Scratch and Stonechip Insurance

[tony wright]

Had a message from my young Nephew who apparently purchased the above for his Scirocco R (leased through VW) from a VW dealer. He pays £5 a month for the insurance due to getting a bill for his last Scirocco R when he returned the car with a keyed drivers door (3 inch scratch). On its hand back the salesman told him if he had purchased the above insurance he would of saved himself the bill, hence the insurance on collection of his new car. Anyhow, his new car is 6 months old and some bugger has scratched the hatchback door. Looks like another keying and although it’s only an inch or so it’s pretty deep. My Sister (his Mother) took the Car to the dealership to ask how to get it sorted using the insurance they sold him and funny old thing it’s not covered. She said something about the hatchback door not being covered, but also mentioned keying so I don’t have a definitive answer to why. So my question is, could he cancel this policy and save himself £5 a month as it doesn’t seem to be worth having? I also assume stonechips are covered under fair wear and tear, or am I wrong?

Reason his Mother is dealing with it is he’s Merchant Navy and away on ship.

[roadsmash]

Sorry to hear that some idiot has intentionally damaged your nephew’s new car out of jealousy.

The answer to your question is really a matter of opinion.

Although it may seem pointless to keep after having a claim rejected, £5 is a reasonable monthly fee that, providing he’s not skint, won’t damage his pocket too much.

If, 3 months from the end of the lease, another scratch appears, over two panels perhaps, that will be covered... then it will be worth it.

As per all insurance policies, it’s only worth it if you claim on it.

IMO, for a fiver, I’d keep it.

[Pica-Pica]

roadsmash said:

As per all insurance policies, it’s only worth it if you claim on it.

Or, only worth it if they let you claim on it. For most people, most insurance is money down the drain.

[roadsmash]

Pica-Pica said:

Or, only worth it if they let you claim on it. For most people, most insurance is money down the drain.

Haha, I actually put that in my post in brackets at the end, but then took it out before posting.

Of course you’re right, if you can’t claim on it at all then it’s most certainly pointless. They have rejected this first claim, but one would hope that they don’t reject every claim, and thus any future claims the OP’s nephew might make will be accepted.

On a brand new VW, one claim on this type of insurance I think would make the policy worth it (especially if the nephew wants to avoid paying out for a 3 figure repair).

Like I said though I think this thread will divide PH as it really depends on the person.

[roadsmash]

tony wright said:

I also assume stonechips are covered under fair wear and tear, or am I wrong?

My 208 GTI went back covered in bonnet stone chips and I didn’t get dinged for it.

I have heard of some lease companies claiming that excessive stone chips can be caused by driving too close to the car in front excessively and therefore not fair wear and tear... but I’m not sure how common this is.

[ghe13rte]

3 year lease, stick a tenner a month away and you have 360 quid at the end. Get a ChipsAway man to flash it over and hand the car back. Sorted. You never know, you may even have some change out of the deal.

[PAULJ5555]

What scratches are covered? maybe only accidental by the sound sounds of it.

Would be a shame if the same place got another few accidental scratches over and around the same place.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Pica-Pica said:

Or, only worth it if they let you claim on it. For most people, most insurance is money down the drain.

No, because you're paying for piece of mind. I've never had my house burn down, but without insurance to cover it, I'd never go out, and I'd have an expensive to install and maintain sprinkler system. Insurance allows me to live a normal life and not have to worry about it. That's partly what I'm paying for.

[Helicopter123]

Sounds like he's been done.

At least its only a sky diver a month.

[LordBretSinclair]

Helicopter123 said:

At least its only a sky diver a month.

Don't you mean a Minnie or even a Muff ?????

[speedking31]

Does the insurance actually promise a repair, or is it that he won't have to suffer a deduction for bodywork condition when he hands the car back?

[tony wright]

Spoke to Sister yesterday and she actually took the car to a VW dealer in Aberdeen, whereas the car was purchased by my Nephew in Newcastle Upon Tyne. He’s back home later this month so off to the actual dealer on his return. I’ve told him to speak directly to the salesman who sold it to him. Probably not make any difference, but worth watching him squirm if so.