Would you have preferred to be uninsured, with the potential for a £300 fine, 6 points and they could seize your car if caught?
Not at all but lets be fair id not treat any client like that and i think it's poor business. They've my mobile, house and work numbers. One call would have sufficed. To go along the lines of we havent heard from him so we'll renew it anyway is a bit crap. They're quick enough to call when they wish to up the price on the business policy and need payment on alterations.