Car Hire Like for Like

[mattshiz]

Hi guys, was hoping i could get some opinions.

My Lotus Elise was crashed into last week, other party accepted full liability, dropped the car into my chosen repairer this morning.

Now i use this car as my daily driver as I wanted something enjoyable for the commute, and Aviva's choice of car hire company have offered me a Avensis/Insignia as a hire car.

Im not really happy with this as I feel these cars are at the complete opposite end of the spectrum to an Elise, I don't really want a massive car, but equally don't want a Chevrolet Spark.

What would you guys expect has a replacement vehicle if your Elise was being fixed?

Edited by mattshiz on Saturday 14th March 12:41

[Magic919]

Anything that would do the job. I'd rather not become part of the problem.

[Jonno02]

Had my Leon FR+ hit and other party took full liability. Was promised a like for like. Was offered an Insignia, said no. They gave me a 1.4 petrol astra when I insisted I needed a diesel for work commute. Had it for a day and then demanded the car be swapped as it was nowhere near like for like. Was promised a 2.0 diesel golf and a 1.7 vauxhall Mokka turned up in the drive. Ended up just keeping it and although it's no fun to drive, it gets me from A to B for a few weeks. If you can get roughly the same size, preference of diesel/petrol, then that's all you can really hope for.

[mattshiz]

Magic919 said:

Anything that would do the job. I'd rather not become part of the problem.

Part of what problem?

If i wanted something that 'just did the job' I wouldn't have bought an Elise in the first place.

[ecsrobin]

I'd be more concerned that my car was being repaired than what hire car I get.

You had a car they gave you a car I'd say that's like for like

[legless]

Generally something with wheels, seats and an engine.

st happens - I had a Skoda Citigo when my A6 Allroad BiTDI was being repaired after a no-fault claim. To be honest, I was grateful for the ability to still be able to travel.

It's the 'like for like' hire car rackets that push everyone's premiums up.

[SmithyAG]

Magic919 said:

Anything that would do the job. I'd rather not become part of the problem.

+1

Anything that was suitable.

"the problem" being insurance prices rising due to people demanding like for like hire cars to replace a sports car for what is usually a brief period.

[Sump]

Depends. A claim managment company I'd demand something in the same category.

From own insurance company or third parties I'd expect any bag of st. They usually give you a chargeable option of having a like for like.

[PurpleMoonlight]

mattshiz said:

Part of what problem?

If i wanted something that 'just did the job' I wouldn't have bought an Elise in the first place.

But you aren't buying the car offered, you are just borrowing it for a relatively short period of time.

I could understand your complaint if you had a people carrier because you had 300 children and they offered you a mini, but you don't .....

[eldar]

Where could you hire a 13 year old Lotus from?

[Sump]

SmithyAG said:

+1

Anything that was suitable.

"the problem" being insurance prices rising due to people demanding like for like hire cars to replace a sports car for what is usually a brief period.

Duh, why should someone be stuck in a peasants car due to someone else fault?

[Sump]

eldar said:

Where could you hire a 13 year old Lotus from?

It works in categories, likely a Z4 would be offered.

[ecsrobin]

eldar said:

Where could you hire a 13 year old Lotus from?

But it's not like for like as his is blue and they've given me green, my enjoyment on the commute has gone.

[mattshiz]

SmithyAG said:

+1

Anything that was suitable.

"the problem" being insurance prices rising due to people demanding like for like hire cars to replace a sports car for what is usually a brief period.

No the problem is dozy idiots that drive straight into the back of me when I've stopped.

[mattshiz]

eldar said:

Where could you hire a 13 year old Lotus from?

Im not sure, but if you find out could you let me know? Im pretty sure they'd still cost more to hire than an avensis.

[98elise]

Sump said:

SmithyAG said:

+1

Anything that was suitable.

"the problem" being insurance prices rising due to people demanding like for like hire cars to replace a sports car for what is usually a brief period.

Duh, why should someone be stuck in a peasants car due to someone else fault?

Because thats all the other insurance company is obliged to do. They don't have to pander to your special needs unless you've agreed that with them up front. A car is fundamentally a means of transport, and it just has to do the same job as the one its replacing.

[mattshiz]

Honestly I'm not expecting a Z4 or anything ridiculous as a replacement but just something adequate. The Avensis in my opinion is too large, with more potential to get damaged in the works car park, which would mean me then paying the hire firms excess. At the other end of the scale a 1litre city car doesn't really have enough poke for me to feel safe on the motorway. (unless they've improved immeasurably in recent years, its been a while since i have driven a 1 litre).

[confused_buyer]

Sump said:

Duh, why should someone be stuck in a peasants car due to someone else fault?

I would imagine a new Avenins/Insignia is considerably more expensive than a 13 year old Elise, even a 111S.

[ecsrobin]

mattshiz said:

Honestly I'm not expecting a Z4 or anything ridiculous as a replacement but just something adequate. The Avensis in my opinion is too large, with more potential to get damaged in the works car park, which would mean me then paying the hire firms excess. At the other end of the scale a 1litre city car doesn't really have enough poke for me to feel safe on the motorway. (unless they've improved immeasurably in recent years, its been a while since i have driven a 1 litre).

You clearly have a car in mind, what would you want?

[confused_buyer]

mattshiz said:

Honestly I'm not expecting a Z4 or anything ridiculous as a replacement but just something adequate. The Avensis in my opinion is too large, with more potential to get damaged in the works car park, which would mean me then paying the hire firms excess. At the other end of the scale a 1litre city car doesn't really have enough poke for me to feel safe on the motorway. (unless they've improved immeasurably in recent years, its been a while since i have driven a 1 litre).

Then they'll offer you an Astra, which is the next size down. To be fair to 1.0 litre cars these days, a lot of then are perfectly adequate motorway tools.

It is better than the Bus which is the other alternative. At the end of the day they are keeping you mobile and minimising your inconvenience which is all they are required to do.