Insurance. When comprehensive isn't
Discussion
I insure my car with that big grocer with the blue stripy bags. I have, according to my policy statement "Comprehensive" cover.
I've had to have a new windscreen installed. I phone the installers, paid the £75 excess and dropped the car off. An hour ago, I received a call from them saying that the blue stripy people have turned down the claim as I am not covered.
I called them to remonstrate. But, their stance is that 'Comprehensive' is not "Fully Comprehensive" and that as I bought the policy online, I should have noticed that windscreen replacement was excluded.
I did ask them how a comprehensive policy can in some circumstances not be comprehensive. They replied that I had bought an agreed value policy and then they referred me to my policy document.
Now, I'm old enough to know that you can't really win these battles and so I am resigned to paying the £1300 for the windscreen. Ultimately, it is my fault for not reading the small print.
However, the blue stripy bag people have obviously lost out come renewal time. They won't be getting my one thousand pounds. And, if my sorry tale can persuade just one of you not to use them this year, then I shall claim a Pyrrhic victory. A draw, if you will.
So, remember when it comes to the blue stripy bag people, Comprehensive does not mean what it says in the dictionary.
"Every little helps".
I've had to have a new windscreen installed. I phone the installers, paid the £75 excess and dropped the car off. An hour ago, I received a call from them saying that the blue stripy people have turned down the claim as I am not covered.
I called them to remonstrate. But, their stance is that 'Comprehensive' is not "Fully Comprehensive" and that as I bought the policy online, I should have noticed that windscreen replacement was excluded.
I did ask them how a comprehensive policy can in some circumstances not be comprehensive. They replied that I had bought an agreed value policy and then they referred me to my policy document.
Now, I'm old enough to know that you can't really win these battles and so I am resigned to paying the £1300 for the windscreen. Ultimately, it is my fault for not reading the small print.
However, the blue stripy bag people have obviously lost out come renewal time. They won't be getting my one thousand pounds. And, if my sorry tale can persuade just one of you not to use them this year, then I shall claim a Pyrrhic victory. A draw, if you will.
So, remember when it comes to the blue stripy bag people, Comprehensive does not mean what it says in the dictionary.
"Every little helps".
Has it been fitted before they got authorisation?
If so I'd be having words with them too for not checking before they continued.
Although I'd have thought windscreen cover was something you'd check your policy documents for as soon as you got it, as I wouldn't expect it to be included FOC in most polices anyway. Same as for legal cover, courtesy car, business use, etc.
If so I'd be having words with them too for not checking before they continued.
Although I'd have thought windscreen cover was something you'd check your policy documents for as soon as you got it, as I wouldn't expect it to be included FOC in most polices anyway. Same as for legal cover, courtesy car, business use, etc.
Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 13th November 18:11
Did you get authorisation from your insurers & then take it to their 'approved repairer' or just take it to a windscreen repairer & get them to do it?
Seen this before on forums - possibly also on here - where people have gone to a non-approved repairer & had their claim knocked back as the company are not the one used by their insurers.
We've had a couple of screens done through the insurance, but have always phoned the insurers first & never had a problem.
Seen this before on forums - possibly also on here - where people have gone to a non-approved repairer & had their claim knocked back as the company are not the one used by their insurers.
We've had a couple of screens done through the insurance, but have always phoned the insurers first & never had a problem.
Come to think of it, I was sent by the insurers to National Windscreens. And National windscreens told me there would be an excess charge........
ETA: I phones the stripey bag people and I may have a case for being mislead as they sent me to National Windscreens as their approved installers and then NW were informed that there was a £75 excess charge on the policy. I paid that over the phone and so would be right to assume that I was covered. It was only after the work had been started that the claim was turned down.
My case has been handed over to their dedicated Windscreen complaint department (yes, they really have one) I should here within the next 48 hours.
I shall update as and when.
ETA: I phones the stripey bag people and I may have a case for being mislead as they sent me to National Windscreens as their approved installers and then NW were informed that there was a £75 excess charge on the policy. I paid that over the phone and so would be right to assume that I was covered. It was only after the work had been started that the claim was turned down.
My case has been handed over to their dedicated Windscreen complaint department (yes, they really have one) I should here within the next 48 hours.
