Cautionary tale of budget insurance

neilyweely

A warning. Budget insurance. Last night I had my car seized by the police and impounded. I was adamant I was insured however Budget told the police I was not as the payment had failed to clear da da dah. (and so on). I insisted it had, as there had been two payments made at the same time early and so on again. you get the picture. Anyway, today, after arguing the point with some idiot who would NOT listen, and his supervisor who was every bit as bad, they suddenly did a u turn and accepted their own stupidity. And fault.

You can probably tell I am not very happy about this. It has caused us serious problems not to mention upset the kids (Daddy, the car...........). I have recorded the conversation myself, and have the fella saying they are at fault. However I was relentlessly bullied for over an hour and most folk would have simply accepted they were wrong, and the insurance company right. I really do want to know what I can do about this. I am sick of being bullied and held to ransom by these companies and wish we had a Bank of Dave insurance company. (We love you Dave!!)

They have mentioned compensation. What can I expect? Any ideas what I can do now?

Thanks in advance.

Neil
3

dacouch

Compensation will probably consist of the cost of removing the car from the pound, any of costs you have incurred and probably circa £100 ex gratia payment

neilyweely

Thanks Dacouch

Not a lot, really, is it? Honestly, I'm no Martyr but I have had enough. I was really given a grilling. And I am not having it. Have contacted the ombudsman and will be taking this further unless I fluke upon someone from Budget who is decent enough to take the lead and contact me to apologise. Which they will not.
Thanks again

Neil

dacouch

You need to send them a letter marked "Official Complaint", they will then investigate and report back to you. The Ombudsman will not look at the case until you have gone through the official complaint route.

If you ring the Ombudsman, they will sometimes make a call to the Insurer.

What sort of amount of compensation are you expecting

neilyweely

Dacouch
When you say compensation I wasn't expecting anything really. I was expecting them to cover the two taxis we had to take on Saturday night, as the car was taken whilst we were on our way out somehwere. And as they are talking about people being 'away till tuesday' I guess they ought to pay for a rental?

Perhaps an apology wouldn't go amiss? Honestly, the main thing is the way I was spoken to today, by three members of staff, who all insisted I was wrong, until they saw I was right. About an hour and a half later. It really was NOT that difficult to understand; I am staggered they were so anti me they could not see what was really quite obvious. I would really like a copy of the recordings of the conversation that they stated they had. Do you think I am entitled to a copy?

Thankyou Sir.

Neil

alanfp

If it's an apology that you want (and your post suggests that you would prefer that to a £100 cheque) then write and ask them for one.

If you'd really like an apology AND a cheque, ask for that.

And as Dacouch says, don't waste your time contacting the Ombudsman until you've exhausted discussions with the ins. co.

Ellejmorgan

The police involvement would have scared me, if It was me I would have been distraught, I've never broken the law, i'm sure you haven't either and to be accused if awful...

Take this to the highest plain op, you could be preventing this happening to someone who can't fight back...

To me this would be worth more than £100.

Voyager2002

Recordings of conversations are wiped pretty quickly, so contact them immediately saying that you require those recordings. I would also contact the Ombudsman asking them to contact the company and ensure that the recordings are kept.

I would also make an official complaint, and in the complaint letter I would state clearly that I want a member of senior management to listen to the recordings.

magpiecottage

A complaint to the insurer is sensible.

They should reimburse out of pocket expenses AND make a payment for the distress and inconvenience caused.

From what you say, if the Financial Ombudsman accepted your version of events I would expect the expenses plus about £250 to be awarded.