Anyone had a non-fault accident in their 7 ?
Anyone had a non-fault accident in their 7 ?
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Discussion

Ziplobb

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

304 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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Just interested to know how anyone got on with the provision of a replacement vehicle. Someone revered into my 7 a few days ago and it needs to be inspected and repaired (hopefully new nosecone & paint) but the 3rd parties insurers obviously don't want to provide a like for like loan car (on the basis of cost) but have offered a Merc Coupe as they think that is a befitting replacement for the duration - thoughts ??

CycleSi

510 posts

213 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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I was in exactly the same position as you two years ago when somebody suddenly put their car into reverse at a T-junction and slammed into the front of my R400.

He admitted full liability throughout the process but the insurance company couldn't provide me with another 7 so they paid me a daily rate instead which was ideal as I had other cars to use. I seem to recall I got £72 per day as that would have been the cost of the hire car. I ended up doing very well out of it to be honest.

Hold your ground and insist if they cannot give you a 7 to use then you'll take the cash equivalent whilst it's off the road.




sfaulds

653 posts

298 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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Not sure why you'd expect another Seven? Surely if you need another car, then any car with a minimum of 2 seats and a small boot would do?

justleanitupabit

205 posts

127 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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sfaulds said:
Not sure why you'd expect another Seven? Surely if you need another car, then any car with a minimum of 2 seats and a small boot would do?
By extension then.

You have a 4 door, SUV say a BMW/Audi/Merc/Jag - Should you accept a Dacia Duster as replacement - I mean they are pretty similar right?

sfaulds

653 posts

298 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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justleanitupabit said:
By extension then.

You have a 4 door, SUV say a BMW/Audi/Merc/Jag - Should you accept a Dacia Duster as replacement - I mean they are pretty similar right?
By extension of your extension - are you saying a Mercedes is inferior in quality to a Caterham?

justleanitupabit

205 posts

127 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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Answer my question first and I'll let you know. smile

BertBert

20,685 posts

231 months

Thursday 26th July 2018
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I can't believe people actually think this. Or why I think completely differently!

A courtesy car isn't designed to put you in the same position as if you had your car. It's designed to provide the reasonable travel utility you had.

So no you are not entitled to another 7. You should expect some reasonable transport.

Bert

anonymous-user

74 months

Friday 27th July 2018
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justleanitupabit said:
sfaulds said:
Not sure why you'd expect another Seven? Surely if you need another car, then any car with a minimum of 2 seats and a small boot would do?
By extension then.

You have a 4 door, SUV say a BMW/Audi/Merc/Jag - Should you accept a Dacia Duster as replacement - I mean they are pretty similar right?
That’s the way a court would look at it I understand.

As Bert says, it’s not meant as a replacement. And as one is meant to mitigate one’s loss, even if not at fault, a courtesy car that fulfills the basic function is considered enough.

I stand to be corrected.

Roblot

36 posts

99 months

Friday 27th July 2018
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Just a quick one.

There are insurance policies that do provide like for like (or upmarket/superior !) replacement cars in the event of an accident, but you do have to pay an additional premium.
Generally I have found that if a courtesy car is offered under a standard policy it states that it will be a car of their choice usually a small engined runabout.


fergus

6,430 posts

295 months

Friday 27th July 2018
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Roblot said:
J
Generally I have found that if a courtesy car is offered under a standard policy it states that it will be a car of their choice usually a small engined runabout.
Like a Caterham 160? thumbup

justleanitupabit

205 posts

127 months

Friday 27th July 2018
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BertBert said:
I can't believe people actually think this. Or why I think completely differently!

A courtesy car isn't designed to put you in the same position as if you had your car. It's designed to provide the reasonable travel utility you had.

So no you are not entitled to another 7. You should expect some reasonable transport.

Bert
Well yes but the point being when it comes to something beyond the norm - like a Caterham the line is naturally significantly blurred. IIRC Insurers go by "vehilcle class" quite how wide ranging that class is is the answer.

I'd suggest to have a 7 in the same class as a merc hatch is wrong - in the similarly if I found myself having a Dacia in lieu of (say) a Bentayga I think I'd feel a little hard done by. (Despite both being SUV).