I shall update as and when.
Edited by Blib on Tuesday 13th November 20:38
Blib said:
Come to think of it, I was sent by the insurers to National Windscreens. And National windscreens told me there would be an excess charge........
ETA: I phones the stripey bag people and I may have a case for being mislead as they sent me to National Windscreens as their approved installers and then NW were informed that there was a £75 excess charge on the policy. I paid that over the phone and so would be right to assume that I was covered. It was only after the work had been started that the claim was turned down.
My case has been handed over to their dedicated Windscreen complaint department (yes, they really have one) I should here within the next 48 hours.
I shall update as and when.
me thinks that the fact the sent you rather than saying you were not covered, there is a ETA: I phones the stripey bag people and I may have a case for being mislead as they sent me to National Windscreens as their approved installers and then NW were informed that there was a £75 excess charge on the policy. I paid that over the phone and so would be right to assume that I was covered. It was only after the work had been started that the claim was turned down.
My case has been handed over to their dedicated Windscreen complaint department (yes, they really have one) I should here within the next 48 hours.
I shall update as and when.
Edited by Blib on Tuesday 13th November 20:38
of light. Similarly National Windscreens shouldn't have done the workI'm fully comp but when someone hit the back of my car they wouldn't pursue the other side for the cost of repairs and just made me pay the repair costs (which was less than my excess).
I'm still trying to work out how to play that one. On further enquiry they said that was an extra - legal protection or something which I hadn't added on when they try and flog you the extras when you take out a policy.
Good luck OP I think you have a very strong case.
I'm still trying to work out how to play that one. On further enquiry they said that was an extra - legal protection or something which I hadn't added on when they try and flog you the extras when you take out a policy.
Good luck OP I think you have a very strong case.
I'm meant to pick up the car tomorrow at midday from National Windscreens. I'm not sure how to play this as I assume NW will want me to pay for the work before releasing the car.
I am in now dispute with blue stripey bag. So, I'd rather not be out of pocket and trying to get my money back from them. I could refuse to pick it up until the issue is resolved. It is a weekend car.
This may concentrate both stripey and NW's minds.
I am in now dispute with blue stripey bag. So, I'd rather not be out of pocket and trying to get my money back from them. I could refuse to pick it up until the issue is resolved. It is a weekend car.
This may concentrate both stripey and NW's minds.
Blib said:
@ the PH swear filter!John Mervyn Guthrie Griffith-Jones, CBE MC QC (1 July 1909 – 13 July 1979) was a British judge and former barrister. He is most famous for leading the prosecution of Penguin Books in the obscenity trial in 1960 following the publication of D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover.
His much quoted remark in his opening statement as to whether the novel was something "you would even wish your wife or servants to read" is often cited as representing the extent to which the British 'Establishment' had fallen out of touch with popular opinion at the time. He failed to convince the jury at the Chatterley trial, and the publishers were acquitted.
eldar said:
Blib said:
@ the PH swear filter!John Mervyn Guthrie Griffith-Jones, CBE MC QC (1 July 1909 – 13 July 1979) was a British judge and former barrister. He is most famous for leading the prosecution of Penguin Books in the obscenity trial in 1960 following the publication of D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover.
His much quoted remark in his opening statement as to whether the novel was something "you would even wish your wife or servants to read" is often cited as representing the extent to which the British 'Establishment' had fallen out of touch with popular opinion at the time. He failed to convince the jury at the Chatterley trial, and the publishers were acquitted.
OP,do not pay, for f*ck's sake! You certainly do not owe National Windscreens £1,300. This is a matter for your insurer to either settle or write off.
You havent enetered into a contract with NW either, I dont think, even though you paid them £75, but even if you have it wasnt ever to pay their full 'retail' price.
You havent enetered into a contract with NW either, I dont think, even though you paid them £75, but even if you have it wasnt ever to pay their full 'retail' price.
LoonR1 said:
Blib said:
They replied that I had bought an agreed value policy and then they referred me to my policy document.
"Agreed value" - are you sure?I think you might find you've bought their "value" product, similar quality to the food on offer.
Yep, they do Standard and Value cover, Value excludes the extra options like windscreens and personal injury among other things although they are both Comprehensive policies i.e. not TPF&T.
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