AA Continuous Annual Payment

cairndog

If I'm on a continuous (or recurring) annual payment for breakdown insurance and the AA say that the cancellation period is 14 days
" --- commencing either from the renewal date or the receipt of the documents, whichever happens later. "

How can this be the case for an annual renewal payment (which hasn't run out and will not be paid until it does,) when they always send the documents ahead of the renewal date ?

I intend to cancel this agreement before the renewal date but how can they try to shorten the cooling off period by sending the documents early, surely this is against the rules ?

Also as I've paid them for a years cover aren't they obliged to continue my breakdown cover until the renewal date ?

Any advice or suggestions please.

Gromitt

cairndog wrote: »

I intend to cancel this agreement before the renewal date but how can they try to shorten the cooling off period by sending the documents early, surely this is against the rules ?

Also as I've paid them for a years cover aren't they obliged to continue my breakdown cover until the renewal date ?

They are not, read the bit you quoted again, in particular where it says "whichever happens later.". So you have 14 days to cancel as from your renewal date (which will be the date your cover expires), or from when you receive the documents if that happens later. So if you cancel after they have taken the funds, they'll refund those funds (as long as you've not used the service since the renewal date)

InsideInsurance

The purpose of the cooling off period is to give you time to check over the policy to ensure its fit for purpose. On that basis it really doesnt matter when they send the documents as long as you read them when you get them.

As has been said though it is the LATER of the two dates that you have so you still have up to 14 into the policy to cancel even if they send you the docs 6 months early. Remember however that just because you have a cooling off period doesnt mean its free to cancel during that period, it just means you can cancel.

Atidi

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The purpose of the cooling off period is to give you time to check over the policy to ensure its fit for purpose. On that basis it really doesnt matter when they send the documents as long as you read them when you get them.

As has been said though it is the LATER of the two dates that you have so you still have up to 14 into the policy to cancel even if they send you the docs 6 months early. Remember however that just because you have a cooling off period doesnt mean its free to cancel during that period, it just means you can cancel.

As long as you cancel within 14 days of the renewal date or the receipt of the documents, whichever happens later (and you have not used the service since the renewal date) then the AA will provide a full refund of any money taken.

InsideInsurance

Atidi wrote: »

As long as you cancel within 14 days of the renewal date or the receipt of the documents, whichever happens later (and you have not used the service since the renewal date) then the AA will provide a full refund of any money taken.

It was a general warning rather than explicit to the AA and their current terms. Too many think that cooling off automatically means you can cancel cost free in that period

cairndog

Thanks for replies - - - -

So as most breakdown insurance doesn't cover you for the first 14 days, can I take a new policy with someone else before the AA one runs out, so I won't be without any cover ( and could get £50 cashback ) ?
If I had a breakdown within the 14 day period it would be VERY expensive so I don't want to do that.
Legally I probably wouldn't be covered until the first one runs out anyway?

colsten

You can pay for as many breakdown covers as you like, at the same time.When it comes to claims, you just need to check what if anything the T&Cs say abut concurrent covers.

thunderella

cairndog wrote: »

Thanks for replies - - - -

So as most breakdown insurance doesn't cover you for the first 14 days, can I take a new policy with someone else before the AA one runs out, so I won't be without any cover ( and could get £50 cashback ) ?
If I had a breakdown within the 14 day period it would be VERY expensive so I don't want to do that.
Legally I probably wouldn't be covered until the first one runs out anyway?

If you are considering cover from a different provider, I would suggest Autoaid
http://www.autoaidbreakdown.co.uk/
Full UK cover (European can be bought extra) for less than £40 :beer:
This is essentially an insurance policy (i.e you generally pay & reclaim) Reviews are generally good and it's recommended by this site
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/car-insurance/breakdown-cover#BBtwo

Cover commences from midnight on the day after they receive payment.

Alternatively, if you want a more conventional breakdown cover, I was watching Judge Rinder on ITV last week and there was a case on there where a kid broke down in his car, and someone else paid for RAC cover with their card, and the RAC then attended to the breakdown. So there didn't seem any delay at all. (The cost for cover was well over £100 :eek:)

Gromitt

cairndog wrote: »

Thanks for replies - - - -

So as most breakdown insurance doesn't cover you for the first 14 days

If I had a breakdown within the 14 day period it would be VERY expensive so I don't want to do that.

You are reading the T&Cs wrong, for example the RAC state that its only the first 24 hours you would be without cover on a new membership (and there's exceptions to that), the 14 days only applies to Tyre rescue, Key replace and Garage parts and labour (section E, I and J), something I don't normally ask for.