Change date of a direct debit - not allowed?!

TigerTom_2

I've been changing my direct debit dates to the 1st of the month in order to try to become a bit more stable financially.

This hasn't been a problem until I just phoned BUPA who told me that my date was set and that I could only change it by cancelling my policy then opening a new one and "be viewed as a new customer". I asked if I could change it even at the annual renewal date and was still told no.

I understand I agreed to this date originally, but as I understand it the direct debit date isn't part of a contract and if I paid monthly by cheque or some such I'd have some leeway in when I paid.

Do I have any options or am I just stuck? Many thanks in advance.

dc110

Might be in the terms that DD cannot be changed.

Ask them if its in the t&c's. If it isnt they will change it

borgmanjayce

I don't know why BUPA are saying you can't change the date of a DD as I've been able to change my DD's without any problems or cancel them if needed and pay by debit card instead.

I would ask to speak to a manager at BUPA to ask if it's the company's policy to refuse to let people request to change their DD dates.

TigerTom_2

dc110 wrote: »

Might be in the terms that DD cannot be changed.

Well, that was half what I was wondering; if DDs could be limited in such a way in the terms. Seems that you should be allowed to pay in any reasonable manner they accept, and therefore as I'm paying for a previous months insurance if I pay within the period allotted since the bill I should be able to choose the date.

borgmanjayce wrote: »

I don't know why BUPA are saying you can't change the date of a DD as I've been able to change my DD's without any problems or cancel them if needed and pay by debit card instead.

Just in general or with BUPA? I've not had problems with anyone else.

borgmanjayce wrote: »

I would ask to speak to a manager at BUPA to ask if it's the company's policy to refuse to let people request to change their DD dates.

Yes, it seems that might be necessary. The woman I was on the phone to did phone the 'correct department' and ask and then told me it wasn't possible at all.

Thanks for the responses.

scott_lithgows

Tried to change a D/D date back a week for the wife,s loan,as her pay date went back a week a few years ago.Clydesdale bank refused (had to use savings to cover it).When the loan was finished,she moved her current account to Nationwide because of the hassle.
Do BUPA have any rivals you could say you are thinking of moving your business to ?

willo65

If they say no then you can't make them. Some companies will only do it on certain days of the month and i'm sure that there is nothing stopping them from doing this.

kazd

Are you wanting to switch a payment from this month to next, ie should your payment go out on the 28th may and you want to switch to the 1st oem starting june, that could be your problem because technically you would be in arrears at the end of the month. how about paying manually this month and having a new dd set to the 1st (although its a bit close)