How to Cancel 123.ie: Easy Method

What is 123.ie

123.ieis an Irish insurance intermediary and insurer brand offering a range of personal insurance products for the Irish market, including motor, home, van, travel, health, landlord and life cover. The brand positions itself as a direct-to-consumer provider with packaged policy options designed for private individuals, younger drivers and specific travel needs. The product set is structured around distinct policy categories rather than subscription tiers, with product pages and customer-care documentation describing cooling-off rights, mid-term cancellation charges and requirements related to policy documents such as certificates and discs.

plans and product structure

The available product groups on the official site include: car insurance, home insurance, van insurance, travel insurance, health cover, young driver products branded 123GO, landlord insurance and life policies. Each product group has its own terms, typical administration fees and commercial practices regarding refunds and deductions on cancellation. The company’s public information shows differentiation by product type rather than fixed monthly plans; price variation is determined by risk profile, cover level and underwriting rules.

what customers say about 123.ie

Public feedback across review platforms reflects a mix of positive and critical experiences. Many customers praise speed of quotation, helpfulness during renewal and clarity of core cover; others report dissatisfaction about renewal pricing and perceived lack of loyalty discounts. Regarding cancellation specifically, some reviewers report straightforward refunds and pragmatic handling when the policy is within the cooling-off period, while others note delays or disagreements about administrative deductions and returned premium calculations. Trustpilot entries show both 5‑star and 1‑star experiences, with recurring themes of pricing comparison and service timeliness.

analysis of customer experiences with cancellation

Customers commonly report three practical issues when cancelling: timing of refund calculation, the need to produce or return documentary evidence for motor policies (certificate and disc), and questions about administration or cancellation fees deducted from refunds. Paraphrased customer feedback highlights that when consumers act promptly within statutory cooling-off windows, dispute incidence is lower; conversely, cancellations outside those windows generate queries about pro‑rata refunds and explicit fees. Reviewers also advise that careful reading of the policy schedule and terms avoids later misunderstandings about non-refundable set-up charges or direct debit service fees.

legal framework and consumer rights relevant to cancellation

In Ireland the consumer right to withdraw from many insurance contracts is established in statute and reinforced by regulatory practice. the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019 and related European distance‑marketing rules, consumers generally have a 14‑day right to withdraw from new insurance contracts by giving notice in writing. This right is limited in certain short‑duration policies and is subject to deduction of the premium for the period of cover. , the insurer may impose a modest administrative charge where permitted by the policy terms and statutory rules. The statute explicitly contemplates that withdrawal is exercised by notice in writing, with specific conditions for motor insurance where certificates must be returned.

regulatory guidance and applicable practice

Regulated market practice in Ireland confirms a standard 14‑day cooling-off window for non-life products and a 30‑day window for certain life products in some instances, with pro‑rata premium treatment and documented evidence requirements. The Health Insurance Authority and other sector bodies describe similar mid-term cancellation charges and levy calculations for health cover. Insurers and intermediaries are expected to observe the Consumer Protection Code and statutory withdrawal rights when advising consumers.

step-by-step guide to cancelling a 123.ie policy (legal focus)

This section presents a legal and contractual walkthrough. The instruction prioritises statutory compliance, contractual clarity and use of registered postal delivery as the single, recommended method to secure legal proof of notice of cancellation. The following steps are directed by contract law practice rather than operational mailing guidance.

step 1 – identify the contract and key dates

Begin by identifying the specific policy number, the named policyholder and the policy start date as stated on the policy schedule. Confirm whether the policy is subject to the statutory cooling-off window and note the expiry of that period in calendar terms. Keep the schedule and any premium receipt to support entitlement to pro‑rata refunds. The insurer’s published product pages list the applicable cooling-off period and conditions by product.

step 2 – check contractual cancellation clauses and fees

Review the policy terms and conditions to determine the contractual cancellation fee, any non‑refundable set-up charge and the formula used to calculate returns of premium. Confirm whether the policy contains minimum premium provisions or special conditions (, equipment removal fees for black‑box units in young driver products). This review establishes the likely refund and any statutory entitlements.

step 3 – assemble documentary support

Collect documents referenced in the policy that the insurer may require on cancellation. For motor products, the insurer commonly requires surrender of the certificate of insurance and disc before processing. For other products, keep the policy schedule, proof of payment and any correspondence about cover changes. Such evidence supports entitlement to refund and avoids disagreements about the period of cover.

step 4 – determine the effective date of cancellation

Decide the effective date you require for termination, bearing in mind that entitlement to refund is calculated up to the date the insurer accepts the cancellation and any required documents are processed. , legal certainty is achieved by delivering a clear written notice of cancellation with a specified effective date and retaining proof of delivery. Use registered postal delivery to create an auditable record that the notice was sent and received.

step 5 – make the cancellation notice and keep records

Prepare a concise written notice that identifies the policy, states the policyholder name and requests termination as of a specified effective date. Keep copies of your notice and any supporting documents. Send the written notice by registered mail to the insurer’s address to secure a dated receipt and a formal record of dispatch and delivery. The official postal address for sending written notices to 123.ie is:123.ie, Intact House, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin 16, D16 FC92.

step 6 – follow contractual return requirements for motor documents

Where the policy references mandatory return of certificates or discs for motor cover, ensure these items are accounted for in the notice and retained until the insurer acknowledges receipt. The insurer’s terms may treat cancellation as ineffective until required documents are delivered; the position of the documents may affect the timing of the refund and legal release from cover.

