Warning--- Courtesy Car or Hire Car

[Gagakev]

After an accident last December its finally been resolved, I'll try and keep it short and to the point.
Wife on her way to work, stopped at local corner shop for paper.
Got back in vehicle and then that's when the articulated lorry, due to ice slid into the side of our stationary car
and jack-knifed.
I went to her aid and got the vehicle free about four hours later, manage to get it home and phoned the insurance company
and after explaining it to them they instructed me not to drive the car any further until it had been geometrically checked (No damage to body work)
As I have a free courtesy car they said they will arrange it through there sister company. Ten minutes later the sister company called and said they would deliver a like for like vehicle to me, they then went on and on telling me that I would have to sign for this that and the other and to be honest I got fed up with listening and agreed to the Courtesy car .
Car was delivered and yes I signed this, that and the other.
BUT what I actually signed was a hire agreement!!!
The other party's insurance company refused to pay for the checks and hire.
Unknown to me because I had signed the agreement I was then responsible for the cost (nearly £5000.00)
Luckily and again not realising it when I signed for the car ,included was an seperate insurance policy to cover any cost.
My insurance company then instructed a solicitor to take proceedings in my name against the other party.
I then spend half a day in court explaining why I needed a car, why I had it for 30 days, did I do every thing in my power to get it returned as soon as possible, could I have got it cheaper elsewhere???? etc etc etc
It was found in my favour and they had to pay up.
Moral of the story is--- although there was a policy in place to cover the cost if I hadnt co-operated they would have made me liable!!!
It has also been very worrying and took 11 months to resolve..
PLEASE BE CAREFUL when accepting a so called courtesy car.
Kev

 

[Philspadders]

if you read the small print on your policy you will find that there is no garuntee to pay for the cost of temporary courtesy car. Your insurers rely on reclaiming the cost from the other insurers.You should always pay for the £10.00 hire cost indemnity to protect you if the insurers fail to cover the cost of the hire car.

There are often time limits and restrictions as well.
One other area is that if you try to arrange repairs yourself your insurers may send you a bill for a courtesy car.

I was surprised to see the cost of the hire at £5k. How long did you have it for.? it must have been months.

 

[Gagakev]

if you read the small print on your policy you will find that there is no garuntee to pay for the cost of temporary courtesy car. Your insurers rely on reclaiming the cost from the other insurers.You should always pay for the £10.00 hire cost indemnity to protect you if the insurers fail to cover the cost of the hire car.
There publicity litrarture states; GUARUNTEED FREE COURTESY CAR in the event of an accident
Give them there due I suppose they never charged me a fee for the insurance
There are often time limits and restrictions as well.
One other area is that if you try to arrange repairs yourself your insurers may send you a bill for a courtesy car.

I was surprised to see the cost of the hire at £5k. How long did you have it for.? it must have been months.

As it was over the christmas holiday shutdown period and due to the amount of accidents the repairers took 30 days to actually do the checks. I phoned them every other day to get it in to there workshop. The cost was actually £4,970.00 but when all the court cost and expenses were added it was actually nearer £6K
just to add the post was put on here to warn others of my mistakes and if it does happen to anyone ensure you have the extra insurance policy and listen to the gump they blabber on about over the phone.
By the way this was my first ever encounter/claim in 30+ years so had no previous experience in making a claim!!!
Thanks for your response Phil

 

[otherclive]

Honest John in the Saturday Telegraph Motoring often warns of the pitfalls on this topic. It is also putting everyone's insurance premiums up. My daughter had a minor coming together with another car which was not her fault. The insurer's claim management company sent her an auto 2010 Range Rover Vogue V8 diesel. She drives a 2004 Saab 9-3 auto and the RR was the only auto available to the company. I shudder to think what the daily cost of one of those would be. Anyway she sent it back after a few days as it was too expensive on fuel.

 

[LMH]

Honest John in the Saturday Telegraph Motoring often warns of the pitfalls on this topic. It is also putting everyone's insurance premiums up. My daughter had a minor coming together with another car which was not her fault. The insurer's claim management company sent her an auto 2010 Range Rover Vogue V8 diesel. She drives a 2004 Saab 9-3 auto and the RR was the only auto available to the company. I shudder to think what the daily cost of one of those would be. Anyway she sent it back after a few days as it was too expensive on fuel.

I'd rather have that than the Aveo we had to endure for a week. Plus, NO PETS allowed in the vehicle (even if it was possible to fit them in).

LIsa