Problem with breakdown service

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 11:57

Hello all!

Quick situation explanation and advice please: (I do accept part responsibility)

I lent my car (1995 Peugeot 306 diesel sedan) to a good friend in need 4 weeks ago. The second day he had the car, it broke down on the M25. I found out later that evening that he had called a recovery service, which had collected him and taken the car + a long trailer to his destination. I had assumed he had called his recovery service.

Onto yesterday: I get a letter from my (ex) recovery service that as my policy had lapsed, I am liable to pay recovery fees. It turns out that my friend had found the details of my recovery service in the car and called that number. Five days before the breakdown, I had changed insurers (recovery service was coupled to the insurance), and, as such, was not covered. The recovery service, though, did not tell my friend that the policy had lapsed.

The total cost of the recovery is £160, which I find to be extortionate for the 17 miles from the breakdown to his destination.

Do I have a leg to stand on to dispute this bill? As they did not tell my friend that the breakdown cover was not valid, he did not have the chance to find any other options.

I am not trying to get out of paying completely, but I do find the cost to be slightly outrageous. I have phoned the company, and one of their "customer service managers" is currently being consulted.

sung

Jez · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:03

Pass it to your friend and let him deal with it? Its his bill, obviously he will offer to pay it.

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:06

I have talked to my friend about it, and he is willing to pay for the costs, but both of us find those to be outrageous. The bill is still in my name, though, as it was my car.

sung

vanandjuanunited · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:07

He should have checked with you before ringing.
Sorry - used a service - got to pay for it now.

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:08

Breaking news: I got a call from the company, and they say that it is their policy not to inform the person calling the breakdown service that the cover has lapsed. They say they don't want to "create panic". :rolleyes:

Situation still ongoing though.

sung

Jez · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:08

I highly doubt you can do anything about it, your friend called a service which was then provided in full to him, and he no doubt signed to confirm.

Crappy bill for just one breakdown, but i'd just get him to pay it, and then tell him that if he ever needs the car again then he should call me first and make sure that the breakdown service is actually covered this time!

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:11

He tried calling me, but I was at work... I agree completely that some amount needs to be paid. With the current situation, he was involuntarily agreeing to a service without being aware that it would cost him, nor how much. Do you not find that to be silly?

sung

vanandjuanunited · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:12

sung said:
He tried calling me, but I was at work... I agree completely that some amount needs to be paid. With the current situation, he was involuntarily agreeing to a service without being aware that it would cost him, nor how much. Do you not find that to be silly?

sung

Wheres the involuntary bit. He rang and accepted the service. :confused:

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:15

You are right, the involuntary bit is superfluous. I was trying a little bit too hard to state my point. Probably should rephrase.

"With the current situation, he was agreeing to a service without being aware that it would cost him, nor how much."

sung

vanandjuanunited · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:16

sung said:
You are right, the involuntary bit is superfluous. I was trying a little bit too hard to state my point. Probably should rephrase.

"With the current situation, he was agreeing to a service without being aware that it would cost him, nor how much."

sung

So its his problem then. Thread cosed.

Jez · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:17

Whilst i can see that it is annoying, its not exactly the end of the world is it?

Just pay it and be done with it, i cant see how you could possibly fight it as the service was provided after being requested, and no doubt they have signatures showing that your friend accepted any charges.

Sagalout · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:22

Do you currently have other breakdown cover? If not maybe see if they will drop the full charge if you pay for a years cover?

They might do this - I know if you breakdown you can join RAC from the side of the road and they will send someone straight out.

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:23

william- Well, I take it to be my problem too. He is a good friend, and £160 is still quite a bit of money.

Jez- It is annoying, and no, it isn't the end of the world. I simply find the business practice to be wrong, as I stand by my assertion that he was unaware that the service would cost him, and how much. There is no transparency, and in this case that works very much in the companies favour.

sung

Ring Peace · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:23

sung said:
Breaking news: I got a call from the company, and they say that it is their policy not to inform the person calling the breakdown service that the cover has lapsed. They say they don't want to "create panic".

Situation still ongoing though.

sung

Just because it is "company policy" doesn't mean it is lawfully correct, as with most of these things go and try the citizens advice bureau.

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:25

Sagalout said:
Do you currently have other breakdown cover? If not maybe see if they will drop the full charge if you pay for a years cover?

They might do this - I know if you breakdown you can join RAC from the side of the road and they will send someone straight out.

Didn't think of that: very good idea! I'll keep that in mind...

sung

Firestar_3x · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:29

Was the cover on the car or on a named person and who could use that cover, if it was for any driver then thats ok but if it was just for you in that car then anyone could phone up and bill you, RAC ask for proof of membership when you call and i think when the turn up, could use that as a fighting point.

Celestial Caravan · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:30

I don't think that is a particularly high fee for recovery from a motorway. But I don't think you should pay it anyway. You did not form a contract with them in any way. No contract - no fee.

Your mate, on the other hand, could be liable - and probably is.

Celestial Caravan · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:31

Firestar_3x said:
Was the cover on the car or on a named person and who could use that cover,

there was no cover. It had lapsed. Did you read the OP?

Firestar_3x · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:34

Celestial Caravan said:
there was no cover. It had lapsed. Did you read the OP?

Yes thanks i did.....

he phoned up using an existing number, gave the plate of the car or his policy number, be that lapsed or not it doesn't really matter does it, did the original policy state what i said above?

sung · 18 Aug 2006 at 12:52

Firestar_3x said:
Yes thanks i did.....

he phoned up using an existing number, gave the plate of the car or his policy number, be that lapsed or not it doesn't really matter does it, did the original policy state what i said above?

I can't remember offhand whether it was the car or car + named driver which was covered. I suspect it was the car.

sung