3 years of breakdown cover for a car I dont own

BestBefore1999

Hi all.
Looking to find out about my rights before I call the AA tomorrow.
I have just discovered that my breakdown cover renews automatically and I've paid for 3 years of cover for a car that I sold in Feb 2015. I know it seems odd that I've only just noticed but I NEVER let companies automatically renew. I always pay in full and ensure that I find the best deal every year for things like insurance. I didn't even know that I still had breakdown cover never mind for the wrong car because part of my money saving was to let it lapse as I'd never needed it. I had received letters but I assumed they were trying to get me to renew so I just scanned over them and binned them - turns out all the info is on the back!
I admit it's a bit ridiculous and maybe I chalk it up to experience but surely it's similar to insurance in that I can't buy cover for a car i dont own? I'm sure that they wouldn't have come out to rescue me in a breakdown once they discovered it was a different car so they weren't providing a service for me at all.
Any advice? Anyone know what I should do? Any chance I'll be refunded.....?

AdrianC

...and you didn't notice the payment leaving your account? DD or continuous credit card authority?


You can buy insurance for a car you don't own - and if you were to lease a car, you'd need to.
If you call them out and you're in a different car, that doesn't mean you don't still own the one that's covered. Perhaps you have more than one car in the family?

As for a refund, how far into the current policy are you? For the years that have expired... not a hope. For the current one, perhaps, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

sevenhills

BestBefore1999 wrote: »

Any advice? Anyone know what I should do? Any chance I'll be refunded.....?

I hate auto re-new too, you have got to be weary. Tell them to cancel and you will never use the AA again, but your next policy will probably use it.
I went with Green Flag after the AA, but Green Flag I believe also use auto re-new.

BestBefore1999

Thanks for your message.
Its been paid by continuous authority.
Nope, i didnt notice it which i am embarrassed about.
We previously owned that car but sold it car and bought our new one.
Policy renewed beginning of August.

BestBefore1999

Thanks.
I'll cancel this morning and try to find a company that dont auto renew.

AdrianC

BestBefore1999 wrote: »

I'll ... try to find a company that dont auto renew.

Surely it's better to choose the most suitable provider based on their product and pricing, and simply keep an eye on your finances and post?

Norman_Castle

I'm sure that they wouldn't have come out to rescue me in a breakdown once they discovered it was a different car so they weren't providing a service for me at all.

They did for a friend who had changed her car but not her details.

loskie

maybe the best money saving tip here is to read your post\mail

bigisi

sevenhills wrote: »

I hate auto re-new too, you have got to be weary. Tell them to cancel and you will never use the AA again, but your next policy will probably use it.
I went with Green Flag after the AA, but Green Flag I believe also use auto re-new.

What's being tired got to do with anything?

DottieDam

This happened to me, well it auto-renewed and I noticed the same month so not quite the same but they did give me a refund.

So as mentioned above you might have a chance for this year while the previous two years will be chalked up to experience.

Jackmydad

The real answer is to check your statement every month (at least)
I use a simple free program to keep track of income and outgoings, and it soon throws up any anomalies.
I don't like auto renew though.