RAC - cancel auto renewal and get beakdown cover discounts EVERY year

coolsociety

First of all I have noticed that a lot of people have complained over the years about not being notified about RAC's auto renewal. When I joined (online) recently the membership details on screen clearly stated that "We automatically renew your policy so you don't have to", or words to that effect.

So first of all NOTE the renewal date - use an online or phone or paper calendar to remind you at least a month in advance, and check the time limit for cancellations - for the RAC it's 14 days by phone or in writing

So there are a number of things you can do to avoid this.
1. Simply write to them - I recommend recorded delivery - to ask them not to renew the policy. Ask - no, TELL them to send you a letter of confirmation of cancellation. THIS IS PARTICULARLY ESSENTIAL if you phone to cancel instead, I have been caught out in the past where the company concerned (almost every company who renews automatically uses this scam) denies any knowledge of ever having received the phone call, and you can't prove otherwise)

2. Pay by debit or credit card then ask your bank to change your debit card, tell them you have lost it or something. Make sure your new card has a different number.

3. My favourite for this type of thing, pick up a prepaid Visa/Mastercard (there are dozens to choose from, usually free), use it ONLY to pay for your RAC membership then bin it. If there is no money on the card they can't take any!

4. If you have paid by direct debit simply cancel it. ALWAYS do this for car insurance, many companies continue to take payments after you have cancelled and I pay hardly anybody by D/D anyway for this reason. I ALWAYS cancel the D/D immediately after the final payment has been taken.

Word of warning - DO NOT rely on the direct debit guarantee scheme, the bank will only refund if the payment is taken "in error" but if the company disagree that the payment was not due to them you won't get it back and the bank will not help or care. Always remember that the main purpose of any business is to get your cash into their bank.

Back to breakdown cover, you can cancel then switch to an another company (e.g. AA, Green Flag) each year and get the intro discount each time. Cycle them like this and you get the cheapest possible cover every single year together with the respective cashback deals and will save a packet.

RAC Cancellation:
By phone: 0844 891 3111 - remember you might pay more than local rates from a mobile phone

In writing (recommended):
RAC Motoring Services
Great Park Road
Bradley Stock
Bristol
BS32 4QN