Car subscription service - windscreen chip
Discussion
Evening PH, I'm after some thoughts on a situation we have with a car we've hired through a well known subscription service.
On Saturday we were overtaken by someone who flicked a stone up from the road which then hit and chipped the windscreen.
These things happen with genuinely no fault of the driver, hence why I would assume there is normally (you can see where this is going) separate provision under car insurance policies for windscreen damage - i.e. the usual reduced excess for a replacement / repair for free.
The subscription company, who will remain nameless, did not set out that the usual windscreen cover was not included, merely stating the following on their website:
We no longer offer the option to take out your own insurance cover. All subscriptions you see advertised on our website include comprehensive insurance as standard in the price.
As a result of this chip, which is less than 20mm and outside of the swept area of the wipers and more then 3cm, we were told by the subscription company's preferred windscreen partner that it would be nearly £900 for a replacement. They hadn't even assessed the vehicle to establish if a repair might be possible.
We have challenged this, as it seems like the windscreen company has a significant vested interest in this being a replacement rather than repair.
My questions to PH are:
1) Is it reasonable to demand a second opinion around repair from an independant windscreen company?
2) Do you think it reasonable and accepted practise that a screen chip be subjected to normal insurance excesses (£1,000) in this case?
On Saturday we were overtaken by someone who flicked a stone up from the road which then hit and chipped the windscreen.
These things happen with genuinely no fault of the driver, hence why I would assume there is normally (you can see where this is going) separate provision under car insurance policies for windscreen damage - i.e. the usual reduced excess for a replacement / repair for free.
The subscription company, who will remain nameless, did not set out that the usual windscreen cover was not included, merely stating the following on their website:
We no longer offer the option to take out your own insurance cover. All subscriptions you see advertised on our website include comprehensive insurance as standard in the price.
As a result of this chip, which is less than 20mm and outside of the swept area of the wipers and more then 3cm, we were told by the subscription company's preferred windscreen partner that it would be nearly £900 for a replacement. They hadn't even assessed the vehicle to establish if a repair might be possible.
We have challenged this, as it seems like the windscreen company has a significant vested interest in this being a replacement rather than repair.
My questions to PH are:
1) Is it reasonable to demand a second opinion around repair from an independant windscreen company?
2) Do you think it reasonable and accepted practise that a screen chip be subjected to normal insurance excesses (£1,000) in this case?
Edited by plfrench on Tuesday 13th September 18:23
Yes, it's the fact that a chip in a windscreen resulted in being subject to the full £1000. In conjunction with the windscreen repairer wanting to move straight to replacement when they clearly have a vested interest - plus the idea of a windscreen for a Zoe costing nearly £900. The whole combination just seems a bit wrong for a chip!
If it was me I would be inclined to go to another repairer for a second opinion on the repair/ replacement cost, is there anything in the subscription contract that prevents that?
As for the excess, if there's nothing specific in the policy around windscreen claims being different from a standard insurance claim then I guess it is as it is, I have noticed in the past on some comparison websites that some less well known insurers don't offer a separate windscreen cover unless specifically requested so whilst I acept the insurance in this case is likely part of the subscription I don't think it's a one off.
As for the excess, if there's nothing specific in the policy around windscreen claims being different from a standard insurance claim then I guess it is as it is, I have noticed in the past on some comparison websites that some less well known insurers don't offer a separate windscreen cover unless specifically requested so whilst I acept the insurance in this case is likely part of the subscription I don't think it's a one off.
plfrench said:
Yes, unfortunately my wife was far too honest and informed them of the damage as soon as it happened.
I suspect if we had just got it repaired and not said anything, they'd never have known... oh well, the price of honesty hey...
Just tell them you’ll get the windscreen replaced at your own cost. Reckon I’d still have a go with a windscreen repair and chance it. I suspect if we had just got it repaired and not said anything, they'd never have known... oh well, the price of honesty hey...
Worst case, new windscreen and I’m sure you’ll find one cheaper than £900
plfrench said:
... we were told by the subscription company's preferred windscreen partner that it would be nearly £900 for a replacement.
This is an easy one OP - just get your own 'preferred windscreen partner' to repair the chip.Edited by Canon_Fodder on Tuesday 13th September 19:59
plfrench said:
Yes, unfortunately my wife was far too honest and informed them of the damage as soon as it happened.
