The AA

Sadly 'auto renewal' is a very common practice now. Companies tend to use weaselly phrases like "to ensure you're always covered" or "for your convenience" etc for justifying the alleged benefits of auto renewal. Yeah whatever. Basic human nature dictates that if insurance cover is already in place and payment sorted then as consumers we're far more likely to simply take the easy way out and not bother shopping around for better or alternative deals. While it is worth searching through your mother in laws contract letter with the AA and small print just in case the company got it wrong, I suspect that somewhere along the line she agreed.

Until two years ago I had been with the AA for about six years and I cancelled my subscription partly for this very reason. I was aware that I was on auto renewal and percentage wise the annual cost of subscription went up year on year by way, way over the rate of inflation or a reasonable amount. It simply got to the point where I thought the company was simply taking the mickey. Another reason why I cancelled my AA subscription was their never ending obsession with wanting to get hold of me by phone, text and post wanting me to rate their performance as a ruse to engage me to then try and sell me something else.

Given your situation, if your mother in law wishes to remain with the AA then I would be inclined to put in writing that you wish her to be removed from auto renewal - and then at renewal time, to phone them and ask for a better deal. I switched to Green Flag and got a much cheaper deal for a similar (although not exactly the same) level of cover. While their prices have also increased a little, their rise is not as harsh as the AA and thank goodness they haven't bothered contacting me relentlessly to sell me other services.

agrinnall wrote: »

I read it as she can't read at all, not that she can't read English. And while that may be shameful, it's more likely to be an indictement of the Spanish education system than the fault of the individual.

And you really believe that British kids don't leave school not being able to read or right?

I recall the days when the AA man stood at the side of the road and saluted any driver passing displaying their yellow badge.

Forward fast to the 80s when my Audi Coupe GT decided to conk out in Cannon Street in London. I phoned from a call box at 5pm and in the next four hours of waiting I saw the rush hour from start to finish and as Cannon Street is two lanes my car, too heavy to push, blocked one lane causing absolute chaos.

Forward fast to today and now the once proud flagship motoring organisation is robbing money from little old ladies. Shame on them.

OP I thought the companies were obliged to put in writing some time before renewal that the auto renewal was taking place. If they haven't done this then there may be better grounds for a refund.