step 7 – monitor the refund calculation and dispute promptly

After delivery, request an itemised breakdown of the refund calculation and any deductions. Where there is a discrepancy between expected and actual refund, raise the issue formally and retain the registered‑mail proof as evidence of timely notice. If the insurer relies on contractual deductions permitted by statute or the policy, the reasoning should be transparent; challenge any unexplained fees through a documented complaint process.

practical implications of choosing registered postal delivery

Using registered postal delivery to transmit a cancellation notice provides robust evidence that notice was given. Registered delivery creates a formal chain of custody for legal purposes and is widely accepted by adjudicators and courts as conclusive proof of service. The written record reduces the scope for factual dispute about when the insurer received the notice and whether the statutory cooling-off period was observed. In contested cases, the registered mail proof is often material to resolving timing disputes and entitlement to refund.

common legal pitfalls

Avoid assuming that a verbal request or an informal exchange is legally effective. Legal notice requirements are governed by the policy wording and statute; failure to comply with documented notice requirements can lead to unexpected liability. If a policy requires physical surrender of items before cancellation takes effect, the effective date may be later than the dispatch date unless the insurer accepts otherwise in writing. Retain all registered mail receipts and acknowledgements to preserve your evidential position.

how 123.ie typically handles refunds and fees

Published guidance by the insurer describes pro-rata refunding of unused premiums less permitted deductions and specified cancellation fees. Common practice disclosed on product pages includes no charge for refunds within the cooling-off period apart from the cost of cover for days on risk, while post‑cooling‑off cancellations attract administrative fees (examples shown are €25 and €55 for certain products). Be aware that direct debit service charges or policy set-up fees may be identified as non‑refundable in the terms. Always ask for the numerical refund calculation and supporting entries.

timing and processing expectations

Processing timeframes for refunds vary with administrative load and the complexity of the policy. The registered mail record speeds any dispute resolution because it establishes a clear timeline. If an insurer treats cancellation as effective only when documents are processed, invoice lines should reflect the precise dates used to calculate refund amounts; request those dates in writing if necessary.

practical solutions to simplify sending registered mail

To make the process easier, consider options that reduce operational friction when you need to send a registered postal notice while preserving legal proof. One practical service allows you to send a registered letter without a printer or a trip to a post office. The service prints, stamps and posts the letter on your behalf and offers digital templates for many categories of cancellations.

A 100% online service to send registered or simple letters, without a printer. You don't need to move: Postclic prints, stamps and sends your letter. Dozens of ready-to-use templates for cancellations: telecommunications, insurance, energy, various subscriptions… Secure sending with return receipt and legal value equivalent to physical sending.

Using such a service may be especially helpful if you cannot access physical mailing facilities or need a ready template to ensure your written notice contains standard contractual elements. Keep in mind that using a third party does not change the legal effect of registered postal notice so long as the registered delivery and return receipt are properly produced and retained.

note on third-party services and evidence

Retain the service's return receipt, tracking number and any confirmation generated at dispatch. These documents form part of the evidential package you may need if the calculation of refunds or the effective date of termination is disputed. Ensure the destination address used is the insurer’s official postal address as set out above.

dispute avenues and escalation

If you and the insurer cannot agree on the refund amount or effective cancellation date after delivering registered notice, use the insurer’s internal complaints procedure in writing and keep registered-mail evidence of the complaint. If the complaint remains unresolved, escalate to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman or the Central Bank’s consumer channels depending on the nature of the dispute. The registered‑mail records are a core part of your file when seeking adjudication.

how to frame a formal dispute

In framing a dispute, concentrate on documentary facts: date of registered dispatch, returned receipt date, policy schedule, payment records and the insurer’s stated deduction formula. Request an itemised account of deductions. If the dispute proceeds to adjudication, provide the registered mail evidence and an explanation of the chronology showing compliance with statutory or contractual notice periods.

common questions from policyholders and legal responses

Question: does sending a written cancellation notice by registered post satisfy the statutory requirement to give notice in writing? Answer: yes; in the absence of a different contractual prescription, registered post is a conventional and legally effective method to give written notice because it creates traceable evidence of transmission and delivery.

Question: what if the insurer’s terms require surrender of certificates before processing? Answer: that condition is usually enforceable for motor policies. If the policy conditions state the cancellation will only be processed upon receipt of a returned certificate, the effective date for refund calculation may be linked to receipt. , ensure that the registered postal delivery evidences return of the required items where the policy demands their surrender.

Question: can a consumer withdraw within the cooling-off window without penalty? Answer: statute permits withdrawal within the 14‑day cooling-off window subject to payment for the period of cover; insurers may not impose additional hidden penalties beyond permitted deductions. Check the policy for set-up fees that may remain non‑refundable.

what to do after cancelling 123.ie

After sending registered notice and obtaining any refund, ensure you keep the registered-mail receipt, the insurer’s acknowledgement and the itemised refund computation for at least the period in which a complaint could be pursued. Review your ongoing insurance needs and, if replacing cover, secure replacement insurance evidence before cancelling motor cover where the law requires continuous cover. If there is a residual dispute, assemble a chronology with copies of all registered delivery records and seek independent advice or refer the matter to the appropriate statutory adjudicator.