I had exactly the same happen with my Saga policy back in 2013 .. it was just simply DISGUSTING and tantamount to a simple RIP OFF
Asking them to justify it they said all sorts of stuff about higher risk areas etc etc ..... i asked for the evidence, they told me to just " bog off " effectively, they had zero obligation to do so
Well, I had no choice but to pay up ....... moved from them for many many years thereafter BUT now, back with Saga, the best prices at the moment for me ..... and for the past few years too
They simply lied to me back in 2013 and took the p - - iss, coz they could and they knew it
DISGRACEFUL then back in 2013
Malc