Companies who record calls - how long do they keep them?

[Jbck]

Does anyone know how long on average a company will keep specific calls for? DH & I are pursuing a long-running dispute with a company. The call in question has just been mentioned by them in their latest correspondence, despite the fact the call was made to us in September 2003 & we started dispute in August 2004.
DH has maintained all along that company did not mention specific exclusions to an insurance policy during call yet it has only now come to light that they allegedly still have the call recording. I am extremely dubious that this is the case.
Under DPA or FOI I presume we would be entitled to copy of recording (don't want a transcript), does anyone know if legally we can ask for that? Don't want to bother solicitor as we'll probably get billed for asking questions unless we have to so I thought I'd rely on the Power of Mumsnet first.
TIA

If they still have the recording then yes under the DPA you are entitled to ANY information held about you.....so I should say so.

I agree with TQOQ. Under the Data Protection Act the company in question must release all information they hold on you.

Thanks guys, does it seem odd to you that they have only just said that they still have the call? There is much more in question tbh but I can't believe they've never mentioned it till now if they genuiunely have it.

Depends on how much info you or they originally had as to when EXACTLY the call took place. Unless you have a pretty clear idea of time / date, it's often quite hard to track down call recordings on older telephone systems.

We know the date LA but would be guessing at the time, they allege they still have it but I wonder if it'll mysteriously go missing if we ask for a copy.
Debate has been ongoing since Aug 2004 & despite numerous telephone conversations & letters back & forth no-one ever mentioned that they still had call recording till we threatened court action. I'm thinking it's a bluff to make us back down.

Hi they will have notes on your records of when they have spoken to you and who you spoke to i work for an insurance company and i have to make notes on every call even if its to check our address to be compliant with the fsa law so they should have no problem chasing the recording of a particular call dont let them pull the wool over your eyes insurances companys love not to pay imo.

They might well - I work for a financial institution and we routinely keep call records of client communications for 6-7 years. I'd ask for a copy and see where it gets you.

Some companies will only give a transcript but others will provide a copy tape.

Are the exclusions mentioned in the policy document or schedule? Is a dispute over a claim rejection?

HappyMummy v long story, they have admitted that maybe they were slightly misleading but are still caliming certain things were said to DH in call that he is 100% certain were not. They have offered us an ex-gratia payment and advise that they accept no liability. The letter that mentions the call recording contradicts itself at every turn.
What surprises me is that no one previously mentioned they still had call recording despite it's content being one of the major reasons we appealed against their decision. The correspondence has been ongoing since 2004 so why has no one examined content till now or at least mentioned script they would normally use?

I imagine if it imminently going to become a court matter they have done a Data Protection exercise to collate all correspondance with you, for their evidence?