Windscreen repair on hire vehicle
Discussion
Not really having good luck recently but would appreciate some advice.
Hopefully I've posted in right section otherwise mods please move it to the right place.
About 2 months ago I got involved in a non fault incident.
I've went through a accident management company to resolve and everything was brilliant on their end.
I've been supplied with a 18 reg vehicle to use whilst my car is being repaired.
Unfortunately last week I've got hit by debris which caused a crack on the windscreen. It's not a big crack but unfortunately will need a whole windscreen replaced.
My excess with the hire company doesn't cover glass and tyres so it looks like I have no choice to shell out from my own pocket.
Got rough estimate from Auto Windscreen as it's about £650 with recalibration.
I suppose I'm just unluckily but would like to know if there is anything I could do to reduce costs? Should I have taken out additional policy to cover the windscreen?
Hopefully I've posted in right section otherwise mods please move it to the right place.
About 2 months ago I got involved in a non fault incident.
I've went through a accident management company to resolve and everything was brilliant on their end.
I've been supplied with a 18 reg vehicle to use whilst my car is being repaired.
Unfortunately last week I've got hit by debris which caused a crack on the windscreen. It's not a big crack but unfortunately will need a whole windscreen replaced.
My excess with the hire company doesn't cover glass and tyres so it looks like I have no choice to shell out from my own pocket.
Got rough estimate from Auto Windscreen as it's about £650 with recalibration.
I suppose I'm just unluckily but would like to know if there is anything I could do to reduce costs? Should I have taken out additional policy to cover the windscreen?
Edited by anxious_ant on Friday 21st September 10:10
anxious_ant said:
Not really having good luck recently but would appreciate some advice.
Hopefully I've posted in right section otherwise mods please move it to the right place.
About 2 months ago I got involved in a non fault incident.
I've went through a accident management company to resolve and everything was brilliant on their end.
I've been supplied with a 18 reg vehicle to use whilst my car is being repaired.
Unfortunately last week I've got hit by debris which caused a crack on the windscreen. It's not a big crack but unfortunately will need a whole windscreen replaced.
My excess with the hire company doesn't cover glass and tyres so it looks like I have no choice to shell out from my own pocket.
Got rough estimate from Auto Windscreen as it's about £650 with recalibration by Volvo.
I suppose I'm just unluckily but would like to know if there is anything I could do to reduce costs? Should I have taken out additional policy to cover the windscreen?
I used to pay for annual hire car insurance after exactly that happened to me (Although not quite so hefty). I was surprised how cheap it was. Now I actually get slightly better hire car insurance free from Amex. Definitely worth it. Hopefully I've posted in right section otherwise mods please move it to the right place.
About 2 months ago I got involved in a non fault incident.
I've went through a accident management company to resolve and everything was brilliant on their end.
I've been supplied with a 18 reg vehicle to use whilst my car is being repaired.
Unfortunately last week I've got hit by debris which caused a crack on the windscreen. It's not a big crack but unfortunately will need a whole windscreen replaced.
My excess with the hire company doesn't cover glass and tyres so it looks like I have no choice to shell out from my own pocket.
Got rough estimate from Auto Windscreen as it's about £650 with recalibration by Volvo.
I suppose I'm just unluckily but would like to know if there is anything I could do to reduce costs? Should I have taken out additional policy to cover the windscreen?
Thanks for the feedback all.
Yes I meant the hire car insurance excess doesn't cover it.
It's down to me to check so it's my fault.
Very expensive lesson learnt. If in the future I'm in an hire car I will check and ensure that glass is covered as could get VERY expensive.
Got another question though, I'm guessing if I get insurance on the hire car I would need to let them sort the windscreen.
What happens if the hire car is due back before it has a chance to be booked in?
Yes I meant the hire car insurance excess doesn't cover it.
It's down to me to check so it's my fault.
Very expensive lesson learnt. If in the future I'm in an hire car I will check and ensure that glass is covered as could get VERY expensive.
Got another question though, I'm guessing if I get insurance on the hire car I would need to let them sort the windscreen.
What happens if the hire car is due back before it has a chance to be booked in?
