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Terms and Conditions

Breakdown Repair Cover Booklet and Arrangement and Administration Contract

Important information: please read and retain

Last updated: November 2007

Welcome to AA Breakdown Repair Cover

Congratulations, you're covered by AA Breakdown Repair Cover in addition to your AA Membership. So now, if the AA can't fix your nominated vehicle at the roadside under your AA Membership, or a part is needed to complete a repair, this policy can help cover the costs involved, even the costs of labour if the repair has to be undertaken by a garage.

AA Breakdown Repair Cover involves entering into a contract for this insurance cover with Automobile Association Underwriting Services Limited, which is detailed in this booklet. It also involves entry into a contract with us, Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited ('AAIS'), under which we have agreed to arrange and administer your AA Breakdown Repair Cover. Please refer to the 'AA Breakdown Repair Cover Arrangement and Administration Contract', which includes important information about the arrangement and administration of your AA Breakdown Repair Cover. The Premium due under the policy and the fee for our arranging and administering your cover are detailed in the Membership letter provided to you, and together these amounts make up the total cost of your AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

See details on how to make a claim.

Contents

Useful contact information

If you break down, call for AA assistance under Your AA Membership 0800 88 77 66

Breakdown Repair Cover Claims Helpline 0845 604 0042

To renew your Breakdown Repair Cover 0800 435 980

To make changes or enquire about Breakdown Repair Cover 0870 544 4444

To write to the Claims Department:
The Claims Department
Breakdown Repair Cover
AAWS
Lambert House
Stockport Road
Cheadle
Cheshire SK8 2DY

Information is available in large print, audio and Braille on request. Please call 0800 262 050 for details. Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired customers who have a textphone can call 0800 32 82 810.

Calls may be recorded and monitored for quality assurance and compliance.

AA Breakdown Repair Cover Policy – Your Contract with the Insurers

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully – if you have any queries, please contact the Claims Department on 0845 604 0042.

Practical advice: how to make a claim:

Step 1

If you break down, you must call for AA assistance under your AA Membership on 0800 887766 in order for any subsequent related claim under AA Breakdown Repair Cover to be considered.

If you are unsure what to do at any stage call the AA Breakdown Repair Cover Claims Helpline on 0845 604 0042.

Step 2

Where appropriate, and provided assistance is available under your AA Membership, the AA will attempt to fix the nominated vehicle and the parts required to fix it will be paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy (so long as they are eligible insured parts). You will need to pay the policy excess of £25.

Step 3

If the AA cannot fix the vehicle at the scene of the breakdown, it should be taken immediately to a garage of your choice which must be VAT registered. If required, the vehicle will be recovered in line with, and to the extent available under, your AA Membership entitlement.

Note: VAT will not be reimbursed if You are VAT registered.

Step 4

The garage you have chosen should, with your agreement, assess the repair and agree with you what work is required to repair the defect which led to the breakdown of the nominated vehicle. Once agreed, you should ask the garage to contact the Claims Helpline on your behalf on 0845 604 0042 to provide details of the required repair and obtain confirmation of cover before starting work. If the garage does not contact the Claims Helpline for you then you must do so and the claims advisor will tell you what to do next.

At that time the Claims Department will need:

  • Your details
  • the vehicle make, model and registration number
  • the vehicle's current mileage
  • costs of repair, detailing parts and labour charges
  • depending on the nature of the break down, the Claims Department may require evidence of the vehicle's service history (for example invoices) from the start date of your cover, so it is advisable to ensure that this information is readily accessible.

Step 5

The Claims Department will consider your claim and, where appropriate, confirm that the repair is covered under the terms of your AA Breakdown Repair Cover and arrange to make payment direct on your behalf to your repairer on completion of the repair. If the repairer will not proceed on this basis, then you will need to pay for the repair and send the fully itemised invoice, displaying the AA authority number provided to the Claims Department for reimbursement. Claims should be sent to the following address: The Claims Department, AA Breakdown Repair Cover, AAWS, Lambert House, Stockport Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2DY.

