Does someone else want to pay for my home insurance?

Sir, – As renewal time is approaching for my home insurance policy, I received a reminder email from the insurer with a quote embedded. All I had to do to retrieve the quote was pop in an eight-character reference number and my date of birth. This I duly did, to be informed “we are unable to provide your quote” and asked to telephone instead.

I made the call, the agent supplied the relevant information and a further email followed. I totally understand the importance of data protection but in this instance, could anyone explain: why all the palaver for customers to simply receive a renewal figure?

Is there a concern that someone else might access the information and decide to pay the premium for me? Here’s hoping. – Yours, etc,

Frank J Byrne,