Cancel Devitt Insurance the easy way

Overview

Devitt Insurance is a UK insurance intermediary specialising in motorbike insurance and related add-ons. The company arranges policies for bikes, cars, vans and home insurance and offers add-on bundles such as legal expenses and RAC roadside cover.

History and structure

Devitt was founded in 1936 by Howson Foulger Devitt and now operates as DEVITT INSURANCE SERVICES LIMITED under the ownership of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Headquarters are in Romford, United Kingdom.

Key facts

For Devitt's official motorbike product information see Devitt motorbike insurance.

Phone cancellation

1. Call Devitt and state you wish to cancel your policy.
2. Give your policy number and personal details for verification.
3. Ask the agent to confirm the cancellation effective date, the administration fee, and any premium refund due.
4. Request a written confirmation or reference number by email or post.
5. Record the agent name and time of call for your records.

Email cancellation

1. Send an email to [email protected] from the email address on your policy.
2. Include full name, policy number, date you want the cancellation to take effect, and reason for cancellation.
3. Ask specifically for a written confirmation and a breakdown of any refund or charges, including the administration fee.
4. Keep the sent message and any reply for your records.

Post cancellation

1. Write a signed letter with your full name, policy number, requested cancellation date and reason.
2. Send it by recorded delivery to Devitt Insurance, 25 Walbrook, EC4N 8AW London, United Kingdom.
3. Keep the postal receipt and a copy of the letter. Expect longer processing times than phone or email.

Web cancellation

1. Visit Devitt's cancellation pages including Cancelling your motorbike insurance.
2. Follow the on-screen steps to submit a cancellation request or use account messaging where available.
3. Save or screenshot any confirmation provided online.

Cooling-off (14-day statutory right)

Rule - You have a statutory right to cancel within 14 days from the day of purchase or renewal, or the day you receive the policy documents, whichever is later. During this period Devitt will return any premium paid less an administration fee and a charge for days of cover. The administration charge is £30.00 if cancelled within this period. No refund is due if a claim involving total loss was made during the cooling-off period.

Required proof documents - proof of purchase or policy documents showing the start date. Applicable law - Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Cancellation outside the cooling-off period

Rule - You can cancel after the 14-day period. Devitt will calculate the premium for the period insured and allow a rebate in accordance with the policy booklet less an administration fee of £55.00. If the policy was bought via a price comparison website add an additional £20.00 administration charge to any cancellation fee.

Required proof documents - policy number and identity verification. Applicable law - Consumer Rights Act 2015 (service performance and fairness of contract terms).

Cancellation following insurer action for misrepresentation or non-disclosure

Rule - If the insurer cancels the policy because of misrepresentation or non-disclosure, a charge will apply and Devitt may retain premium in line with the policy terms.

Required proof documents - insurer or broker cancellation notice and any evidence requested about the circumstances. Applicable law - not a specific statute in the research; follow the policy terms and the Financial Conduct Authority rules.

Death of the policyholder

Rule - Devitt does not publish a specific public rule about cancellation on death within the live research. For bereavement cases contact Devitt directly and provide certified proof of death to arrange cancellation and a refund calculation.

Required proof documents - grant of probate or certified death certificate and the policy number. Applicable law - not specifically cited in the research.

Change of circumstances - moved or sold vehicle

Rule - Devitt does not publish a specific public clause for moving address or sale of vehicle in the research. Normal insurer practice is to provide a pro rata refund less administration fees when cover no longer applies; Devitt calculates refunds according to the policy booklet and administration fee rules.

Required proof documents - V5 registration document showing sale, new insurance confirmation, proof of address change where requested. Applicable law - Consumer Rights Act 2015 for fair contract terms.

End of commitment

Rule - Motorbike policies are 12-month contracts. At the end of the 12-month term you can choose not to renew. If you cancel before the renewal date the cancellation terms above apply.

Required proof documents - renewal notice or policy schedule. Applicable law - Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 where applicable to renewals concluded off-premises.