In most cases the Claims Department should be able to confirm immediately which of any of the repairs reported falls within the scope of AA Breakdown Repair Cover. However, in some circumstances the Insurer may appoint an independent engineer to inspect the vehicle to help the Insurer to decide whether the claim falls within your AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

Please note: The limit of cover is £500 (including VAT and subject to a £25 excess) per claim and you can make up to 5 paid claims a year (see below for further details).

Definition of words and phrases used in this policy

'AA' means The Automobile Association Limited or, where appropriate, its agents.

'Claims Department' means the Claims Department AA Breakdown Repair Cover, Automobile Association Warranty Services, Lambert House, Stockport Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2DY.

'Insurer' means Automobile Association Underwriting Services Limited.

'Mechanical or Electrical Failure' means the sudden and unforeseen breaking or burning out (electrical) of any insured parts.

'Wear and Tear' means the loss of a component's ability to function exactly as it was designed to do by the manufacturer due solely to time and mileage in operation.

'You/Your' means the insured customer, ie the person who bought or was given this cover

What AA Breakdown Repair Cover provides

AA Breakdown Repair Cover is provided by the Insurer. This policy helps cover the cost of repair work (parts and labour) following the breakdown of the nominated vehicle when it is attended to under Your AA Membership. Separate Terms and Conditions apply to AA Membership and are available on request.

Cover can be added to Your AA Membership (Personal or, as applicable, Vehicle Membership) to cover a nominated vehicle, provided that vehicle is eligible for cover and the appropriate premium has been paid (see under the heading 'Vehicles which can be covered under AA Breakdown Repair Cover', below). Cover is provided for the cost of repair or replacement of insured parts of the nominated vehicle where such repair or replacement is necessitated by a breakdown of that vehicle due to Mechanical or Electrical Failure, which occurs during a journey at a distance of more than a quarter of a mile from home, or (provided Home Start is included in Your AA Membership) in a Home Start situation.

Please note:
In order for Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover to apply, the nominated vehicle must:

  1. break down as a result of Mechanical or Electrical Failure, and
  2. as a result, be prevented from continuing its journey safely, and
  3. have been attended by the AA under Your AA Membership, and
  4. need the repair or replacement of insured part(s) to enable the journey to be resumed or, if applicable, commenced.

See under 'Parts insured under AA Breakdown Repair Cover' for details of insured parts

Important: You should read this booklet, in particular the 'Specific Exclusions' and 'Other Terms and Conditions of AA Breakdown Repair Cover' sections, in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions of Your AA Membership. If you have Continuous Membership you should also take note of the effect of this on the AA Breakdown Repair Cover terms as identified under the heading 'Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover: Variation of Terms'.

Commencement of Cover

Cover commences 14 days after Your agreed policy start date (this means that You cannot claim under your AA Breakdown Repair Cover for a breakdown which occurs before day 15) whether You are a new or existing Member.

However, no claims will be paid until Your payment for the policy has been confirmed. Please also see under the heading 'If You change Your vehicle'.

Period of Cover

Cover runs until the next renewal (or termination) of Your AA Membership, subject to the cancellation rights set out under the heading 'Cancellation of AA Breakdown Repair Cover'.

Claim Limit

This cover is limited to:

  • a claim limit of £500 (including VAT) per paid claim, subject to £25 excess (maximum amount payable per claim £475.00); and
  • a maximum of five paid claims per period of cover.

Vehicles which can be covered under AA Breakdown Repair Cover:

Cover is available for any vehicle which is eligible for breakdown assistance cover under Your AA Membership* (Personal or, as applicable, Vehicle Membership) excluding motor caravans, kit cars, taxis, private hire vehicles, any vehicles used for hire or reward, any vehicles used in the provision of courier services and any caravan or other trailer. A supplementary premium will be payable for eligible vehicles which are:

  • 10 years or more old when first registered with the Insurer; and/or
  • have 100,000 or more recorded miles at that time;

In addition, to be eligible for cover under AA Breakdown Repair Cover, any motorcycle must be a two wheeled motorcycle with an engine capacity of over 50cc.

