Discussion
I drive a 6 month old c-class which did a superb job of slowing down the car behind me today. It's broken but drivable, and will be going into the garage on Monday. Insurance company have confirmed I will be entitled to a courtesy car, but what can I refuse? Normally I would accept anything, but I'm about to go on a 1500 mile trip with 4 people and a family load of luggage. I really want something similar in size and as comfortable. Can I demand something like that? What I don't want is to get acted over with a courtesy car bill when the other insurers say I have been taking the P for not driving off in a Metro!!
V8RX7 said:
You can demand a comparable replacement.
IME they frequently upgrade you immediately rather than argue what's comparable.
Of course you then get the whingers on here saying you ought to accept a Metro as you're driving up the cost of insurance.
I get the driving insurance up argument if I was wandering a few miles to work - but if I am going to do more miles in one trip than I do in a month, I'd like it to be in the car I spend far too much of my salary on. The accident wasn't my fault, so I'd like a similar car. Hopefully I'll get a similar experience to you.IME they frequently upgrade you immediately rather than argue what's comparable.
Of course you then get the whingers on here saying you ought to accept a Metro as you're driving up the cost of insurance.
You are under a duty to mitigate your costs, but if your about to do a 1,500 hundred mile trip you need something as big, and comfortable... Tick that box.
If your insurance company has arranged the repair be aware that their 'approved' repairers often give out only basic hire cars. Some believe that the approval consist of choosing the lowest tenders...
If they have put you onto their accident management company then they will usually supply an equivalent hire car.
If the third party insurers are arranging the repair then I would be insisting that it goes to an MB authorised repairer and that you are given a like for like hire car. They will usually do this swiftly if you mention speaking to a Accident Management Company.
If your insurance company has arranged the repair be aware that their 'approved' repairers often give out only basic hire cars. Some believe that the approval consist of choosing the lowest tenders...
If they have put you onto their accident management company then they will usually supply an equivalent hire car.
If the third party insurers are arranging the repair then I would be insisting that it goes to an MB authorised repairer and that you are given a like for like hire car. They will usually do this swiftly if you mention speaking to a Accident Management Company.
surveyor said:
If the third party insurers are arranging the repair then I would be insisting that it goes to an MB authorised repairer and that you are given a like for like hire car. They will usually do this swiftly if you mention speaking to a Accident Management Company.
Last year, somebody hit my wifes Merc up the rear and it needed a new bumper.We arranged for the car to go to the local Merc dealer as I wanted a genuine bumper, fixings and paint.
This is an S Class and the dealer gave her a crappy first gen A class as a courtesy car.
Now, I would have thought that they would put you in a newer model of what you have or something nice to entice you into upgrading at some point. Seems they are missing a trick here.
V8RX7 said:
No need for luck.
A friend took his old 90's 330D in and was given an AMG Merc.
YOU are allowed to choose your repairer and you shouldn't be inconvenienced.
Of course you are allowed to choose your repairer but on a standard insurance policy you cant dictate your hire car. Its not an issue for me as my premium includes a like for like hire car but its often extra cost.A friend took his old 90's 330D in and was given an AMG Merc.
YOU are allowed to choose your repairer and you shouldn't be inconvenienced.
This sounds like a very straightforward claim against the insurer of the car that hit the OP. What the OP's policy provides is irrelevant: he is entitled to be put into the position he would have been (as near as possible and subject to mitigation) if the tort of negligence had not been committed against him.
As a practical matter (and driver of a seven month old Mercedes, which is obviously much older and sheddier than the OP's) I wouldn't rent anything more expensive than an Insignia type car, purely because the benefits of a slightly nicer car would not outweigh the risk of a dispute over the rate.
He should speak to the third party's insurer and ask them to provide a comparable courtesy car. If for any reason they will not do so, he should then look at incurring the cost of a rental either directly or through an accident management company, and claiming it back from the third party.
He does not need to be driving around in a Kia Picanto until the car is fixed (although if it is safe, driveable and legal, there may not be any need for a replacement car until the car is actually off the road and getting repaired).
As a practical matter (and driver of a seven month old Mercedes, which is obviously much older and sheddier than the OP's) I wouldn't rent anything more expensive than an Insignia type car, purely because the benefits of a slightly nicer car would not outweigh the risk of a dispute over the rate.
He should speak to the third party's insurer and ask them to provide a comparable courtesy car. If for any reason they will not do so, he should then look at incurring the cost of a rental either directly or through an accident management company, and claiming it back from the third party.
He does not need to be driving around in a Kia Picanto until the car is fixed (although if it is safe, driveable and legal, there may not be any need for a replacement car until the car is actually off the road and getting repaired).
