AA renewed my insurance before deadline

hubb

I am miffed as to why AA insurance have told me "thank you for renewing" when the date for renewal is the 11th. I wanted to change to another provider tomorrow and they seem to have taken the money already. Surely I can ask for a refund ?

jeddentad

It should say on your renewal paperwork when they will take the cash for the renewal.

For example, my insurance renews on the 10th, and in the renewal paperwork it states that the renewal will be processed and the money taken 3 days prior.

Buzby

Not a chance - they tell you when then take the policy out it will auto-renew, unless you tell them not to. In the absence of this instruction, you've agreed to it and will pay cancellation charges. That's why they take plastic and banned cheques.

[Deleted User]

There is the cooling off period, which also applies to auto-renewals. Call them and don't take no for an answer. They will try to fob you off, you will have to fight.

hubb

Buzby wrote: »

Not a chance - they tell you when then take the policy out it will auto-renew, unless you tell them not to. In the absence of this instruction, you've agreed to it and will pay cancellation charges. That's why they take plastic and banned cheques.

Really? I dont think so. I have not asked them to renew, they just assume. Like the next poster says, i have a cooling off period.

Buzby

No - you misunderstand. They have already told you some 11 months earlier that they will auto-renew. They do not have to ask you again if you have not responded to their letter rejecting their process. As you provided a payment method they could use to take a further payment and additionally did not object to this, the consumer isn't on shaky ground - they are at the insurer's mercy.

Next, your cooling off period. There is none. This is part if the continuous insurance regime, whereby your cooling off is restricted to the initial agreement for a policy not for any subsequent extension (where the policy in force does not materislly change).

System

If they say it will auto renew on the 11th, surely they are in breach of contract if they renew before that date?

mills705

Read the initial renewal letter.... If you pay annually they usually take the payment on the day of renewal...
It could be that as you have left it to within 5 days of a near enough time cycle they take the lack of response as a sign of you wanting to renew and send you out a certificate accordingly. Meaning you can still cancel of you want to.

rs65

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

If they say it will auto renew on the 11th, surely they are in breach of contract if they renew before that date?

The contract says you need to advise them 7 days in advance if you are not renewing.

magpiecottage

If you get another insurer in place tomorrow (i.e. 7 July) and ring to tell them you are not renewing they will probably reverse it - rather than risk a £550 FOS fee to argue the toss.

hubb

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

If they say it will auto renew on the 11th, surely they are in breach of contract if they renew before that date?

There is nothing on my letter about renewell stating they will take the money before. They state very clearly that if they dont hear from me they will renew. On the 11th. Its in wrting and proof that i am legally able to decline without paying.