewhere.

Ian took the £600 out my bank account and I didn’t know if I was in the red or over my small overdraft as I don’t have internet banking and the odd time I went to the bank the queues were so long, I had no intention of going again anytime soon. It really stressed me out. The direct debit was set up and I ended the call wondering if I’d paid twice for my car insurance.

A week later, I did venture out to the bank I was ninety minutes in the queue, now that’s an argument for on-line banking, if ever there was one. I asked the bank staff, “Please can you tell me, did Sedgwick Paper, take out £600 from my account and put it back within the hour?” She was looking at my account Infront of her, and she said, “They did take out £600 from your account but they did not put it back in.” I said to her, “Oh my goodness,” I was devastated, and she added, “You need to phone them today,” I said, “I will,” I was thinking what proof would I have that they now owe me £600, would they believe me?” I asked for a statement. And I also asked, “Can I speak to a Sales Person to set me up with internet banking on a new account?” I was informed, “New accounts are not been set up at this time,” But my details were taken and I was informed, “Lois High, would ring you tomorrow at 10am, is that time OK with you?” I said, “Yes, that’ll be fine.”

Lois rang me at 10am sharp, after some checks to make sure I was Grace, I told her about the bizarre, but destressing encounter I had had last week with the car insurance company. Lois said, “I’ve never heard of any company doing that before.” I will Google it before we end this call to see if I can see why this company or any other company would do such a thing.”

So, before we ended the call, Lois said, “I have looked on line and asked my Manager and we don’t know why he took the £600 out of your account and put it back again, but I can see that he did put it back in so the company don’t owe you “£600,” I said, “Are you sure?” He said, “Yes,” And then as I looked at my statement, I too could see that the £600 was put back in. Lois said to me, “You need to ring the company and ask them why did he take out all that money when you asked them not to? And please ring me and tell me, as I’m intrigued, personally I think he has done that to make it look like he has made a Sale.” I said to Lois, I’m inclined, to think that’s probably it.”

I rang the company and spoke to Anthony, I told him all that had happened and he said, “I am so very sorry, I can not think why one of our Sales Person would do that,” I am going to open an investigation, as this is a serious matter,” I said to Anthony, “Is all your calls recorded?” He said, “Yes,” I said, “Then you will hear me pleading with him not to do it!” I said, to Anthony, I think it’s something to do with theft and I was planning on leaving next year and not renewing, but now that you have decided to open an investigation, I am impressed.” Finally, I said, “I think he has done this before,” Anthony said, “I don’t know, but I will get to the bottom of this.”

I said, “Thank you.”