AA Breakdown Repair Cover

[rashidhussain69]

Hi, i was wondering if someone could help me. i am sure I'm not the first or last to report such a problem.

 

i have been a member of AA for about 6 years and have the additional breakdown repair cover. i own a vw golf 1.9tdi 2005 model

 

last week i broke down whilst driving, i lost total power however it was intermittent, even with the full foot down on the accelerator. i suspected it was the turbo or MAF as the warning light appeared on the dash board. i parked up in a safe location, called the AA and they sent a patrol, in favour of the AA, the patrol did arrive within 20 minutes.

 

i explained to the patrol what had happened and he advised that most likely cause was the MAF, as the error code from his machine pointed to that. he cleaned the MAF (Mass air flow Meter) and the light went off. he advised me to drive to a garage of my choice so i did, as he followed me, more black smoke, he flashed me down and recovered me to the garage.

 

the garage inspected the car and advised the MAF was faulty and also the turbo had failed.

 

the garage called the AA and advised of the issues related to the breakdown and that it was a sudden mechanical failure.

 

AA refused to give an authorisation number, i spoke to them today and they advised me they want to send an inspector out and based on his report they may overturn their decision to cover the repair.

 

i hope someone can help me. just dont feel the warranty serves its purpose.

 

thanks

[rashidhussain69]

from what i have learnt, if AA send out an inspector then they pay around£150, they would rather pay that than the full £465. i feel totally let down by the AA.

[rebel11]

Hi rashid

 

Have a read of their terms and conditions to see what it says. Just because it's in their Terms and Conditions doesn't make it fair.

 

Were you watching the whole time when the AA guy was attending to the fault?

 

I think you need to wait for the Inspectors Report. Then if your not happy write a Formal Letter of Complaint, mark it as such. Explain what's happened, how they have let you down and what you want them to do to put matters right.

 

Send it to:

Mr Andrew Goodsell

[email protected]

Automobile Association

[rashidhussain69]

thanks rebel, i have read the terms and conditions, from what i understand they should cover the fault.

 

1. Features and benefits of AA Breakdown Repair Cover

AA Breakdown Repair Cover will cover

The cost of repair and/or the cost of replacement of certain parts when your vehicle has suffered a

 

breakdown and you are unable to safely continue your journey.

 

In order for cover to apply the vehicle must:

 

a) breakdown as a result of mechanical or electrical failure, and

b) as a result, be prevented from continuing its journey safely, and

c) have been attended by the AA under your AA Membership, and

d) need the repair or replacement of part(s) to start or continue your journey. (Please see page 9 for

details of parts covered)

up to £500 for parts, labour and VAT per claim.

 

all the above apply, however the technical advisor who refused to give me his full name wanted to know why the insured part failed. he was interested in the root cause of the failure.

 

i watched the AA guy throughout, ll he did was plug his machine into the car, got an error code relating to the mass airflow meter. he cleaned it with contact cleaner, the car still wasnt driving properly so he towed me to a garage.

 

i have written an email to the CEO. i will also forward it onto Andrew Goodsell.

 

the thing that makes me angry is i had a turbo failure over 2 years ago and AA repaired it under the policy. why is it any different this time round??

 

 

thanks

[rebel11]

Hi rashid

 

It sounds very odd, lets see what the CEO has to say. The previous claim might have thrown up an indicator, just that a claim has been made, probably no more then that. Have they told you when the inspector will be calling?

 

thanks rebel, i have read the terms and conditions, from what i understand they should cover the fault.

 

1. Features and benefits of AA Breakdown Repair Cover

AA Breakdown Repair Cover will cover

The cost of repair and/or the cost of replacement of certain parts when your vehicle has suffered a

 

breakdown and you are unable to safely continue your journey.

 

In order for cover to apply the vehicle must:

 

a) breakdown as a result of mechanical or electrical failure, and

b) as a result, be prevented from continuing its journey safely, and

c) have been attended by the AA under your AA Membership, and

d) need the repair or replacement of part(s) to start or continue your journey. (Please see page 9 for

details of parts covered)

up to £500 for parts, labour and VAT per claim.

 

all the above apply, however the technical advisor who refused to give me his full name wanted to know why the insured part failed. he was interested in the root cause of the failure.

 

i watched the AA guy throughout, ll he did was plug his machine into the car, got an error code relating to the mass airflow meter. he cleaned it with contact cleaner, the car still wasnt driving properly so he towed me to a garage.

