Check your RAC policy as you might not be covered

Spud42_2

After a lovely few days visiting folks with my kids, partner and dog in Aylesbury, we headed back home to the Isle of Wight, dropping off the kids with their dad. At this point the clutch seemed to be sticking, but knowing we had RAC cover which had been an offer with my Insurance, we decided to continue our journey hoping to make the 1pm ferry which I booked from Portsmouth.

By Hinehead on the A3 it had become almost impossible to get the van into any gear apart from 3rd and 4th and meeting traffic lights we were forced to pull over and failed to get the van moving after that.

We called the RAC who sent a recovery vehicle very quickly to pick us up but at that point alarm bells started to ring as as soon as we said we were going to the Isle of Wight. He seemed uncertain who would be taking us across.

I called the RAC and after waiting for a long time was told that we were not covered for the crossing! and that I would have to pay the cost of the recovery vehicle on the ferry.

Wightlink, the ferry company, would not accept it to be towed onto the ferry and then towed off at the other side so we were faced with the cost of the ferry if we wanted to get the van home.

Meanwhile on almost reaching Portsmouth, we were told we would have to turn around and return to Petersfield for another company to take us on the ferry if we were happy to pay the cost. All £172 of it!

Outraged and I should say slightly miffed why we now had to wait another hour by the roadside, we phoned RAC back to explain that they must have this wrong. That in my policy which I had printed out and kept in my van, it said nothing of an exemption for ferry journeys however we were told again that our policy must be wrong, and that the RAC do not cover for ferry crossings or toll cost.

This was the first I had known about this and having lived on the island now for 3 years, driving to the mainland often on my own I decided to continue with recovery cover just incase I got caught out whilst doing this journey. The cost of the ferry I though was never going to be an issue as I did not see anything in the policy to say otherwise.

Straight after christmas £172 is not easy for anyone to find and at the age of 42 I did not think I would have to take a hand out from my dad to pay for it but when you need to get home I guess you find a way and RAC know that too.

So anyone who lives on an island however big or small who has to get a ferry be warned. RAC policy is NOT to pay for your crossing.

I will be cancelling my policy asap and going back to the AA (I was a member for 20 years!) who I hear think 'recovery to anywhere in the UK' really means just that.

Quentin

Your thread title is what you should have done!

Cancelling and going to the AA is no solution either, and would just be a waste of your money.

(Both RAC and AA clearly state in their ts + cs (you will have accepted the RAC's before buying the cover) that recovery does not include toll or ferry fares)

JQ.

All sounds quite logical to me. I'd have thought living on an island would result in increased costs in all sorts of things, not just car recovery.

Justicia

Spud42 wrote: »

I will be cancelling my policy asap and going back to the AA (I was a member for 20 years!) who I hear think 'recovery to anywhere in the UK' really means just that.

I think that you have heard incorrectly...

General exclusions
1. AA Membership does not provide for:
....
h. Ferry, toll charges etc
Any ferry, toll or congestion charges incurred in connection with Your Vehicle as a result of it being recovered;

Hmmmm.....

vikingaero

I've known for 20+ years from living in Glasgow that ferry charges were never included if I needed recovery when visiting the Highlands and Islands. Most operators such will absorb small toll costs such as the Dartford Crossing, Humber Crossing and the old Erskine Bridge Crossing. But to expect them to do so for island ferries is a little far fetched. For instance I went onto a freight website to book a last minute crossing on Wightlink for a transporter and it came to £270. The point is that the crossing is last minute there and back. It isn't reasonable for the AA/RAC to wait for an off peak travel. The unit needs to get you onto the island and themselves back off ASAP. You cannot expect the AA/RAC to cover these costs, or ultimately expect other mainland members to cover your costs. Living on an island has it's attractions, but you pay the penalty for the increased cost of travel to and fro.

magpiecottage

OP may have a case under the FSA's ICOBS rules which govern breakdown cover as a general insurance contract.

The logic of the argument is as follows:

The purpose of recovery is to get the policyholder (i.e. member) to their home in case of breakdown.

The policyholder lives on an island that is less than 20 miles long. Realistically, they do not need recovery if they break down on the island itself as standard membership will recover the vehicle to a local garage. They can then get a bus, or at worst a taxi, back home.

The purpose of the cover is therefore to get them back home when if they break down on the mainland - the same as for the rest of us. If it does not do that then it is unsuitable.

Given that the RAC knows that the OP is on an island (a bespoke motoring organisation ought to realise this the words "Isle of Wight" in the address), I think they have a case for arguing that the policy was unsuitable and the RAC should have ensured they understood this limitation before selling the policy.

So a complaint may work - and you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service if the initial decision is not to your satisfaction.

thescouselander

I think a complaint might actually work. Interestingly I couldn't see any reference to ferry costs in the significant exclusions and limitations section of the Ts & Cs. In the OP's case I would say this exclusion is very significant since they live on an island.


The actual exclusion is mentioned in the costs section:

The cost of ferry crossings and/or toll fees for the
Member’s Vehicle and the return ferry costs and/or
toll fees of the accompanying recovery vehicle if
required to enable a successful Recovery.

I dont think this is clear enough and this limitation should have been mentioned up front rather than buried at the end of the small print - I also agree the policy the OP has may be unsuitable.

Of course the only opinion that matters is that of the FOS - its probably worth getting in touch with them to see what they say.

jfdi

But that's been the case for years with Recovery Companies.

Back in the early '80s my friend's OH still lived in Yorkshire as far as the AA were concerned, not on the IoW - coz he'd not've been covered for an Island address!

Driver8

The Rescue Service cover ferry fares and all road toll's.

Rolandtheroadie

Driver8 wrote: »

The Rescue Service cover ferry fares and all road toll's.

Their website doesnt inspire confidence.

A wee addition, they cover the vehicle? So if i'm covered but out in the wifes car with the brood sitting on the hard shoulder of the M62, I'm not.
Dont do ferrys or toll roads, why should I subsidise those that do.

scbk

Seems odd Wightlink wouldn't let the car on, up here CalMac and Northlink let unaccomponied vehicles/trailers accross