Insurance - Courtesy car woes!

[MarkGolf]

Hi Guys,

Missus had a small bump in her car the other day, nothing bad, wing, headlight and bumper. Still drivable but no side repeaters etc so dont want her using it with the kids.

Going through Insurance, Hastings Direct, who then pass the accepted claim over to Vizion. They give you a list of 5 approved bodyshops, sadly all of them show as 2 star ratings on google with bad reviews, dodgy paint, cars returned in worse states and so on.. Now I'm not comfortable with any of the list, so I expressed this and was told, if any issues, I can complain and they will be sorted until I'm 100% happy.. Sounds ok but it's just hassle, I know what bodyshops can be like and I'm particularly ***** about paint work and things being done properly! Anyway, I picked the best of a bad bunch after just wanting to get the wheels in motion, the next issue is that bodyshop simply won't answer the phone to me or Vizion.. This goes on and on, simply no answer but it looks like a fairly large chain of bodyshops, not a back alley one so not what I'd expect as it's a normal working week but allreviews echo this. This is all still pending. I know some bodyshops personally but if I nominate one of them, I have to pay an additonal £250 and get no courtesy car. I need a courtesy car which is the problem, especially as nothing is going to really happen over the next 2 weeks with anyone working.

So now, shortage of courtesy cars and if we get one, it's going to be a Fiesta sized car, which is no good. Apparently 1 of the bodyshops of the 5 to choose from, could take the car in for work but not until the end of Jan and I have to wait until our car is on the premises of the bodyshop, to then be in line for a car!! Madness, never had this before, in the past, I received a car the next day but a separate body and later my car was collected.

I was under the impression that the Insurance could get a car from a rental company, which is what I'm currently on the phone pushing for.

Has anyone got any advice on what to do with courtesy cars from Insurance companies?

Thanks!

 

[AVI_8]

Hi, I used to own a car hire company many moons ago so have a bit of knowledge on how this type of situation used to work as I used to supply vehicles to some Insurance companies, firstly you need to read the wording on your Insurance policy, it should describe firstly if they’ll cover you for a hire car, not all Insurance policy’s do and if they do does it cover for a like for like vehicle.
Often body shops offer a courtesy car, this is supplied by the body shop not the Insurance company and is usually a small car and as you’ve found out you’ll not get it until the car is in for repair.

Had someone run into your vehicle as a non fault accident that’s a different matter as you’d be entitled to a like for like vehicle from the moment of the accident, hence one of the reasons why Insurance companies will write off a car with minimal damage due to the cost of hiring expensive cars.

 

[T8]

The provision of a courtesy car by the Insurance company is normally part of the package you sign up for. Many people (including me) save money on the premium by opting out as they have access to other cars.

What does it say in your policy?

Many Bodyshops offer courtesy cars when they've got yours but it's rare for it to be anything other than something small and basic. It's fair that they only provide one when they're working on yours.