I suspect if we had just got it repaired and not said anything, they'd never have known... oh well, the price of honesty hey...
Honesty is its own reward. The trick is expect, demand and query the same from others.I suspect if we had just got it repaired and not said anything, they'd never have known... oh well, the price of honesty hey...
Get some quotes for an ‘invisible repair’ to the chip, and see what they say.
It's a Zoe - there's a dashcam / telemetry setup which would need re-instating, but still seems one hell of a charge!
If nothing else, it's good to raise the point with people so they don't assume there is normal windscreen cover on the included insurance and they can avoid the costly mistake we've had.
If nothing else, it's good to raise the point with people so they don't assume there is normal windscreen cover on the included insurance and they can avoid the costly mistake we've had.
When I last hired a car from probably the same company I took out excess insurance from a third party, knowing that it was £1k and that there was a good chance that this sort of thing could happen.
Sadly I think you’re probably stuffed because you rolled the dice and decided not to yourself. From memory their T&Cs are very clear that it’s entirely at their discretion as to how much of that £1k excess is consumed in the event of a claim.
£1000 excess on a policy controlled by the company, who deem what has to be done on a repair, is a very risky proposition.
Sadly I think you’re probably stuffed because you rolled the dice and decided not to yourself. From memory their T&Cs are very clear that it’s entirely at their discretion as to how much of that £1k excess is consumed in the event of a claim.
£1000 excess on a policy controlled by the company, who deem what has to be done on a repair, is a very risky proposition.
Durzel said:
When I last hired a car from probably the same company I took out excess insurance from a third party, knowing that it was £1k and that there was a good chance that this sort of thing could happen.
Sadly I think you’re probably stuffed because you rolled the dice and decided not to yourself. From memory their T&Cs are very clear that it’s entirely at their discretion as to how much of that £1k excess is consumed in the event of a claim.
£1000 excess on a policy controlled by the company, who deem what has to be done on a repair, is a very risky proposition.
It wasn't so much a case of deciding not to, it was not thinking about a windscreen as so used to it being a separate consideration on insurance policies. Sadly I think you’re probably stuffed because you rolled the dice and decided not to yourself. From memory their T&Cs are very clear that it’s entirely at their discretion as to how much of that £1k excess is consumed in the event of a claim.
£1000 excess on a policy controlled by the company, who deem what has to be done on a repair, is a very risky proposition.
£1000 whilst more than I'd go for on a personal policy, didn't seem too scary as we've not made a habit of crashing / kerbing alloys / parking in places where the car gets clipped, etc, so was quite comfortable with that risk.
Oh well, life's too short to get hung up on it, will have to chalk it up to experience, it just grates a bit!
It would grate if it were me too. I just think that you’re probably screwed in so much as arguing that they should do XYZ to make it cheaper for you.
I took out the excess insurance not because I was worried that I’d damage it, but that something or someone else would, inadvertently or not, as has happened to you
I took out the excess insurance not because I was worried that I’d damage it, but that something or someone else would, inadvertently or not, as has happened to you
I just ran a quote for a Renault Zoe 2019 with 'UK Car Glass' and they come back at £361 all in (ticked not insurance claim box).
I'd check with the hire company if they will accept this (would imagine other authorised places are in same cost area) and do this, potentially £600 or so to save.
I'd check with the hire company if they will accept this (would imagine other authorised places are in same cost area) and do this, potentially £600 or so to save.
Second Best said:
Is Glassman still around? Maybe drop him a PM as he may be able to offer a less expensive repair than the insurance company, and you can just advise the hire firm that you'll sort it. No harm in trying.
Post images, please. Will be interesting (and for the benefit of others) what the nominated repair company is not repairing. jondude said:
I just ran a quote for a Renault Zoe 2019 with 'UK Car Glass' and they come back at £361 all in (ticked not insurance claim box).
I'd check with the hire company if they will accept this (would imagine other authorised places are in same cost area) and do this, potentially £600 or so to save.
I wouldn't check - if it's OEM glass and they calibrate the sensors, there's no way they could ever know. I'd check with the hire company if they will accept this (would imagine other authorised places are in same cost area) and do this, potentially £600 or so to save.
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