Direct debit not taken

Cmsmith

Hi I'm wondering if anyone can help me. My direct debit for my home insurance was supposed to be taken 5 days ago. I have been with the same company for 2 years and never had an issue. When I realised it hadn't been taken, I called the company and they said it had been paid on the day it was supposed to be debited from my account and there was no problem. When it still hadn't left my bank 2 days later, I called my bank, spent over an hour on hold only to be told the company never requested it. The bank assured me they have been sufficient funds there all week and it had not bounced, it just has never been requested and to call back my insurance. I did this and they said as far as they could see, it had been paid and there was nothing I could do. I don't want to wait until they realise they haven't been paid, then start demanding the full sum, or worse...cancel my insurance. But I've called both the bank and the insurance and they have both said, there's nothing I can do at this time. 

Neil_Jones

Well five days ago was last Saturday so it wouldn't have gone then anyway, presume you mean the 28th?

This happens on occasion, if the insurance says it has been paid then leave it at that.  But keep the money in your account anyway for when they do notice.  They will when somebody reconciles the records.

Ballard

The way that direct debits work is that the originator (insurance company) will be credited by their bank and they will request money from your bank. Your bank will then debit your account and send the money to their bank (or request a refund if they are unable to debit you for any reason). This will be done in bulk rather than individually so Lloyds will send one payment to Barclays covering all direct debits due that day. 

If there’s been a breakdown along the way for some reason your insurer will have the cash but you won’t have been debited. It should sort itself out at some point so unless this drags on for weeks I wouldn’t worry too much but keep a note of everything you’ve done to advise all parties and ensure that you have sufficient funds in your account to meet the debit. 

Cmsmith

Thank you guys, it turned out to be a technical issue and was resent a week later and went through fine. 

Grandad99

That answers the first part of my question. I signed up for an annual lawn maintenance service 3 months ago and signed a monthly direct debit.  They have carried out the first treatment and I get their e-mails but none of the dds have been taken.  When they realise this can they collect them all or hopefully just the current months? 

bradders1983

They can collect them all in one go but they have to inform you they are going to do this.

born_again

Grandad99 said:

That answers the first part of my question. I signed up for an annual lawn maintenance service 3 months ago and signed a monthly direct debit.  They have carried out the first treatment and I get their e-mails but none of the dds have been taken.  When they realise this can they collect them all or hopefully just the current months? 

You sure it's not a annual DD?