Can car be Impounded if direct debit failed on car insurance??

Helstar75

Hello

Advise need and apologize sent if this is posted in wrong place.
SEnt a rant coming up!!!

I have a question that one of you maybe able to advise on.
A relative of mine was pulled over in her car by police and told she had no insurance aparently policeman checked on computer and it said that whilst the last month was paid for end of July. The August Direct debit had failed and so she basically wasnt insuraned she had no idea that the payment had not gone through. They inpounded the car imediately and was told that she should also have 6 points on her licence and go to court and pay £150 fee. Then upto £200 to get the car back. To me that is discusting. It is not as though she hasnt had insurance before! she had no idea that payment had failed and the insurance company was closed untill Monday!!!.

Surley there is something not right? Please advise if this is normal thing that can happen.
Luckly her kids werent in the car at the time as she had to make her own way home and has problems walking as well.
No wonder this country is in such as mess they dont catch the real criminals and have earnt a nice potential £350 !!

Thanks for reading my rant I am I the only one that thinks this is crazy???:mad:

steveo3002

well if she had no insurance then that sounds right , we cant be having people running around with no insurance for whatever reason

if the bank account had funds , id be kicking up a serious fuss and finding out whos to blame for having no insurance , theres a chance it might be a mistake thier end at the insurance ?

King_Nothing

How can the last direct debit come out at the end of July, but then they expect Augusts to come out not even half way through the month? Normally you would get corrospondance from the insurance company asking you what the crack is, before they cancel a policy.

You sure their insurance hasn't finished now? I'm sure if the police can't reach the insurance company it's up to the discretion of the police officer to impound the car or give a producer?

Also I'm sure the police don't have peoples direct debit schedules on their police computer, they usually end up having to ring the insurance company.

Hintza

OP I think there is more to this than meets the eye. Could also be a balls up but your friend obviously needs to get to the bottom of it.

colino

The Police wouldn't be concerned about the payment details, just the fact that the car was being driven illegally without insurance. Its a matter for the bank/insurer/insuree, but none of that will excuse the fine or potential points.

Helstar75

Thanks for comments yeah I can understand that people cant go around with out insurance but I dont understand how an insurance company can do that without contacting the person they insure.
She was insured untill September so there shouldnt have been a probelm anyway just have to see what happens with the bank and insurance company.

dacouch

They would normally send a recorded delivery letter to the last address they have for the policyholder giving 7 days notice the policy will be cancelled.

Try ringing the Insurers and asking when / if a letter was sent

Quentin

Helstar75 wrote: »

They inpounded the car imediately and was told that she should also have 6 points on her licence and go to court and pay £150 fee.

If they let you off with a FPN for driving uninsured, then the fine is £200 (plus the 6 points).

But the cost is far more than that, as in addition to having to pay the towing and storage charges on top of the fine, future insurance premiums will be sky high.

DUTR

Helstar75 wrote: »

Thanks for comments yeah I can understand that people cant go around with out insurance but I dont understand how an insurance company can do that without contacting the person they insure.
She was insured untill September so there shouldnt have been a probelm anyway just have to see what happens with the bank and insurance company.

You don't know that they didn't ,I'm sure they did.

Helstar75

Yes I see your points thanks
But I do know there is no way she would take the chance of knowingly driving the car without insurance she usally has her kids with her and she wouldnt take the risk. I dont trust these insurance companies anyway or banks.

Keith

Helstar75 wrote: »

No wonder this country is in such as mess they dont catch the real criminals and have earnt a nice potential £350 !!

Traffic Police in catching motorist breaking the law shock.