Breakdown Insurance Want Costs That I Can't Afford

[Hair Bear]

For many years I've religiously renewed my breakdown coverage because it's very cheap - £15.

 

During that period I think I've used them only once before, but recently I punctured five miles from home. Ordinarily I would put the spare on myself but, Sod's Law, only that morning had lent someone my repair kit and didn't have it back yet. Rather than walk home, I decided to use breakdown. When I rang, they told me they couldn't find my details and said I hadn't renewed, but I was adamant that I had. They agreed to send someone in good faith providing my details could be clarified (I was also given the impression that if there had been a problem with the renewal, it could be rectified).

 

As it was, it took them four hours to get to me (had I known it would be that long, I'd have walked home!). This prompted them to, the following day, ring me and offer £50 compensation. Now I've received a threatening letter saying I didn't renew and they want paying for everything. I'm assuming they mean the £50 and the cost of the (third party) breakdown guy. They haven't put a figure on this but I dread to think what it is. Having now checked, I found that I haven't a renewal policy.

 

Further investigation shows that I sent them a cheque (which I have proof off) but, again Sod's Law kicking in, the £15 cheque that was subsequently cashed on my bank statement, and that I therefore assumed was for the renewal, was actually a late cheque that I'd written three months earlier, cashed late. So what now? I know that I sent them the cheque, so feel like I'm being punished because they lost the cheque. I know that I won't be able to afford whatever figure they come out with, and most certainly wouldn't have willy nilly rang for a breakdown guy to come out had I not thought I had coverage.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited January 18, 2017 by Andyorch
Paras

[Old Cogger]

was this good 2 go cover you state £15.00?? make a formal complaint pointing out the evidence you say you have for starters is my thought, sure others will comment also!

[AndyOrch]

Thread moved to the appropriate forum.

 

Please continue to post here to your thread.

 

Regards

 

Andy

[unclebulgaria67]

Suggest that you inform them in writing that you did send them a cheque on x date, but it appears they never cashed this in regard to the renewal. Ask them to go through their records of cheques received to find out what happened to it. Advise them that you are quite willing to pay the £15 if the cheque has gone missing in their systems and thank them for their recent help.

 

That is the way i would proceed. You did not give them a blank cheque in regard to the callout of breakdown services. They proceeded on the basis that a payment for the renewal has been mislaid and i don't see any reason why you should not maintain that this is your position as well.

[Hair Bear]

Thank you, unclebulgaria67 and Andyorch. Will let you know what happens.