RAC keep taking money early!

Matilda1

We have had one of our cars insured with RAC since February this year and they for the past three months they have taken the direct debit 1-2 days early.

I'm currently on maternity so money is a little tight. Because of this we have set up all of our direct debits at specific times in the month to ensure they all get paid whilst leaving us some in the bank to live off each week.

Last month they took their payment a day early but luckily we had enough in the account with a little left over. The month before it went out 2 days early and there was not enough in there. I had to ring and pay the usual amount plus a £25 fee (which I know is normal practice for most insurers) When I asked if it was possible to call back the next day (the actual day it was supposed to be paid) and pay as that was my husbands payday they said if I did that I would have to pay the outstanding balance and our policy would still be cancelled! The 'helpful' man on the phone suggested I use a credit card/payday loan/borrow from family or friend!

So this month I've had enough! Logged in this morning to mobile banking to see £70 available until tomorrow (husbands payday). Luckily I checked account again before I went food shopping to see that they have taken the money 1 day early again. This leaves us with no money for food etc! We don't have this problem with any other companies and it's causing a lot of stress.

So after my very long post (sorry!) I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do about this? If I cancel our policy I'm guessing there will be astronomical charges but can I complain to anyone, will it do any good? Can't wait until our policy is up for renewal but I'm guessing they'll make that as difficult as possible!

Thanks for any advice.

dunstonh

Are you sure that they are using the date in the month that you want it to be?

can I complain to anyone

RAC.

I would check the last notification of payments they sent you. This will have the direct debit dates on it. If they are wrong, you can show the bank and the bank should refund the charges as the payment has failed under the direct debit guarantee scheme.

My gut feeling though is that the date you think it should be and the date it is set up to are two different things and typically the documents they would issue would match the payment date as that sort of notification is automated.

---lee---

Ask them to move the direct debit date to a few days after your husbands pay day? Most of my direct debits come out about 5 days after I'm paid.

agrinnall

Once you have checked the date on which the DD should be taken and confirmed that RAC are taking it early, a) do as dunstonh says and complain to the RAC - at the very least you should expect to get back any additional payments you seem to have had to make, and b) if it happens again, contact your bank straight away and insist that they replace the money under the DD guarantee.