Edited by anxious_ant on Wednesday 22 August 16:54
agtlaw said:
I recently bought car hire excess insurance. £39.99 for the year. Significantly better value than paying a hire car company £13 per day or similar.
This wouldn't help the OP. The hire car insurance excludes windscreen cover. He doesn't have an excess, because he doesn't have any cover for the excess to apply to. That's how I'm reading it.Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
This wouldn't help the OP. The hire car insurance excludes windscreen cover. He doesn't have an excess, because he doesn't have any cover for the excess to apply to. That's how I'm reading it.
Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
You are spot on. The hire car (courtesy car?) did come with an insurance proded by the hire company but that doesn't cover windscreen/glass and tyres.Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
I've had courtesy cars before although it was on shorter terms and back then everything was covered. My current arrangement is almost like a lease but paid for by 3rd party insurance.
Again it's my bad for not checking thoroughly, very expensive lesson learnt. I would definitely try to add any hire car to my current policy if I know that I will be keeping it for extended periods.
Photo of the damage? Can it really not be repaired?
Is it normal that the hire car insurance doesn't have windscreen cover? I don't know about courtesy cars but I hired a car from Enterprise last year and paid £10 for the excess protection which was lucky as the windscreen ended up chipped
Is it normal that the hire car insurance doesn't have windscreen cover? I don't know about courtesy cars but I hired a car from Enterprise last year and paid £10 for the excess protection which was lucky as the windscreen ended up chipped
Oakey said:
Photo of the damage? Can it really not be repaired?
Is it normal that the hire car insurance doesn't have windscreen cover? I don't know about courtesy cars but I hired a car from Enterprise last year and paid £10 for the excess protection which was lucky as the windscreen ended up chipped
I didn't take a photo before I returned it but it definitely needs a new screen. The chip was about 5p in diameter with half an inch of cracks emanating from it.Is it normal that the hire car insurance doesn't have windscreen cover? I don't know about courtesy cars but I hired a car from Enterprise last year and paid £10 for the excess protection which was lucky as the windscreen ended up chipped
TwigtheWonderkid said:
This wouldn't help the OP. The hire car insurance excludes windscreen cover. He doesn't have an excess, because he doesn't have any cover for the excess to apply to. That's how I'm reading it.
Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
I had the Hire car ""Excess" insurance which was about the same annual amount and it would have covered windscreen etc. Here is the wording Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
insurance said:
If the Rental Vehicle is involved in an Accident or suffers Damage for which You are held responsible under the terms of Your Car
Rental Agreement, We will at Our discretion reimburse You up to the amounts shown on Your Certificate of Insurance for:
· Costs directly relating to the Excess, including charges for Loss of Use following a valid claim under Your Car Rental
Agreement
· Towing costs incurred following an Accident, Damage or Breakdown
· Administration charges
This section includes Damage to auto glass (meaning any glass that forms part of the Rental Vehicle and includes windscreens,
windows, internal and external lights and sunroof), as well as Damage to the roof, tyres and under body of the Rental Vehicle.
My current free cover also covers all this. Rental Agreement, We will at Our discretion reimburse You up to the amounts shown on Your Certificate of Insurance for:
· Costs directly relating to the Excess, including charges for Loss of Use following a valid claim under Your Car Rental
Agreement
· Towing costs incurred following an Accident, Damage or Breakdown
· Administration charges
This section includes Damage to auto glass (meaning any glass that forms part of the Rental Vehicle and includes windscreens,
windows, internal and external lights and sunroof), as well as Damage to the roof, tyres and under body of the Rental Vehicle.
Graveworm said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
This wouldn't help the OP. The hire car insurance excludes windscreen cover. He doesn't have an excess, because he doesn't have any cover for the excess to apply to. That's how I'm reading it.
Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
I had the Hire car ""Excess" insurance which was about the same annual amount and it would have covered windscreen etc. Here is the wording Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
insurance said:
If the Rental Vehicle is involved in an Accident or suffers Damage for which You are held responsible under the terms of Your Car
Rental Agreement, We will at Our discretion reimburse You up to the amounts shown on Your Certificate of Insurance for:
· Costs directly relating to the Excess, including charges for Loss of Use following a valid claim under Your Car Rental
Agreement
· Towing costs incurred following an Accident, Damage or Breakdown
· Administration charges
This section includes Damage to auto glass (meaning any glass that forms part of the Rental Vehicle and includes windscreens,
windows, internal and external lights and sunroof), as well as Damage to the roof, tyres and under body of the Rental Vehicle.