BertBert

20,685 posts

231 months

Sunday 29th July 2018
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I haven't read your insurance policy, but I'm willing to bet that it doesn't mention "vehicle class". Here's what Admiral have to say on the matter.
https://www.admiral.com/magazine/guides/motor/gett...
So, if you want a courtesy car whilst your Bent-ayga is being straightened that is in the same league, you would have needed to have chosen your insurance to provide that cover.

ETA: are you also of the view that insurance is there to put you in the exact position you were in pre-accident?

Bert

justleanitupabit said:
Well yes but the point being when it comes to something beyond the norm - like a Caterham the line is naturally significantly blurred. IIRC Insurers go by "vehilcle class" quite how wide ranging that class is is the answer.

I'd suggest to have a 7 in the same class as a merc hatch is wrong - in the similarly if I found myself having a Dacia in lieu of (say) a Bentayga I think I'd feel a little hard done by. (Despite both being SUV).

Ziplobb

Original Poster:

1,497 posts

304 months

Monday 30th July 2018
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I did not expect another R500 but I thought it maybe reasonable to expect a lesser 7 or say an MX5 - I use the car a lot this time of the year and it remains taxed until end August or Septemeber depending on the sun ! after that its usually laid up and only comes out to be trailered to a trackday. Its not the same going out on a sunday am in my van !

BertBert

20,685 posts

231 months

Monday 30th July 2018
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Ziplobb said:
I did not expect another R500 but I thought it maybe reasonable to expect a lesser 7 or say an MX5 - I use the car a lot this time of the year and it remains taxed until end August or Septemeber depending on the sun ! after that its usually laid up and only comes out to be trailered to a trackday. Its not the same going out on a sunday am in my van !
if you can be arsed to humour me, what does your insurance policy say in regard to courtesy cars?

framerateuk

2,843 posts

204 months

Tuesday 31st July 2018
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Is the 7 your only car?

When you're in the process of an insurance claim, it's your responsibility to keep costs to a minimum. When the claim finally goes through, if the insurance company can see that you own another vehicle you could have used instead, they'll dig their heels in and be prepared for a long battle to get the money back.

The hire car costs tend to be at least £100 a day, and depending on how long your repair takes, it can add thousands to the policy. (I got hit in my Megane Cup a few years back and after a 4 month repair wait the hire car costs were greater than the repair bill).

All you have to do is google or search on here about insurance companies not paying up for hire cars and you'll find plenty of results. Honestly, if you have another car, use it instead and save yourself the risk of dragging the claim out for months. Unfortunately the fact that you would have used your car for weekends in the summer won't wash with the insurance.

Honestly, if I was in your situation I'd turn down the hire car, use your van and get the 7 sorted. (you'll hate whatever car they give you anyway!).

Wanchaiwarrior

369 posts

234 months

Tuesday 31st July 2018
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BertBert said:
ETA: are you also of the view that insurance is there to put you in the exact position you were in pre-accident?
I am.

Is that not the case then ?

Toaster

2,940 posts

213 months

Wednesday 1st August 2018
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BertBert said:
I can't believe people actually think this. Or why I think completely differently!

A courtesy car isn't designed to put you in the same position as if you had your car. It's designed to provide the reasonable travel utility you had.

So no you are not entitled to another 7. You should expect some reasonable transport.

Bert
Agree with you, but its the toxic entitlement culture that some value in this society, a Merc Coup is a sporty vehicle and quite comfortable, most people do not use a 7 for a daily drive. I reckon the OP should have a 2 seat smart car with a sunroof as an "equivalent vehicle" wink

BertBert

20,685 posts

231 months

Monday 6th August 2018
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Wanchaiwarrior said:
BertBert said:
ETA: are you also of the view that insurance is there to put you in the exact position you were in pre-accident?
I am.

Is that not the case then ?
I don't think it is. There's nothing special about insurance, it's just an arrangement between you and the insurance company. In exchange for some money, they promise to do stuff. So you have a prang in your nice car, it gets mended, but may well have a lower value after the repair, so you are not in the same position. Your car is written off. You will almost certainly get less for it than you think it's worth. You are a higher risk after the accident than before. Well at least the insurance company thinks so, so you pay more for insurance. The list goes on.

In some cases, like if you get some form of new for old cover on a new car, you get pretty close if it's knicked.

Bert
PS there are a few special things in car insurance for example the RTA determines the third party liability cover requirements.

Wanchaiwarrior

369 posts

234 months

Tuesday 7th August 2018
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OK, thanks for that Bert. A bit clearer.