 

i have written an email to the CEO. i will also forward it onto Andrew Goodsell.

 

the thing that makes me angry is i had a turbo failure over 2 years ago and AA repaired it under the policy. why is it any different this time round??

 

 

thanks

[rashidhussain69]

i only mentioned the previous claim after they had already advised they would not cover this repair. they advised that was under a different policy and were not really interested. he advised that if the cause of the turbo failing was an oil blockage stopping oil getting to the turbo then it wold not be covered as this is a new amendment in the T&Cs. any oil blockages in the engine are not covered. They have not advised when the inspector would call. each day is costing me money without my car as ai have to use public transport to travel, im not on the best of jobs and these unnecessary cost do not help at all.

[rashidhussain69]

AA did not cover it in the end. below is the reply i received. AA inspector came out and advised the same. no sufficient oil supply to the turbo, could not definitely say it was due to a blockage. this grey area is used to the advantage of the AA to get out of paying the full $465. i feel Conned.

 

Dear Mr Hussain

 

Thank you for your email to our Executive Chairman, Mr Andrew Goodsell.

 

Further to our conversation today, I have reviewed the details of your claim with the information provided by the garage and by our technical team.

 

The terms and conditions for your Breakdown Repair Cover set out what conditions need to be met in order to authorise a claim, please refer to page 2 of your po licy which specifies:

 

"In order for the cover to apply the vehicle must:

a) breakdown as a result of mechanical or electrical failure, and

b) as a result be prevented from continuing its journey safely, and

c) have been attended by the AA under your AA membership, and

d) need the repair or replacement of part(s) to start or continue your journey."

 

The definition for the words "Mechanical or electrical failure" is been provided on page 7 of your terms and conditions which states,

 

"The sudden and unforeseen breaking or burning out (electrical) of any insured part(s) which prevents the Nominated vehicle from continuing or commencing (When Home Start cover is held under Your AA Member ship) its journey safely"

 

We have liaised with your garage who have advised us that the Turbocharger siezed internally which has caused the part to fail. As explained above, the BRC policy covers you for a sudden and unforeseen mechanical failure. The seizure of the Turbo is not a sudden failure itt has happened over a period of time and as such is not covered under your policy. I note from our records that my colleagues have offered to arrange the attendance of an independent inspector, who would assess the fault with the Turbo and provide an analysis of why the part failed. This option is still available and if you wish to arrange attendance please contact my colleagues on 0844 579 0042.

 

Based on the information that has been provided, I have upheld the re pudiation of your claim however, if the independent inspection provides more detail on why the part failed we will reassess this decision.

 

I am obliged to advise you that this email can be considered my final response however, if you feel I have not fully addressed your complaint, please let me know by replying to this email. Alternatively, if you remain unhappy you may contact the Financial Ombudsman Service within 6 months of the date of this email. They can be contacted at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR.

 

Thank you for taking the time to contact us, I understand that this may not be the response you were hoping for though I trust my email has clarified our position on this matter.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Ben Gannon

Special Investigations Executive

Office of the Chief Executive

[zumbanikki]

don't see how you could know or foreseen that the turbo was going to seize

maybe you will have to get the 2nd opioin or get in touch with the financial ombudsman

[raydetinu]

All these breakdown covers are insurance backed and is a numbers game, so they will not pay out unless there is absolutely no wriggle room and straight forward. If they can blame something else they will.

Waste of time, money and paper really.

[rashidhussain69]

i think i am going to write to the ombudsmen, i do feel let down and conned by the AA.

[Billy's mate]

Your own garage confirmed that the turbo had seized. This can only be due to a lack of oil as the AA have stated. Lack of oil supply to the turbo can be caused ( basically ) by two things. 1) lack of engine oil in the sump, and 2) the engine oil not being changed regularly in accordance with the vehicle's servicing schedule. This will cause the engine oil to 'congeal' and cause blockages in the small oil passages. Have you got documented proof that you have had your vehicle serviced in accordance with the manufacturers schedule ? If the answer is 'no' then you are not abiding by the AA's Terms and Conditions, and they are quite in order to send an inspector to look at the damaged engine components and make a judgement accordingly. If you don't agree with this, then by all means appeal to the Ombudsman and let us know how you get on.

[rebel11]

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints.htm

[raydetinu]

Also, if not letting the turbo cool down before switching off, oil will fry and block up oil ways! especially after a hot run.