how would they know you’re out of the country for more then 28 days
They wouldn’t ... until something goes wrong – in the same way that no-one knows it was you who burgled a house, until you get caught. The point is that their contract, which one signs, says that you cannot take the car abroad for more than 28 days without their written permission.
I wasn’t going to elaborate here, as I said, but since you ask … When I bought the car, it was on the clear understanding that this would not be a problem, as long trips abroad were the (almost) sole reason for buying it. The dealer (said that he had) contacted the Santander rep, who confirmed that all I needed to do was let them know each time I took it for long trips – as stated in their T&Cs.
As soon I did this the first time, I got the prompt answer (which presumably the ‘Customer Services’ dingbat I had contacted copied straight off his computer screen’s ‘list of answers for stupid customers’) that 28 days is all that is allowed … Not entirely correct; which was what the Complaints Department agreed when I elevated my complaint after similar repeated unintelligent responses from ‘Customer Services’.
To make matters worse, I have repeatedly done the same, exactly as instructed on numerous occasions since, and every time I’ve received the same response – despite copying to them and referring them to their own Complaint Department’s decision. They simply don’t read what you say, and couldn’t care less. They are also rude as well as, in the end, they simply stop responding to my replies seeking justification. My solution has been always to advise them of my intentions and seek permission, as instructed, but if they can’t be bothered to either read and answer what I have actually said to them, I leave the ball in their court to get round to it in their own time – which, of course, they never do. That is then their problem and not mine.