Hello
I made the mistake, when I first arrived here, to try to get things in order as quickly as possible. I think I jumped the gun on my housing insurance (never had any such thing back home) and went with comparis.ch's cheapest option, Winterthur AG.

For the two of us, with basic furnishings in a 2.5, my online quote was 220. When I called to sign up, I was given a quote of 300, with the explanation that "things" change.

I don't think we are high risk as we don't really own anything of value, but for a few sticks from Ikea.

Anyway, when we got the bill, it seemed a lot higher, almost 400 plus 120 for, I think personal liability insurance.

I have called them numerous times to understand why the bill was so high. The second time, I was yelled at by the guy handling our case, unheard of in my many years of dealing with services on the phone (no, I was not being a jerk!!!). He said I could go elsewhere and I got the distinct impression it was a mysogyny thing. My husband has been dealing with them since.

We haven't paid our bill because the electronic payment wouldn't accept the amount, stating that it was the wrong one. Our name was spelled wrongly (this was fixed) and everytime we have contacted them, I get a mouthful of stuff that I just don't understand.

I don't know the law here and I don't know their internal policies. I opted to cancel the policy, as I had read somewhere here that you can do so with three months notice. The man today said I can't do that until April 2008!!! I had gotten the insurance in December 2006 for one year, so I don't know why it has jumped to a year and three months?!?!?

So, my question is, should I just give in and try to pay the amounts on the bill, (and try to circumnavigate the epayment error somehow) or is there a why to fight this so I can get away from Winterthur before next April? Am I being swindled or is the amount they quoted me and the policy timeframe they quoted me the norm?

These guys really give me the creeps!


Thanks so much.

Leyla