Please note that the age of a vehicle will be taken from the date of its first registration with the DVLA except for imported vehicles where the month and year of manufacture will be used to determine age.

*Please see the terms and conditions of Your AA Membership, under vehicle specifications, for details of vehicle eligibility under AA Membership, which includes, but are not limited to:

  1. a maximum gross vehicle weight limit of 3.5 tonnes and
  2. requirements (for Vehicle Membership only) that a vehicle be registered with the AA and, if Roadside Assistance only is held, is no older than 10 years old when so registered.

Parts insured under AA Breakdown Repair Cover

Subject to the limits detailed and the Terms and Conditions of cover, AA Breakdown Repair Cover provides for the cost of repair or replacement of the following insured parts:

Diagram of a car

  1. The Engine
    All parts are covered other than exhaust systems.
  2. Engine Cooling System
    All parts are covered, other than in the case of damage or failure due to freezing, corrosion, erosion and blockage.
  3. Fuel System
    All parts are covered, other than in the case of damage or failure due to incorrect or contaminated fuel, internal blockage, adjustments and failure to meet current emission legislation.
  4. Clutch
    All parts are covered other than worn-out friction surfaces.
  5. Gearbox
    All parts are covered.
  6. Differential and Drive Line
    All parts are covered other than motorcycle drive chains and sprockets.
  7. Steering
    All parts are covered.
  8. Suspension
    All parts are covered other than wheels, tyres and suspension forks.
  9. Braking System
    All parts are covered other than worn-out friction surfaces.
  10. Electrical System
    All parts are covered including vehicle starter batteries other than sun roof motors and mechanisms, folding roof motors and mechanisms, window mechanisms (electrical and mechanical), door lock mechanisms (electrical and mechanical), ignition lock and barrel, lamps, bulbs, faulty connections, speedometer and odometer.

Other Insured Parts are:

  • Air conditioning compressor but not any other air conditioning components.
  • Front windscreen wiper linkages.

Housings and Casings
These are covered provided they are damaged by the failure of an insured part.

Other parts that are not covered

  • All body parts, roof frames, glass, non-glass windows, paint, upholstery, folding roof fabric, trim, cosmetic finishes, motorcycle frames and fairings;
  • Any equipment that is not fitted as standard by the manufacturer at the time of production.

Please also refer to the 'Specific Exclusions'.

Important note about consumables

The cost of replacing consumables, such as oils, filters, and antifreeze, is only included when the relevant consumable is replaced as part of a repair that is carried out, the cost of which forms part of a valid claim and where replacement is requested at the time authorisation is sought.

Specific Exclusions

Cover does not include the following:

  1. the first £25 of each claim;
  2. the VAT content of any claim where You are VAT registered;
  3. Mechanical or Electrical defects occurring prior to the purchase of this cover;
  4. defects You knew or ought reasonably to have known about prior to the commencement of the journey on which the Mechanical or Electrical Failure occurred;
  5. any defects reported to or by the AA patrol, or AA appointed garage agent, that are not connected to the initial cause of breakdown;
  6. modifications and/or alterations to manufacturer's original specification;
  7. any other defects identified by Your repairing garage not connected to the initial cause of the breakdown;
  8. any defects due to the poor maintenance of the vehicle, including cambelt failure and any consequential damage, when it cannot be established that the belt has been changed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations;
  9. any defects referred to a garage prior to AA attendance under Your AA Membership;
  10. Wear and Tear, unless it has caused an insured part to suffer a Mechanical or Electrical Failure;
  11. exhaust systems, wheels and tyres, sunroof motors and mechanisms, lights and bulbs, faulty connections, window mechanisms (mechanical and electrical), air conditioning components, speedometers and odometers; all body parts, locks and keys, ignition locks and barrels are excluded unless specifically listed as covered; all windows, paint, trim, upholstery, cosmetic finishes, folding roof motors, frame and fabric, fuel gauge; worn out clutch/friction surfaces, discs, brake pads or brake shoes, motorcycle drive chains and sprockets, motorcycle suspension forks, motorcycle frames and fairings;
  12. consequential damage of a non-insured part arising from the Mechanical or Electrical Failure of an insured part;
  13. repairs required due to incorrect or contaminated fuel;
  14. routine adjustments, phasing and calibration, internal blockage of fuel systems by contamination and failure to meet current emission legislation;
  15. any loss where the odometer has been tampered with, altered or disconnected or failed;
  16. cover against the cost of any replacement vehicle hired following a breakdown (cover may be available under Your AA Membership if the relevant benefit is held);
  17. the cost of repairing faults or damage caused by road traffic accidents, frost, freezing, corrosion, erosion, water ingress, theft or vandalism;
  18. defects or damage to the extent that these result from the use of the vehicle in any sort of competition, rally or racing of any kind;
  19. any liability for bodily injury, death, or damage to other persons or other property or any consequential loss of whatsoever nature whether arising directly or indirectly from an incident giving rise to a claim under this cover or otherwise;
  20. any loss or damage due to any type of fraud, misuse or any act or omission by You which is wilful, unlawful or negligent, including damage caused by continuing to drive the nominated vehicle after a fault has developed;
  21. damage recoverable under any other warranty or insurance; and the cost of repairs relating to damage caused by You or someone else not authorised to carry out a repair;
  22. the cost of repairs needed because of design or fault in manufacture; and
  23. accidental damage.

Please also refer to 'Parts insured under AA Breakdown Repair Cover' for further details on excluded parts and the position with consumables.

Other Terms and Conditions of AA Breakdown Repair Cover

What breakdowns does cover apply to?

1. In order for Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover to apply, the nominated vehicle must:

  1. break down as a result of Mechanical or Electrical Failure, and
  2. as a result, be prevented from continuing its journey safely, and
  3. have been attended by the AA under Your AA Membership, and
  4. need the repair or replacement of insured part(s) to enable the journey to be resumed or, if applicable, commenced.

Vehicle servicing obligations

2. For the duration of cover the nominated vehicle must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations (including as to service intervals). Service and mileage records are taken from the date the vehicle was first nominated for AA Breakdown Repair Cover. If You nominate a vehicle for cover (first nomination), then change the vehicle You wish to cover under AA Breakdown Repair Cover, and then renominate the original vehicle for cover at a later date (second nomination), provided it is still eligible, the service records will be required from the vehicle's first nomination for cover. Only service invoices will be accepted as proof of servicing and such invoices may be required by the Claims Department at the time claims are made. A suitable garage business must carry out servicing. It is Your responsibility to find out the nominated vehicle's servicing requirements and to adhere to them.

Where cover is available

3. Cover is not available for Members who live in the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. The nominated vehicle is covered in the UK (except for the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).

Recovery limited to that available under Your AA Membership

4. If a repair at the roadside is not possible, recovery to a garage will only be available in accordance with Your AA Membership entitlement: there is no separate/additional recovery entitlement under AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

Repair authorisation and contract

5. Repairs should not start until the Claims Department has agreed and has confirmed with You, or the repairer, that the relevant repairs are covered under Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

6. The fact that the AA has dispatched a patrol or agent does not necessarily mean that the repair will be covered by AA Breakdown Repair Cover, this will be assessed by the Claims Department.

7. If Your vehicle requires recovery (in line with Your AA Membership entitlement), the choice of repairer is Yours (subject to their being VAT registered) and any repairer appointed, whether direct by You, or on Your behalf, will carry out repair work to Your instruction and the contract for repair will be between You and the relevant repairer.

8. Any exploratory dismantling charges will only be paid for as part of a valid claim. It is Your responsibility to agree dismantling with Your chosen repairer and to pay their charges if, after dismantling, it is reasonably apparent that any defect found is not covered under AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

9. You will be liable for the cost of parts and labour if the repair is made to a vehicle other than the one nominated under AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

Limit on number of AA Breakdown Repair Cover policies You can have

10. You can only hold one AA Breakdown Repair Cover per AA Membership.

Interpretation: English language and the law

11. This cover is in addition to Your consumer rights in law and the parties to this policy are free to choose the law applicable to it. Without agreement to the contrary the law of England and Wales will apply. If You live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, You will be entitled to commence legal proceeding in Your local courts. The EEA State for the purpose of this policy is the United Kingdom. The Terms and Conditions of this policy are written in English and all correspondence entered into shall be in English.

Renewal/Changes

12. You may be contacted before Your cover ends and advised of any changes to price and cover if You are offered the chance to renew Your cover. This may include renewing Your cover with a different underwriter or notifying You of a future change if the underwriter of AA Breakdown Repair Cover has changed for new policies for any reason. The 14 day exclusion will not apply in future years where cover is continuous (except for change of vehicle, see under heading 'If You change Your vehicle'.

Cancellation of AA Breakdown Repair Cover

13 Your Right to Cancel: You have the right to cancel this cover within 14 days from Your receipt of Your policy documentation (the 'cooling off' period). You will be entitled to a full refund of Your total payment if You cancel during the cooling off period before Your cover commences (see 'Commencement of Cover' on page<0>). If You cancel during the cooling off period, but on or after Your cover commences, and no claim has been made, You will be entitled to a full refund of Your total payment. If a claim has been made during this period then You will be entitled to a full refund of Your total payment but You will need to reimburse the Insurer with the full amount of the claim. You should, if requested, promptly return any proof of entitlement provided and must not, in any event make any further claims under the cancelled cover.

If You wish to cancel after the cooling off period has expired, and subject to any other statutory rights You may have, the Insurer will not be obliged to give refunds for any un-expired portion of cover and, if You pay by instalments, You will still be obliged to complete any payment(s) due under Your instalment credit agreement in relation to the cover originally requested.

For the avoidance of doubt, there will be no separate or additional cooling off period(s) following, or in relation to, any change(s) made or requested during the currency of Your cover, for example, but not limited to, any change to the nominated vehicle.

Please note: You cannot suspend Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover

14. Insurer's right to cancel: Cover may be cancelled by the Insurer if:

  1. You have given false information; or
  2. the nominated vehicle is not eligible for cover; or
  3. You do not make a payment; or
  4. The AA and/or Insurer are not reasonably able to find parts or facilities to repair Your vehicle.

If Your cover is cancelled because parts or facilities are not available to repair Your nominated vehicle, You may be entitled to a refund based on how long is left of Your cover, provided no claims have been made.

Other drivers

15. Any person entitled to request assistance from the AA under Your AA Membership may make a claim on Your behalf following a breakdown in the vehicle.

If You change Your vehicle

16. You must let the Insurer know if You change Your vehicle. Please call 0870 544 4444 to update your details. You will not be able to make a claim in relation to a breakdown which occurs within 14 days after You have notified the change to the Insurer (which means You can only claim for a breakdown which occurs on or after day 15 from the notification of a vehicle change).

If Your new vehicle would have attracted a supplementary premium, had it been the vehicle first nominated for cover (see under the heading 'Vehicles which can be covered under AA Breakdown Repair Cover'), then the Insurer will be entitled to be paid an additional premium to transfer cover.

There will be no refund of any supplementary premium which has been paid in relation to any vehicle which was previously nominated under AA Breakdown Repair Cover, even where that supplement would not have applied to the vehicle for which a transfer of cover has been requested.

Sale and re-registration of a nominated vehicle

17. Cover cannot be transferred on the sale of Your vehicle to a new owner. In addition, the Insurer reserves the right not to re-register any vehicle that has been previously registered by You under this cover and will be entitled to require an additional premium if more than three registration changes have been requested in a Membership year.

Service Control – call out limits

18. Where You have been required to pay an additional premium for roadside assistance under the Service Control provisions of Your AA Membership this AA Breakdown Repair Cover Policy may still be valid. If the AA has refused to provide You with breakdown assistance for any reason, this will also apply to Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover Policy.

Autorenewal

19. If You have chosen to pay for Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover by Direct Debit, Continuous Credit Card, Monthly payments or Quarterly payments, Your cover will be automatically renewed at the end of each year. You will be sent a written reminder at least 4 weeks before Your renewal date to advise You of the amount due and, if applicable, the new Monthly payments You will pay. If You do not want Your cover to renew on this basis You should call 0800 435 980 at least 7 days prior to renewal.

Surrender Value

20. When Your cover under this policy ends it will not have a cash or surrender value.

Use of headings

21. The headings used in this policy are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of its contents.

Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover: Variation of Terms

If You have Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover all of the Policy Terms and Conditions shall apply to Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover subject to the following changes:

  1. Cover is continuous (and runs concurrently with your Continuous AA membership) and is therefore not subject to renewal;
  2. Cover can be cancelled at any time by giving 30 days notice, to take effect at the next payment date following the end of the notice period;
  3. Subject to cancellations during the cooling off period there will be no part month refunds and cancellations cannot be post-dated;
  4. The Insurer can cancel cover and make changes to Your Terms and Conditions (and the premium payable), during Your Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover contract but will always give You at least 45 days notice;
  5. The Insurer reserves the right to lapse or cancel Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover where any month's premium is overdue. If cover has to be re-started then it will be subject to the 14 days exclusion clause;
  6. Five (5) claims are allowed in each 12-month period. The five (5) claims limit is based on a 12-month cycle from commencement of the related AA Continuous Membership.

Please refer to the AA Breakdown Repair Cover Arrangement and Administration Contract for details of AAIS's services and fees relating to Continuous AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

Compliments and Complaints

If You have a compliment, query or complaint about any matter concerning Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover, please write to:

The Manager
AA Breakdown Repair Cover
AAWS
Lambert House
Stockport Road
Cheadle
Cheshire SK8 2DY

If any claim You may have is refused by the Insurer, either in whole or in part, You have the right to an explanation from the Insurer in writing. If You are not satisfied with a decision about a query or a claim, you may refer the matter directly to the Insurer at:

The Manager
AA Underwriting Services Limited
Fanum House
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 4EA

If You are unhappy with the final decision, You may refer the matter to:

The Financial Ombudsman Service
South Quay Plaza
183 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SR
Telephone: 0845 080 1800 or
Email: enquiries@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Important: This complaints procedure does not affect Your statutory rights.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

The Insurer is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the 'Scheme'). You may be entitled to compensation from the Scheme if the Insurer cannot meet their obligations. The amount of compensation depends on the type of business. Most types of insurance businesses are covered for 100% of the first £2,000 of a valid claim and 90% of the remaining amount of the loss. Further information about the compensation arrangements is available from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, telephone number 020 7892 7300.

Automobile Association Underwriting Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Head Office: Fanum House, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA. Registered in England and Wales number 1674675.

Common questions

Do I have to keep my car regularly serviced?

Yes. Once You have nominated a vehicle for AA Breakdown Repair Cover then You will need to keep it serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Servicing must be done by a suitable garage business eg not a neighbour, friend or family member but a garage trading business with garage premises. You may be asked to produce evidence of servicing when You make a claim so be sure to retain Your receipts and invoices.

Can I claim straightaway?

No. You will not be able to claim on Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover policy for spares or repairs needed to rectify a breakdown which occurs during the first 14 days after Your agreed policy start date. After that cover will apply.

If You change Your vehicle You will also not be able to claim for 14 days after notifying the change so do ensure that You notify us promptly when You purchase a replacement vehicle to ensure that the new vehicle is covered as soon as possible.

What do I do if I change my Vehicle?

You can easily update Your cover to cover Your replacement vehicle (please check eligibility requirements for you new vehicle under 'Vehicles which can be covered under AA Breakdown Repair Cover'). All You need to do is call us on 0870 544 4444.

You will not be able to make a claim in relation to a breakdown occurring within 14 days of the date on which You notify the vehicle change (see section headed 'If You change Your vehicle').

If You have AA Motor Insurance and have advised our Insurance team of a change of vehicle, please be aware that You will still need to call us on 0870 544 4444. Unfortunately we cannot currently update Your AA Breakdown Repair Cover policy automatically from Your motor insurance details.

Who can I talk to if I still have questions?

If You have any further queries then please call us on 0870 544 4444.

AA BREAKDOWN REPAIR COVER ARRANGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION CONTRACT – YOUR CONTRACT WITH AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION INSURANCE SERVICES LIMITED

Set out below are the Terms and Conditions of your contract with us, Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited (AAIS), regarding our arrangement and administration of your AA Breakdown Repair Cover Policy. Please note that some sales are not arranged through AAIS and if this applies to your cover, you will be issued with a separate document identifying the company which arranged your cover, and giving the required information about that company.

  1. Who regulates AAIS?

    AAIS is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) which is the independent watchdog that regulates financial services. AAIS's permitted business is that of an insurance intermediary dealing in and arranging contracts of general insurance. You can check this information on the FSA's register by visiting their website www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting 0845 606 1234. Our FSA registration number is 310562.

  2. Which companies does AAIS deal with?

    AA Breakdown Repair Cover is underwritten by Automobile Association Underwriting Services Limited and AAIS presently acts only for this insurer in relation to this product. AAIS acts as an agent of this underwriter, when arranging payments or refunds of your premium and when making any claims payments. AAIS may renew your cover to a different underwriter or notify you of a future change if the underwriter of AA Breakdown Repair Cover has changed for new policies for any reason.

  3. What services does AAIS provide?

    AAIS provides the following services to you:

    • Providing information about AA Breakdown Repair Cover: AAIS will provide you with information about AA Breakdown Repair Cover and will ask you some questions to help narrow down the selection of products of interest to you. You will not receive advice or any recommendation and you will need to make your own choice about how to proceed.
    • Arranging AA Breakdown Repair Cover: Once you decide what cover you require, AAIS will arrange this for you with the insurer, dealing with payment and issuing the relevant documentation.
    • Administering AA Breakdown Repair Cover: After arranging the AA Breakdown Repair Cover Policy, AAIS will administer it on your behalf, including supplying replacement documentation, keeping your policy records up to date and dealing with enquiries, changes to payment methods; renewals (including Autorenewal) of AA Breakdown Repair Cover and cancellations (including refunds on behalf of the insurer(s)).
    • If during the currency of your policy the relevant insurer wishes to alter the Terms and Conditions of the policy AAIS will provide you with the relevant information.
    • AAIS will, for compliance purposes, keep a copy of the policy that was issued to you. Communication by AAIS concerning any policy issued will be in English.
  4. What will you have to pay for services provided by AAIS?

    AAIS will always inform you of, or confirm, in writing its fees for the services it provides under this contract. These fees will be advised in the contract, in the accompanying letter, or separately in writing and will be identified separately from the premium. Subject to any statutory rights you may have, AAIS will not refund any of its fees except where it has arranged a refund of premium following cancellation in the cooling off period of the AA Breakdown Repair Cover Policy. AAIS will also tell you about any other charges relating to your AA Breakdown Repair Cover.

  5. Changes to Terms and Conditions

    Annual cover: AAIS is entitled to change any of these Terms and Conditions at renewal. AAIS also reserves the right to make changes to these Terms and Conditions during the policy year, on the giving of reasonable notice, where it reasonably considers this necessary in order to comply with any applicable laws, regulations or the advice or instruction of any regulatory authority.

    For Continuous cover, AAIS is entitled to make changes to any of these Terms and Conditions (and to the fees payable) during a Continuous contract, but will always give at least 45 days prior notice of any such change(s).

