Accident Recovery using Breakdown Cover

MarkAtkins67

I recently had to call breakdown out following an accident in which my car wasn't 100% drivable. I rang my breakdown company and was told someone will be with me within an hour but to note I may incur a charge if the vehicle doesn't roll (I.E. wheels fallen off, not spinning etc) as it would need specialist equipment to tow. I agreed to THIS and breakdown came out.

They attached a winch to the car as the battery had gone dead so wouldn't start (left lights on as it was at night). They winched it onto a trailer, got it home and I signed for the car and they left. No specialist equipment needed.

Today I received a letter saying I owe them £245 (not including VAT) for towing my car a massive 2 miles up the road! I found out they don't cover accident recoveries and I should of been told this upon ringing and they shouldn't of dispatched anyone at all as they don't even come out if you offer to pay!

I had a friend ring them today and before they even asked for her membership number they said "We don't cover accident damaged vehicles anymore" ... When she asked if they'd come out if she paid for it they said "This isn't a service we offer"

The car was still running and I had the option of waiting for free recovery from the Police (this could of took up to 3 hours which is why I used breakdown) so does anyone know what I can do about this?

I don't mind paying a bit, but the full £245 + VAT for something I wasn't told about is taking the p**s. If they'd of told me I wouldn't of bothered and I'd of drove it back! I could of hired a low loader for £60 or got my regular mechanic to pick it up in the morning for £15 so this £245 seems wildly inflated to me!

DCFC79

When I had an issue with the breakdown company last year or the rep that was sent out I complained and the head of customer services had listened to the call and agreed with my complaint.

Complain by letter ad be adament you wont pay as you weren't told about the cost.

daveyjp

Is your insurance company involved?

InsideInsurance

Obviously complain that you were given wrong information over the phone.

Increasingly breakdown companies dont cover accident recovery. Likewise motor insurers are also increasingly removing this coverage with the race to the bottom.

Unless the police have changed, they dont recover it for free either

Building_Surveyor

I've never heard of the police recovering for free either. More than likely they call their contracted tow company and send you the bill later on. The police don't have their own tow trucks.

AdrianC

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Obviously complain that you were given wrong information over the phone.

They will almost certainly have a recording of the call, which can be reviewed to make sure that the complaint is valid.

Increasingly breakdown companies dont cover accident recovery. Likewise motor insurers are also increasingly removing this coverage with the race to the bottom.

Indeed. The breakdown companies charge in the full expectation that the bill will be passed on to the insurance company. When a friend called the RAC the other day for an accident-damaged trailer, they were told the call-out charge was something like £75, plus £1.60/mile, plus minimum £160 for "specialist equipment".