INSURANCE companies must be among the worst culprits in the great British rip-off.

After receiving a quote for the renewal of my existing insurance policy, I rang the company to cancel on the basis that I thought it too high.

In less than a couple of minutes, I received a return call from the same company, informing me that I could have the self same policy for £50 less.

What I would like to know is, why was I not offered that quote in the first place?

This is not just a one-off occasion. Talk to anyone about car or home insurance and most people suffer the same approach.

These companies, must be making millions a year out of trusting folk who pay by direct debit and don’t bother to check.

T Seale, Middlesbrough.