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AA Breakdown Repair Cover claim rejected
adunn1_2
Posts: 8 Forumite
Hi All
In desperate need of some help in writing an appeal letter!
I will write a transcript of the letter they issued me and hopefully someone can help.
'We write to you with the reason for the claim refusal for the Replacement Cylinder Head Gasket on the above caras per your request.
On 12 December 2012 we were contacted by Halfords Autocentres who informed the claims department that the Cylinder Head Gasket had failed on your car. Not only that the Camshaft ad Follwers were in a poor state. In view of this we instructed an independent engineer to go to the garage, inspect the stripped down car and provide a report.
The report states that the Head Gasket was in a generally poor condition commensurate with age and mileage of the car. The Cylinder Head displayed evidence of washing. The camshaft lobes in the numbers 2 and 3 cylinders displayed evidence of severe abrading and wear at their centre section. The followers of the numbers 2 and 3 cylinders were also excessively worn. Their opinion is "After inspection of the partly dismantled engine, we would confirm the cylinder head gasket had had gasket had breached between number 3 and 4 cylinders. We would also confirm however, that the gasket was in a generally poor condition and had deteriorated, its condition being commensurate with the age and reported mileage of the vehicle. The result of this had been cross contamination of oil and coolant and this had clearly affected the lubricant to the camsaft number 2 and 3 cylinder lobes displaying evidence of excess wear. On the basis that the vehicle has completed only 382 miles since policy inception, we would conclude that the cylinder head gasket and the camshaft were both i a worn condition prior to the start of the policy. The condition would have been apparent as a misfire and excessive engine noise". End of engineers opinion.
In view of the above report findings we refused the claim as it is considered that the fault has been evident for some time.
As we have already carried out our internal review, any further appeal against our decision lies with the underwriter of the Breakdown Repair Cover. All appeal applications must be sent to ................'
This policy was take out in good faith and the car had been serviced as soon as I bought it which was April 2012 and was also carried out through Halfords. Nothing was mentioned to me about these problems and I have not heard any noises coming from the car that seem out of the ordinary. I am no mechanic but it was running fine until it had been left at my friends house while I was on holiday for a week and then when I came back it wouldn't start. I called them out and the rest is covered above.
They keep mentioning above the problem is consistent with the cars age and mileage (somethig they are made aware of when the policy is taken and which they duely icreased my premium).
After they declined my claim I spoke with Halfords and the guy I spoke to said there is no way a problem can be pinpointed to happening at a specific mileage so I am at a loss how they can decline my claim.
Please help and I am sorry for the long post!
Thank you all.
In desperate need of some help in writing an appeal letter!
I will write a transcript of the letter they issued me and hopefully someone can help.
'We write to you with the reason for the claim refusal for the Replacement Cylinder Head Gasket on the above caras per your request.
On 12 December 2012 we were contacted by Halfords Autocentres who informed the claims department that the Cylinder Head Gasket had failed on your car. Not only that the Camshaft ad Follwers were in a poor state. In view of this we instructed an independent engineer to go to the garage, inspect the stripped down car and provide a report.
The report states that the Head Gasket was in a generally poor condition commensurate with age and mileage of the car. The Cylinder Head displayed evidence of washing. The camshaft lobes in the numbers 2 and 3 cylinders displayed evidence of severe abrading and wear at their centre section. The followers of the numbers 2 and 3 cylinders were also excessively worn. Their opinion is "After inspection of the partly dismantled engine, we would confirm the cylinder head gasket had had gasket had breached between number 3 and 4 cylinders. We would also confirm however, that the gasket was in a generally poor condition and had deteriorated, its condition being commensurate with the age and reported mileage of the vehicle. The result of this had been cross contamination of oil and coolant and this had clearly affected the lubricant to the camsaft number 2 and 3 cylinder lobes displaying evidence of excess wear. On the basis that the vehicle has completed only 382 miles since policy inception, we would conclude that the cylinder head gasket and the camshaft were both i a worn condition prior to the start of the policy. The condition would have been apparent as a misfire and excessive engine noise". End of engineers opinion.
In view of the above report findings we refused the claim as it is considered that the fault has been evident for some time.
As we have already carried out our internal review, any further appeal against our decision lies with the underwriter of the Breakdown Repair Cover. All appeal applications must be sent to ................'
