Budget Insurance

neilyweely · 28 March 2013 at 12:55AM

Hi
Long story - here is a copy of a email sent to the BBC
I need to know how to take this further. They are behaving terribly and really are bullying me. I am sick of this and wish to take this further. Can anyone advise me?

Mods - all I have posted here is true - if I have broken any rules by using names or otherwise please let me know and/or amend the post. Thanks

I was insured with Budget Insurance for over a year before the date 22nd July 2012.
At the end of May 2012 I was concerned that there were insufficient funds in my account to cover the direct debit due to Budget Insurance, so I rang them and made a credit card payment. I asked what would happen if the direct debit did go through and was told I would then be in credit and would not have to make a payment next month. Fortunately this conversation was recorded. The direct debit did go through.

On the 22nd July I was pulled over by the police and told I was uninsured. I told them I most certainly was; they checked with Budget and told me I was not. My car was towed away and I was left with my wife and five year old daughter in the middle of town with no transport.

The following day, as soon as Budget opened (this was a Sunday) at 10am I rang Budget and had a two and a half hour conversation with them, during which time I was treated like a fool and lied to repeatedly. They squirmed and denied all responsibility until they finally agreed to listen to the recording and then I was passed over to another member of staff who said they were at fault and could I think of a sum I thought was fair for compensation. I was close to tears by this time, and if you listen to the recording (I have a copy) you will see why.

Subsequent to this there have been all sorts of ridiculous events; I was awarded 6 points and a £600 fine at court, which was then quoshed but took an age to filter through to the DVLA so I have had Bailiffs knocking on the door, and effectively have served a 7 day driving ban. Budget have paid for the car to be removed from the compound, and for two taxis, but we are massively out of pocket as there have been all sorts of fees, loss of earnings and other compounded problems. They have offered us £100 as a 'goodwill gesture'. I find this insulting as the fees that have been accrued as a result of all this are more than that.

Budget have admitted fault but have misled me, avoided me and patronised me throughout. If this had been an elderly couple, or even someone who could have easily afforded to 'let it slide' I am sure they would have got away with it, so to speak. I have copies of all conversations, including all the initial denials, and am able to make them available to you, or in fact anyone else.

Thanks for reading this. Waddya reckon?

hugoshavez · 28 March 2013 at 1:00AM

neilyweely wrote: »

Hi
Long story - here is a copy of a email sent to the BBC
I need to know how to take this further. They are behaving terribly and really are bullying me. I am sick of this and wish to take this further. Can anyone advise me?

Mods - all I have posted here is true - if I have broken any rules by using names or otherwise please let me know and/or amend the post. Thanks

I was insured with Budget Insurance for over a year before the date 22nd July 2012.
At the end of May 2012 I was concerned that there were insufficient funds in my account to cover the direct debit due to Budget Insurance, so I rang them and made a credit card payment. I asked what would happen if the direct debit did go through and was told I would then be in credit and would not have to make a payment next month. Fortunately this conversation was recorded. The direct debit did go through.

On the 22nd July I was pulled over by the police and told I was uninsured. I told them I most certainly was; they checked with Budget and told me I was not. My car was towed away and I was left with my wife and five year old daughter in the middle of town with no transport.

The following day, as soon as Budget opened (this was a Sunday) at 10am I rang Budget and had a two and a half hour conversation with them, during which time I was treated like a fool and lied to repeatedly. They squirmed and denied all responsibility until they finally agreed to listen to the recording and then I was passed over to another member of staff who said they were at fault and could I think of a sum I thought was fair for compensation. I was close to tears by this time, and if you listen to the recording (I have a copy) you will see why.

Subsequent to this there have been all sorts of ridiculous events; I was awarded 6 points and a £600 fine at court, which was then quoshed but took an age to filter through to the DVLA so I have had Bailiffs knocking on the door, and effectively have served a 7 day driving ban. Budget have paid for the car to be removed from the compound, and for two taxis, but we are massively out of pocket as there have been all sorts of fees, loss of earnings and other compounded problems. They have offered us £100 as a 'goodwill gesture'. I find this insulting as the fees that have been accrued as a result of all this are more than that.

Budget have admitted fault but have misled me, avoided me and patronised me throughout. If this had been an elderly couple, or even someone who could have easily afforded to 'let it slide' I am sure they would have got away with it, so to speak. I have copies of all conversations, including all the initial denials, and am able to make them available to you, or in fact anyone else.

Thanks for reading this. Waddya reckon?

Not sure. Have you added up all the costs you've incurred and presented them to Budget (preferably in writing)?

Why not list them to BBC or here so we can get a clearer idea?

neilyweely · 28 March 2013 at 1:09AM

OK, do you mean bank costs, court costs, my costs or all the costs. Anyway - I will get the bank statements and figure it out. I did know, but cannot remember exactly.
I received what amounted to a 10 day ban for this, although it was all wiped off my licence, I still had to stop driving and working.
I would love to be able to let you hear the transcripts - they were appalling.
So, thanks for your prompt reply. Goodnight.