Diamond Insurance Breakdown Cover Total Rip off.

iamclaire

:mad: I am so mad after having the day from hell. I stupidly lost the only key to my Vauxhall Astra Club. I rang round several unhelpful auto locksmiths in Brighton but no-one could be specific except to say it would cost in the region of £170 and £200. The dealer was cheaper we did not want our car to be towed down to the dealers but in the end we relented and called the local Vauxhall dealer who could not have been more helpful. Caffyns on Preston Road Brighton by the way. Anyway I called my insurance company Diamond with which I have breakdown cover and asked if I could get my car towed down to the garage about approx 2 miles away. They said yes but I would probably have a small charge as they use specialist equipment. I said okay but would he be able to quote me at the roadside, she said yes that would not be a problem and I would not have to have it if the quote was too high, again I said okay.

The guy arrived from LH Recovery and had my car on the truck before I could do anything. I asked him how much it would all cost as I couldn't afford alot of money and he said £40 to £50 and not to worry. I thought that was reasonable signed the form and agreed, the form does not say I had agreed to any money exchanging though and the bloke was adamant I was not signing for any agreement. The form I have signed seems to state that fact as well.

The guy took the car to the garage and we followed in my partners van. On the way Diamond insurance rang and stated that the charge was going to be £270 for the recovery of my vehicle to the garage. I could not believe I had been blatently lied to and my partner nearly linched the recovery bloke. Please help me as for losing my car key it is going to cost me £390 with the cost from the dealer. What rights have I got if my car had been impounded it would have been cheaper to recover by £150. What breakdown cover am I actually paying for?

balsingh

what do you mean by 'specialist' equipment? Wasn't it just a standard tow?

jonathon

i was assuming that the car was locked so the handbrake would be on.in which case thay would have to lift the car as thay do when your car gets impounded