This policy was take out in good faith and the car had been serviced as soon as I bought it which was April 2012 and was also carried out through Halfords. Nothing was mentioned to me about these problems and I have not heard any noises coming from the car that seem out of the ordinary. I am no mechanic but it was running fine until it had been left at my friends house while I was on holiday for a week and then when I came back it wouldn't start. I called them out and the rest is covered above.
They keep mentioning above the problem is consistent with the cars age and mileage (somethig they are made aware of when the policy is taken and which they duely icreased my premium).
After they declined my claim I spoke with Halfords and the guy I spoke to said there is no way a problem can be pinpointed to happening at a specific mileage so I am at a loss how they can decline my claim.
Please help and I am sorry for the long post!
Thank you all.
0
Comments
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I can see how they would think your trying it on. You bought the car in April. And only recently took out their warranty. Only 382 miles covered.
From the letter i assume they think the gasket had been leaking for sometime.
What is the car and age / mileage?
What is the wear to the camshaft and followers? How bad is it?
Have you had any work done since you bought the car? How often do you check the car? Oil, Water ?Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...0 -
I can understand about the mileage but I bought the car in April and due to the age and mileage of the car I thought at the time it would be wise to get the cover. I could not foresee the issue arising when it did but it is the reason for me getting the insurance in case it happened. The car is an S reg and the mileage is approximately 110,000. But this was put in the application and they increased the premiums because of it. Obviously due to the age and mileage hence the bigger risk and there being more chance in a claim. Just unfortunate it happened after only 382 miles. However, there is nothing in the T&Cs to say there is a certain amount of mileage needed before a claim can be made.
I have no idea about it leaking for a while. I don't think so but I am a complete novice when it comes to cars ad mechanics. I did however do the basics which is keep the water and oil topped up. And like I said it was serviced well less than a year ago. And there was no excessive noise with the car.
As for how bad the wear is again I don't know as the only info is what is in the letter above.
Thank you
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life will be a lot easier if halfords are willing to confirm in writing that there was no sign of water contamination in the oil both when it was serviced and when it broke down0
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Exactly what I thought so I asked but they said they have a 'good relationship' with them and wouldn't want to hinder that!!!!!!!
Plus when I mentioned to The AA that a Halfords Mechanic said there was no way the problem could be pinpointed to occur before the insurance was taken out they told me that they weren't as qualified as the engineers they use. How cheekys that basically saying Halfords mechanics are not up to scratch anyway!!!!0 -
My wife drove a car for months blissfully ignorant that the head gasket had failed until I looked at it just before its MOT and realised the oil was emulsifying. So I think it is quite possible for you to have been unaware.
Depending on the terms of the policy, I think it may be worth a complaint to the AA and if necessary the Financial Ombudsman Service as this is not necessarily a fault you would reasonably have been aware of.0 -
These policies are often more bother than they are worth, due to the high refusal rates. Essentially the are saying it was a Pre-existing condition at the time the policy was taken out, and they are not prepared to cover the cost.
The T&C's are very explicit, and you will find they are the arbiter of any claim, the FOS will only be of use if there is maladministration - faults caused by general wear and tear are always excluded, and it appears they are telling you this in a roundabout way.
In e last 25 years, I self-insure, putting the equivalent policy amount in a savings account to be called upon if need be. It was the best thing I ever did!0 -
FOS will also take into account "fairness" rather then just the maladministration and legal aspects.0
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Exactly what I thought so I asked but they said they have a 'good relationship' with them and wouldn't want to hinder that!!!!!!!
Plus when I mentioned to The AA that a Halfords Mechanic said there was no way the problem could be pinpointed to occur before the insurance was taken out they told me that they weren't as qualified as the engineers they use. How cheekys that basically saying Halfords mechanics are not up to scratch anyway!!!!
Why don't you make a complaint to Halfords? Let them know that you have been provided with expert evidence that the damage on the vehicle was present and would have been clear when they serviced the vehicle. Ask them why the damage wasn't repaired at the time.
I have a feeling this may help focus their minds on their 'good relationship' with you their customer!Sealed Pot Challenge #239
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I am currently going through the same thing. The AA refused my claim and i am currently waiting for the FOS to make a decision.
If you have the final decision then they won't listen to anything you say, best to put a complaint in with the FOS but this will take time to go though. Mine has been with them for about a year.0 -
Fsa don't deal with this type of problem
Follow the complaints procedure set out in the policy.
If you are unhappy with the reply you can escalate to the ombudsman (FOS)0
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