Did you buy it, or is it a company car? And if you did, did you buy it from a particular person at a dealership? If yes again, tell them your situation.
Don't kick up a fuss as they won't want to do anything better. Ask nicely. We've leant out some top of the range cars to those who explain as to why they need them.
Don't kick up a fuss as they won't want to do anything better. Ask nicely. We've leant out some top of the range cars to those who explain as to why they need them.
Phil117 said:
Did you buy it, or is it a company car? And if you did, did you buy it from a particular person at a dealership? If yes again, tell them your situation.
Don't kick up a fuss as they won't want to do anything better. Ask nicely. We've leant out some top of the range cars to those who explain as to why they need them.
Same here I'm happy to put a good customer in my demo car and if needs be I will use a part ex that is kicking about.Don't kick up a fuss as they won't want to do anything better. Ask nicely. We've leant out some top of the range cars to those who explain as to why they need them.
craigjm said:
Of course you are allowed to choose your repairer but on a standard insurance policy you cant dictate your hire car. Its not an issue for me as my premium includes a like for like hire car but its often extra cost.
That only applies if the case of a fault accident - as this is a non-fault accident on the part of the OP, his insurer will not be footing the bill.arcticgoldfish said:
I drive a 6 month old c-class which did a superb job of slowing down the car behind me today. It's broken but drivable, and will be going into the garage on Monday. Insurance company have confirmed I will be entitled to a courtesy car,
Whose insurance company?Are you pursuing it through your own insurance, where they try to fix it for you and claim it all from the Third party, or have you got onto the third party stating how and where you'd like it fixed and what you need as temporary replacement?
If you need help try one of these
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by saaby93 on Sunday 18th August 10:29
CYMR0 said:
As a practical matter (and driver of a seven month old Mercedes, which is obviously much older and sheddier than the OP's) I wouldn't rent anything more expensive than an Insignia type car, purely because the benefits of a slightly nicer car would not outweigh the risk of a dispute over the rate.
Pah - I wouldn't be seen dead in a seven month old Mercedes, not until next month anyway. :-)In all seriousness, I'm not worried about exact like for like, it's just that my experience of courtesy cars have always been small hatches in a right state - although that's not through Mercedes. I just want a decent sized diesel that will comfortably take the family and luggage.
saaby93 said:
arcticgoldfish said:
I drive a 6 month old c-class which did a superb job of slowing down the car behind me today. It's broken but drivable, and will be going into the garage on Monday. Insurance company have confirmed I will be entitled to a courtesy car,
Whose insurance company?Are you pursuing it through your own insurance, where they try to fix it for you and claim it all from the Third party, or have you got onto the third party stating how and where you'd like it fixed and what you need as temporary replacement?
If you need help try one of these
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by saaby93 on Sunday 18th August 10:29
arcticgoldfish said:
I may have jumped the gun as I went straight to my insurer because I figured this is a cut and dry no fault.
MaybeIf its cut and dried going straight to the third party can be best.
See how it goes
Last year a friend of a mate got into real trouble with what was supposed to be a simple third party claim, simple he thought.
His own insurer repaired his car at their 'specialist' paint shop
Or they did after about 2 months of waiting for a slot
Meanwhile his insurer accepted full liability so the third party was only too willing to go along with it
After months of arguing as far as I know it's still been written down as 50:50 with protected no claims being the only saviour
When he did get it back the repair wasn't up to scratch, so rather than spend more months arguing any more he's part exed and got rid. Your own insurer doesnt really fight for you.
However there are probably tales the other way too.
Edited by saaby93 on Sunday 18th August 12:55
arcticgoldfish said:
I may have jumped the gun as I went straight to my insurer because I figured this is a cut and dry no fault. Also, it's a lease car, but I'm responsible for all damage and repairs. I need to phone Daimler insurance on Monday to confirm which garage to use. If it matters much, Daimler is underwritten by aviva, same as the third party.
Aviva gave me a 1.2 Corsa via one of their wholly owned repairers.... You'd hope they'd treat a Daimler customer better. Blue Oval84 said:
Just ring Accident Exchange or similar and get them to sort out the whole thing, my mate's 530d was hit recently and he was given an identical replacement no problem as the accident was 100% not his fault.
When I mentioned using them on here I got flamed by people saying how much it pushes up everyone's insurance premiums going through accident management companies. When someone is in a situation like the OPs though, he'll do what suits him at the time rather than doing a 1500 mile trip in a Kia Picanto to avoid putting a slight increase on the cost of everyone else's insurance.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff