VWFS lease cancelled collections

[Andy665]

I terminated 2 months early, car was due to be collected on 25th March- have had ZERO information from VWFS.

Car remains insured until 9th May when the agreement was originally due to end and will not be re-insured by me.

There is no link between me and the car, I'm not the owner, not the registered keeper etc, I have fulfilled the contract and that contract ended on the agreed date of collection that was not adhered to ( reason why is irrelevant)

[wilbo83]

roadsmash said:

If you read the thread, some of us have had it in writing from VWFS, since the email you’re referring to was sent out, that the car is still our responsibility to insure after the agreement ends, regardless of if you want to continue using it or not. This is where the confusion has come from, we are being given conflicting information.

If you’re relying on that original flakey email communication, which was actually confirmed that it was sent in error, as your reasoning for cancelling your insurance... then I say best of luck with that.

If the car is stolen off your drive and VWFS haven’t got it insured either, I wonder who will be liable?

I genuinely don’t know the answer to that, but I can assure you that VWFS aren’t going to bend over.

With their horrific Trustpilot reviews firmly in the forefront of my mind, for avoidance of some potentially lengthy legal proceedings I’m going to hold on to my insurance until I’ve got it personally confirmed by VWFS that it is no longer my responsibility to insure.

Who confirmed that the email was sent in error? Someone on here, someone on the phone at VWFS or a formal follow up email from VWFS? Unless it's the latter then I wouldn't trust the advice. If a company as big as that sends an email in error then they should follow it up with a formal email to notify people. I received an email on 7th April from Seat Finance (SEAT Financial Services is a trading name of Volkswagen Financial Services) which clearly states that the vehicle will be uninsured once the agreement has ended so that is the advice I am personally following.

[jwilco]

Just FYI for people... I paid my early termination settlement last week (which I received confirmation via email had been received) and this week my monthly direct debit has been taken as normal. Obviously it's impossible to get hold of anyone but I'm glad I didn't cancel my DD immediately as that would definitely count as a missed payment in their automated systems. I am going to wait to hear off them before cancelling anything, but I assume that won't be any time soon.

[roadsmash]

wilbo83 said:

Who confirmed that the email was sent in error? Someone on here, someone on the phone at VWFS or a formal follow up email from VWFS? Unless it's the latter then I wouldn't trust the advice.

It was someone over the phone at VWFS who confirmed the email was sent in error.

But I’ve been told in writing from VWFS that the car must remain insured, regardless of if it is used.

So both sets of advice contradict each other but one is confirmed in writing and one is confirmed over the phone.

Using your own advice, I should take the latter form of advice as correct (because it’s in writing)... therefore I need to keep insuring the car.

wilbo83 said:

I received an email on 7th April from Seat Finance (SEAT Financial Services is a trading name of Volkswagen Financial Services) which clearly states that the vehicle will be uninsured once the agreement has ended so that is the advice I am personally following.

I think this is another element of confusion; when the agreement actually ends.

VWFS are trying to claim that once you’ve settled your account, then only your financial obligation is over. However the agreement is still active until the end of contract charges (mileage and damage) are paid.

Obviously you don’t pay these until the car is collected. So they are trying to cling on to the fact that because the car isn’t collected, then the agreement is still active, the contract terms remain in force, and it’s still my obligation to insure.

As I’ve said, I am in the process of arguing their most recent ruling, and once I hear back from them I’ll let you all know.

I’m confident that they will relent, but as it stands they’re giving out some very dodgy advice.

[Red Devil]

https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/managing-your-agreemen...
https://customer.vwfs.co.uk/car-finance-options/En...

The second link merely states that the vehicle will be uninsured once the agreement end date has passed.
It is totally silent about whose is responsible for it going forward.

Those who have somewhere secure on private property to keep the car pro tem have a choice.
Take the risk of the vehicle being damaged or stolen, or obtain laid-up cover.

For cars which cannot be stored off road the CIE requirement comes into play. Which party is going to be caught by that?

I very much doubt that the current physical collection/return impasse will have even been thought of when this product (PCP) was conceived.
In a fair world, if the finance company wants to protect the value of its asset it should do so imo until collections can begin again.
There is no telling when that may be.

[Harris_I]

I'm another one whose lease has ended (yesterday) and opted not to insure. It's not my asset and I have no further interest in it.

When I received notification the car could not be collected, I enquired over the phone and spoke to a pretty aggressive and opinionated guy who insisted the contract said I had to insure it. I quoted the contract back to him:

"5.1 While this Agreement is in force you must keep the Vehicle comprehensively insured, for its full value. You must give us details of the policy if we ask you to and you must tell the insurer that we own the Vehicle."

The meaning of "in force" is not explicit in the contract but no doubt a lawyer can explain how the agreement could possibly remain in force when the last lease payment has been made, the Duration of the Hiring Period is over and the following also applies:

"5.5 If the hiring of the Vehicle is terminated, your interest in the insurance relating to the Vehicle will pass to us and we will be entitled to the benefit of such insurance and any claims made in respect of the Vehicle."

I wrote to VWFS to explain that whilst I will store the vehicle following the end of the Duration of the Hiring Period, I would do so only for the convenience of VWFS, the car would remain undriven until collected, and entirely at the legal risk of the owner, VWFS.

Some time later I received the same email referred to in previous posts from Audi Financial Services saying the vehicle must not be driven after the end of the contract period and will be uninsured. I have had no further update.

So although the process has been pretty poor, it seems clear to me that they saw sense in the end. (Even though their final email is a bit underhand by not explicitly stating that I don't need to insure the car).

[MattS5]

roadsmash said:

MattS5 said:

Yes, cancelled it over 2 weeks ago.
I’m not sure why people are confused by it. The email states you have no need to insure it. Unless you wish to continue to use it. In which case it needs to be insured.

I’m amazed this thread has run into multiple pages in all honesty!

If you read the thread, some of us have had it in writing from VWFS, since the email you’re referring to was sent out, that the car is still our responsibility to insure after the agreement ends, regardless of if you want to continue using it or not. This is where the confusion has come from, we are being given conflicting information.

If you’re relying on that original flakey email communication, which was actually confirmed that it was sent in error, as your reasoning for cancelling your insurance... then I say best of luck with that.

If the car is stolen off your drive and VWFS haven’t got it insured either, I wonder who will be liable?

I genuinely don’t know the answer to that, but I can assure you that VWFS aren’t going to bend over.

With their horrific Trustpilot reviews firmly in the forefront of my mind, for avoidance of some potentially lengthy legal proceedings I’m going to hold on to my insurance until I’ve got it personally confirmed by VWFS that it is no longer my responsibility to insure.

Enjoy the stress.
I'm going off the info I have to hand and have been sent.

I don't need to call them, I don't need to speak to them.

[roadsmash]

MattS5 said:

Enjoy the stress.
I'm going off the info I have to hand and have been sent.

I don't need to call them, I don't need to speak to them.

Being honest, you’re coming across as a bit of a , not sure if you’re intending to be one?

I’m not stressed at all, as I have it insured... and I will keep it insured until an actual person armed with the latest information at VWFS confirms otherwise.

If you refer to Red Devil’s post above, it isn't as necessarily simple as you’re convincing yourself it is.

I think your attitude of “it’s not my car so it’s not my problem” is rather naive and immature. The car was technically never yours but it was still your obligation to insure it under the agreement.

If you read my earlier post in the thread, you will see that VWFS have literally told me, within the last few days, to keep it insured. They seem to think the agreement is still live, despite my financial obligation being over.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I know this seems incorrect, but it’s the advice they’ve given me nonetheless, so it would be stupid to ignore it.

We are in unprecedented times, so there has to be flexibility shown from all parties on matters like this. There is clearly a grey area that clarity is required on.

Of course, you’re welcome to behave how you like, and as I said before you may well have made the right decision, saving yourself a few quid on insurance... but I would rather pay a few more days premium to get the answer I need from VWFS.

That doesn’t mean you need to goad the rest of us with statements like “I’m amazed this thread has run into multiple pages” and “enjoy the stress.”

ETA

Cut out the name calling please.

Edited by roadsmash on Thursday 16th April 15:37

Edited by Big Al. on Thursday 16th April 18:01

[roadsmash]

Harris_I said:

So although the process has been pretty poor, it seems clear to me that they saw sense in the end. (Even though their final email is a bit underhand by not explicitly stating that I don't need to insure the car).

This is the key point. They have emailed me the complete opposite, telling me I need to insure it, in case it gets stolen or damaged on the drive.

[MattS5]

roadsmash said:

MattS5 said:

Enjoy the stress.
I'm going off the info I have to hand and have been sent.

I don't need to call them, I don't need to speak to them.

Being honest, you’re coming across as a bit of a , not sure if you’re intending to be one?

I’m not stressed at all, as I have it insured... and I will keep it insured until an actual person armed with the latest information at VWFS confirms otherwise.

If you refer to Red Devil’s post above, it isn't as necessarily simple as you’re convincing yourself it is.

I think your attitude of “it’s not my car so it’s not my problem” is rather naive and immature. The car was technically never yours but it was still your obligation to insure it under the agreement.

If you read my earlier post in the thread, you will see that VWFS have literally told me, within the last few days, to keep it insured. They seem to think the agreement is still live, despite my financial obligation being over.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I know this seems incorrect, but it’s the advice they’ve given me nonetheless, so it would be stupid to ignore it.

We are in unprecedented times, so there has to be flexibility shown from all parties on matters like this. There is clearly a grey area that clarity is required on.

Of course, you’re welcome to behave how you like, and as I said before you may well have made the right decision, saving yourself a few quid on insurance... but I would rather pay a few more days premium to get the answer I need from VWFS.

That doesn’t mean you need to goad the rest of us with statements like “I’m amazed this thread has run into multiple pages” and “enjoy the stress.”

Edited by roadsmash on Thursday 16th April 15:37

Think what you like of me.
I actually contributed to a conversation with the initial poster of this thread, after making my own enquiries over multiple days with VWFS.
However, if you wish to continue your own enquiries, knock yourself out, but don't expect me to change my views based on your experience.

If that makes me a , so be it, I certainly didn't mean to come across like that.
I just don't have the amount of time on my hands to procrastinate over the situation as the guidance I was given is all the evidence i require not to insure the car.

Edited by Big Al. on Thursday 16th April 18:01

[TechnicPuppet]

My lease is due up in June could I do it from end of April when insurance ends?

Do I just call them?

[Killthebankers]

TechnicPuppet said:

My lease is due up in June could I do it from end of April when insurance ends?

Do I just call them?

Just phone them pay what they calculate they are owed, keep it insured but don’t use it and if the saving is worth while crack on.

[Milkbuttons]

I've paid all my payments due now and my collection was booked for this Friday but was cancelled about 3 weeks ago.

I will cancel my insurance and just leave the car on the drive and stop using it, I can't be bothered to call them it seems pointless at the moment, they will collect the car when they can I guess!

[MattS5]

Milkbuttons said:

I've paid all my payments due now and my collection was booked for this Friday but was cancelled about 3 weeks ago.

I will cancel my insurance and just leave the car on the drive and stop using it, I can't be bothered to call them it seems pointless at the moment, they will collect the car when they can I guess!

Totally this. They’ll be in touch at some point. Far more important issues and bigger client bases to be dealing with for them at this current moment in time.

[dan12345678910]

Harris_I said:

I'm another one whose lease has ended (yesterday) and opted not to insure. It's not my asset and I have no further interest in it.

When I received notification the car could not be collected, I enquired over the phone and spoke to a pretty aggressive and opinionated guy who insisted the contract said I had to insure it. I quoted the contract back to him:

"5.1 While this Agreement is in force you must keep the Vehicle comprehensively insured, for its full value. You must give us details of the policy if we ask you to and you must tell the insurer that we own the Vehicle."

The meaning of "in force" is not explicit in the contract but no doubt a lawyer can explain how the agreement could possibly remain in force when the last lease payment has been made, the Duration of the Hiring Period is over and the following also applies:

"5.5 If the hiring of the Vehicle is terminated, your interest in the insurance relating to the Vehicle will pass to us and we will be entitled to the benefit of such insurance and any claims made in respect of the Vehicle."

I wrote to VWFS to explain that whilst I will store the vehicle following the end of the Duration of the Hiring Period, I would do so only for the convenience of VWFS, the car would remain undriven until collected, and entirely at the legal risk of the owner, VWFS.

Some time later I received the same email referred to in previous posts from Audi Financial Services saying the vehicle must not be driven after the end of the contract period and will be uninsured. I have had no further update.

So although the process has been pretty poor, it seems clear to me that they saw sense in the end. (Even though their final email is a bit underhand by not explicitly stating that I don't need to insure the car).

I’m going to be in the same boat on 26 April, the date our hire ends.

I don’t think this answer resolves anything as the car is still subject to the usual final inspection when this nightmare is over. So if the uninsured car is damaged after the hire finishes (eg by attempted theft) I’m sure the BCA inspection will record the damage and we’ll be billed.....which is what I don’t think is fair!

[JS0]

Ok so I’ve just had an email from Audi responding to an online form.

It states I need to have the car insured until the end date of my contract which is the end of May. At this point I can cancel the insurance.

Makes sense, but they have totally ignored the fact I paid the car off in full at the beginning of March, so confusion still remains.

[Killthebankers]

JS0 said:

Ok so I’ve just had an email from Audi responding to an online form.

It states I need to have the car insured until the end date of my contract which is the end of May. At this point I can cancel the insurance.

Makes sense, but they have totally ignored the fact I paid the car off in full at the beginning of March, so confusion still remains.

Did you pay in “full” or a percentage?

[roadsmash]

Killthebankers said:

JS0 said:

Ok so I’ve just had an email from Audi responding to an online form.

It states I need to have the car insured until the end date of my contract which is the end of May. At this point I can cancel the insurance.

Makes sense, but they have totally ignored the fact I paid the car off in full at the beginning of March, so confusion still remains.

Did you pay in “full” or a percentage?

I would hazard a guess that he’s paid the settlement figure on his agreement in full.

[roadsmash]

JS0 said:

Ok so I’ve just had an email from Audi responding to an online form.

It states I need to have the car insured until the end date of my contract which is the end of May. At this point I can cancel the insurance.

Makes sense, but they have totally ignored the fact I paid the car off in full at the beginning of March, so confusion still remains.

Maybe they have simply missed that your agreement has been settled. Have you phoned them (as per the settlement letter) to close your account?

If the answer to that is yes, you should go back to them on email reiterating that the agreement has been settled in full and ask again if the car needs to remain insured by you as you no longer have any financial or contractual interest in the car.

Please let us know what they respond with.

[Lozw86]

We have a lease with VWFS ending in a few weeks and have been contacted by BCA to arrange a collection. However, we wish to extend the lease for another 6 months.. the problem is we can’t get through to VWFS to arrange this and get a quote

We have filled in an online form but have received no response so far. We don’t plan to arrange the collection and hope VW will get in touch

Any suggestions?