AA Breakdown Cooling off period

chetwyndo

I decided to buy AA breakdown cover late on 6/10/10 with a policy start date of 8/10/10.
After receiving a better quote from a different company, I phoned the AA and asked to cancel.
Although there is a cooling off period of 14 days, the AA said they would still charge me £20 for admin fees.
So my question is :-
Can they levy a charge if I cancel within the cooling off period taking into consideration that the policy hasn't even started yet?

Thank you in advance.

4743hudsonj

chetwyndo wrote: »

I decided to buy AA breakdown cover late on 6/10/10 with a policy start date of 8/10/10.
After receiving a better quote from a different company, I phoned the AA and asked to cancel.
Although there is a cooling off period of 14 days, the AA said they would still charge me £20 for admin fees.
So my question is :-
Can they levy a charge if I cancel within the cooling off period taking into consideration that the policy hasn't even started yet?

Thank you in advance.

Why not read the terms and conditions. If its mentions the charge then your stuck, if not then no they cant, Simples.

chetwyndo

4743hudsonj wrote: »

Why not read the terms and conditions. If its mentions the charge then your stuck, if not then no they cant, Simples.

OK. It says in the T&Cs that a £20 will be made if cancelled, so I might well be stuck.
It just doesn't seem fair that they can do this within the cooling off period.
What stops them from saying that the penalty is the entire amount of the premium?

whatmichaelsays

The AA can set whatever T&Cs they wish as long as they comply with the law of the land. It's your choice whether or not you agree with them.

Torby

if you change that makes your "better" quote £20 dearer....simple maths...cancel or change...sounds from the T & Cs that the AA are within their rights, should have gone through Quidco....

chetwyndo

After reading further into the cooling off period, it seems they are allowed to make an reasonable admin charge.
However, I don't feel that over 25% of the premium is reasonable.
Never mind.

Hintza

chetwyndo wrote: »

It just doesn't seem fair that........

..........customers do not do their research before buying.

If I buy anything I stop looking the instant I have paid for it because I run the risk of finding it cheaper (not often though).

So why carry on looking after you have paid, do it before and save yourself the hassle.

fthl

how did you buy?

chetwyndo

fthl wrote: »

how did you buy?

Online.
It was only a matter of hours until I wanted to cancel.
25% feels a bit rough.

royzor

Hi chetwyndo,
My son is having trouble with the AA also. He took out cover with them last year and paid the total balance in full. The cover was due up last month and they took a further annual fee from his account leaving him with bank charges.
He noticed the money had gone from his account when he tried to get money out of the cash line to tax his car. When he realized were his money had gone he phoned AA straight away (The day after they had taken the money) to ask them to refund the as he did not want and could not afford the cover this year. They told him he cannot cancel and he would not be getting a refund as they sent a renewal letter. He did not receive the renewal letter and they told him that was not their problem and he needs to get in touch with royal mail. I was under the impression it was for them to prove they sent the letter, not for him to prove he did not receive it.
I am furious as he is only 19yr old and trying to pay for his car finance and the disgustingly high cost of insurance as well as the running of it.
Sorry to vent on your post but I am so annoyed with them.

xx Roz xx

fthl

http://www.out-law.com/page-430#Exempt