Refund of cancellation fees when you replace cover with Devitt

Rule - Devitt offers a refund of cancellation fees if you start a new policy (motorcycle, car, van or home) directly with Devitt within 12 months of the cancellation. The new policy must remain active for at least 30 days. The refund applies only to customers who paid the full cancellation fee and is available by calling Devitt. This offer does not apply to policies bought through price comparison websites.

Required proof documents - new policy number, confirmation that it was purchased directly with Devitt, proof that the new policy was active for 30 days. Applicable law - not a statutory right but a commercial offer published by Devitt; see Devitt cancellation fee refund.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Retention offers - Devitt publishes one retention incentive: a refund of cancellation fees if you take a new policy directly with Devitt within 12 months and keep it active for at least 30 days. To request this refund you must call Devitt and provide the new policy details. There are no other retention offers publicly published in the research.

What cancelling saves you - example calculations

Use these concrete prices from Devitt's published add-on and policy pricing.

• Devitt Enhanced monthly: £5.00. Calculation: £5.00 x 12 = £60.00 per year. (Published annual price £59.99.)
• Devitt Enhanced Plus monthly: £6.66. Calculation: £6.66 x 12 = £79.92 per year. (Published annual price £79.99.)
• Devitt Evolution Plus monthly: £8.33. Calculation: £8.33 x 12 = £99.96 per year. (Published annual price £99.99.)
• Motorbike Insurance (Comprehensive) published from: £120.00 per year.

Example yearly saving - if you cancel a full comprehensive motorbike policy priced at £120.00 per year you save £120.00 in premium. If you cancel the Devitt Enhanced Plus add-on priced at £79.99 per year you save £79.99.

Cheapest real alternative from research - LV= lists an annual equivalent price of £119.00. Comparison math: LV= £119.00 per year versus Devitt comprehensive from £120.00 per year. Verdict: LV= at £119.00 is £1.00 cheaper on the published annual figures.

Consumer law that applies

The statutory 14-day cooling-off period comes from the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 covers performance of the service and unfair contract terms. The FCA regulates insurance distribution in the UK and supervises fair treatment of customers.

What you can do if Devitt refuses a rightful refund

Step 1 - Complain in writing to Devitt and keep a copy of your complaint and replies. Step 2 - If you are not satisfied escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Step 3 - Seek guidance from Citizens Advice; see Citizens Advice - cancelling an insurance policy. For payment card disputes consider a Section 75 claim or a chargeback through your card issuer where applicable.

Regulatory protections

If Devitt or the insurer cannot meet its liabilities some customers may be eligible for compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The CMA has published guidance on auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel subscriptions; if renewal or cancellation terms are unclear this may be raised with the CMA as a potential unfair practice.

Check final billing

Ask Devitt for a final statement that shows the cancellation date, administration fee applied (£30.00 or £55.00), any additional £20.00 fee if bought via a comparison site, and the net refund or balance due.

Data and documentation

Request a copy of any correspondence connected to the cancellation, including confirmation of cancellation and the calculation used to determine any refund. Retain copies for at least 12 months.

Re-activation or replacement cover

If you intend to replace cover with a Devitt policy to reclaim your cancellation fee you must buy the new policy directly from Devitt within 12 months and keep it for at least 30 days, then call Devitt to request the refund as detailed on Devitt cancellation fee refund.

Use this checklist to complete and document your cancellation.

• Find your policy number and purchase date.
• Decide cancellation method: phone, email or post.
• If cancelling within 14 days, note the £30.00 administration fee.
• If cancelling after 14 days, expect a £55.00 administration fee.
• If you bought through a price comparison site add a £20.00 fee to the admin charge.
• Send or request written confirmation of the cancellation and refund breakdown.
• If you plan to switch to Devitt to reclaim the fee, buy directly with Devitt within 12 months and keep the new policy active for 30 days, then call for the refund.
• If you disagree with the outcome, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service and get advice from Citizens Advice.