  6. Matters outside AAIS's reasonable control

    AAIS shall not be liable for service failures where it is faced with circumstances outside its reasonable control. Events which might constitute circumstances outside AAIS's reasonable control include (but are not limited to) Acts of God, outbreak of hostilities, riot, civil disturbance, acts of terrorism, acts of government or authority (including the refusal or revocation of any licence or consent), fire, subsidence, explosion, flood, snow, fog or other bad weather conditions, vehicle, equipment or systems failures, shortages of fuel or other necessary supplies, failure of telecommunications lines or systems, default of suppliers or sub-contractors, theft, malicious damage, strike, lock out or industrial action of any kind.

  7. Exclusion of liability for loss of profit etc

    AAIS shall not, in any event, and to the extent permitted by law, have any responsibility for any increased costs or expenses, for any loss of profit, business, contracts, revenue or anticipated savings or for any special, indirect or consequential losses incurred as a result of or in connection with any service, whether resulting from tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty), breach of agreement or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this clause or these Terms and Conditions shall exclude or restrict AAIS's liability for negligence resulting in death or personal injury.

  8. Third parties

    None of the Terms and Conditions, or benefits, of this contract are enforceable by anyone else other than the insured. For the avoidance of doubt, and without limiting the above, any rights under The Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, or any replacement or amendment of such act, are excluded.

  9. What to do if you have a complaint

    If your complaint relates to a AA Breakdown Repair Cover claim, you can, in the first instance, call the Claims authorisation and advice helpline on: 0845 604 0042, or write to: The Manager, Claims Department AA Breakdown Repair Cover, AAWS, Lambert House, Stockport Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2DY. If you are not satisfied with a decision about a query or a claim, you may refer the matter directly to the Insurer at: AA Breakdown Repair Cover, Automobile Association Underwriting Services Limited, Fanum House, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA.

    If you wish to register a complaint about the services you have received from AAIS under this AA Breakdown Cover Arrangement and Administration Contract please contact Member Care by phone: 0845 607 6727 or in writing to: Member Care, AAIS, Lambert House, Stockport Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2DY or by email: customersupport@theAA.com.

    If you remain dissatisfied with the final response to Your complaint, You can also contact the Financial Ombudsman Service for help and advice.

  10. Is AAIS covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?

    AAIS is covered by the FSCS. You may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if AAIS cannot meet its obligations in arranging AA Breakdown Repair Cover. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. Insurance arranging is covered for 100% of the first £2,000 and 90% of the remainder of the claim, without any upper limit. Further information about compensation scheme arrangements is available from the FSCS at www.fscs.org.uk or telephone 0207 892 7300.

  11. Use of headings

    The headings used above are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of its contents.

AA company details

The Automobile Association Limited is incorporated with limited liability in Jersey number 73356. Registered Office: 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX, Channel Islands. It is an insurer of breakdown assistance services cover that is exempt from authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Head Office (Registered Branch Office): Fanum House, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA.

Branch registered in England and Wales number BR004875.

Automobile Association Underwriting Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Head Office: Fanum House, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA.

Registered in England and Wales number 1674675.

Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Head Office: Fanum House, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 4EA.

Registered in England and Wales number 2414212

Your responsibilities

Please be sure to read this booklet carefully, taking care to check that you comply with the Terms and Conditions of AA Breakdown Repair Cover, in particular:

Ensure that you keep your vehicle serviced in line with the manufacturer's recommendations. Be sure that you keep your invoices or receipts for servicing carefully as we may require proof of servicing when you make a claim. You may wish to keep copies in the car to make the claims process even faster.

Ensure that you inform us if you change your vehicle. You will need to provide the vehicle's registration number, make, model, mileage and date of first registration when you call on 0870 544 4444 to make the change.

Cut out the card attached to your leaflet and put it in your vehicle's glovebox so you'll have the Claims Helpline telephone number when you need it.

Last updated: November 2007