Failed DD charge from Insurance company

davepm

Hi
Quick question! I messed up my dates and my Car insurance Direct debit bounced (my fault completely!). So, a few days later they take the DD again (i knew they would do this) BUT they also tried to take an extra £20 (for late/failed payment).
Now, I understand that this will be covered by their T&C's BUT can they vary a direct debit like that? with no prior written notice? (it actually looks like its an extra DD rather than a variation of the amount on the original, but my online banking only shows one DD setup and the last amount taken was listed as the normal monthly amount).

Just wondering whether this is normal/legal? Surely if its a variation of a normal monthly DD then a) it would all be taken as 1 amount, not as 2 separate amounts, and b) they would be required to give notice of variation.

If it is a second (hidden?) DD then surely that would need to have been signed to set it up?

:mad:

Thanks in advance!

Dave

Sally_A

Sorry Davepm, but a default penalty tends to be the norm these days. It can vary from £15 to £35.

The only company I know of know that do not penalise, but give you some slack are Allianz on their Commercial policies - mind you more than 2 defaults in a year without good excuse and you could be refused their instalment plan the following year.

dzug1

A default charge may well be the norm - the question is whether it's valid to just take it by DD or whether they must give notice first. Their argument may be that the T&C constitute such notice

davepm

Sally_A wrote: »

Sorry Davepm, but a default penalty tends to be the norm these days. It can vary from £15 to £35.

The only company I know of know that do not penalise, but give you some slack are Allianz on their Commercial policies - mind you more than 2 defaults in a year without good excuse and you could be refused their instalment plan the following year.

I have no complaint with the penalty, just the way it is being applied.

dzug1 wrote: »

A default charge may well be the norm - the question is whether it's valid to just take it by DD or whether they must give notice first. Their argument may be that the T&C constitute such notice

Thats exactly what i was trying to get opinions on No complaints at all about the charge, i knew they would, and i accept it is my own fault!