to be annoyed with the rac

[hildathebuilder]

My mil died on wednesday, very suddenly. She went into hospital at 1.30 am feeling ok nand not being sure why the paramedics had taken her there after she pressed her emergency buzzer thing when she fell out of bed, to dieing by 11 am for a reason which is currently unknown (post mortem was inconclusive and we may now have an inquest).

My husband and I are trying to get things in order, and as we can't yet fix the funeral as we have no death certificate, we are trying to do other things.

Anyway this includes cancelling various things, and most companies have been fine with this, BT have even processed a refund on her telephone. But apparently the RAC cannot cancel the membership or refund any part of the fee even though the driver is dead and the car is now off road.

IABU to think this seems a bit off, and that they ought to be able to do something given they have had the money to in effect insure someone who will never now claim on the policy given she is after all dead.

[Groovee]

My mum had problems with hydro electric as my gran had changed suppliers just 3 weeks before she died and they tried to say we were lying!!! There's always one company who is a PITA when someone dies. Sorry for your loss xx

[birdofparadise]

YANBU but is it worth the fight? You probably have lots of other stuff to concentrate on (perhaps that is what they rely on....). Many condolences and I hope you can have a funeral soon.

[GrimmaTheNome]

YANBU, that's more than a bit off. You probably have too much on your plate to complain right now, but if you can find the time, you should.

[eurochick]

That is definitely a bit off. Have you tried escalating your query?

[fanjobanjowanjo]

Thats bullshit they are feeding you. How on earth can they justify keeping a membership of a deceased person???!!!

I'd send them a cancellation letter with a copy of the death cert in when you get it. In the meantime, just cancel any Direct Debit going to them.

Companies are VERY insensitive, I lost my mum 6 years ago, and I still get post from virgin gyms encouraging my mum to rejoin, despite many letters and phone calls.

[Andrewofgg]

Spot on fanjo (and I like your nickname) - except that once you give notice to the bank that the account-holder is dead all direct debits are stopped immediately. Any unpaid cheques are bounced, too - there used to be an exception for cheque cards but of course they've been done away with.

So if OP's MIL paid by DD that will soon stop.

[GrimmaTheNome]

Things like RAC subs are often paid yearly in advance - I inferred that the OP was hoping for a pro rata refund, which seems a perfectly reasonable expectation since it is a form of insurance and they now have 100% certainty of no further risk.

[wicketkeeper]

Had she called them out at all? They are very unlikely to give a refund if the service has been used since the last renewal date. But if she hadn't then definitely insist on speaking to supervisor/duty manager - keep going up until you come to someone who actually can do something about it. Like you need the hassle.

[hildathebuilder]

it had been paid yearly in advance, and no she hadn't called them out (she wasn't driving since the renewal as her arthritis flared up etc) but I suspect I can't be doing with the argument