My current free cover also covers all this. Rental Agreement, We will at Our discretion reimburse You up to the amounts shown on Your Certificate of Insurance for:
· Costs directly relating to the Excess, including charges for Loss of Use following a valid claim under Your Car Rental
Agreement
· Towing costs incurred following an Accident, Damage or Breakdown
· Administration charges
This section includes Damage to auto glass (meaning any glass that forms part of the Rental Vehicle and includes windscreens,
windows, internal and external lights and sunroof), as well as Damage to the roof, tyres and under body of the Rental Vehicle.
These policies are mainly designed to pick up the additional costs AFTER the hire car insurance has paid out what it's contracted to pay out. They are not designed to take the place of hire car insurance where you have none.
It's a technical point, but an important one.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Graveworm said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
This wouldn't help the OP. The hire car insurance excludes windscreen cover. He doesn't have an excess, because he doesn't have any cover for the excess to apply to. That's how I'm reading it.
Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
I had the Hire car ""Excess" insurance which was about the same annual amount and it would have covered windscreen etc. Here is the wording Either that or he does have cover, with an excess, but the excess is higher than the cost of the damage. But that's not what he's said.
insurance said:
If the Rental Vehicle is involved in an Accident or suffers Damage for which You are held responsible under the terms of Your Car
Rental Agreement, We will at Our discretion reimburse You up to the amounts shown on Your Certificate of Insurance for:
· Costs directly relating to the Excess, including charges for Loss of Use following a valid claim under Your Car Rental
Agreement
· Towing costs incurred following an Accident, Damage or Breakdown
· Administration charges
This section includes Damage to auto glass (meaning any glass that forms part of the Rental Vehicle and includes windscreens,
windows, internal and external lights and sunroof), as well as Damage to the roof, tyres and under body of the Rental Vehicle.
My current free cover also covers all this. Rental Agreement, We will at Our discretion reimburse You up to the amounts shown on Your Certificate of Insurance for:
· Costs directly relating to the Excess, including charges for Loss of Use following a valid claim under Your Car Rental
Agreement
· Towing costs incurred following an Accident, Damage or Breakdown
· Administration charges
This section includes Damage to auto glass (meaning any glass that forms part of the Rental Vehicle and includes windscreens,
windows, internal and external lights and sunroof), as well as Damage to the roof, tyres and under body of the Rental Vehicle.
These policies are mainly designed to pick up the additional costs AFTER the hire car insurance has paid out what it's contracted to pay out. They are not designed to take the place of hire car insurance where you have none.
It's a technical point, but an important one.
Here is my current wording how about this?
current cover said:
Where mandatory rental insurance must be purchased from or via the rental company in respect of any vehicle hire, the
rental company’s insurance cover shall apply. The Car Rental Benefits provided with Your Card shall apply where rental
insurance is not offered by the rental company or You are able to decline optional rental insurance offered.
These benefits apply to drivers named on the rental agreement which You are named on, subject to a maximum of 5 drivers.
You may have no more than one rental agreement at any one time.
You will be covered for the following:
1) The excess and ANY ITEMS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR under Your rental agreement which are stolen or damaged (including
but not limited to the rental vehicle). This will apply whether or not You are responsible for the accident. You will be
paid no more than the value of the rental vehicle up to £50,000 in respect of any one accident or occurrence.
2) Legal expenses and assistance – Following an accident involving Your rental vehicle, You have the right to select and
appoint a legal representative of Your choice to represent You in respect of any claim submitted, any legal inquiry or
legal proceedings (a legal representative may only be appointed on a contingency fee basis, where lawful and applicable
to do so). You shall provide the Insurer with details of the name and address of the legal representative You have
selected. The Insurer may provide information about legal representatives in Your local area if requested to do so by
You, or may appoint a legal representative to act on Your behalf should You so wish. Where You wish to appoint a legal
representative of Your own choosing, You must obtain pre-approval in writing from Us of that legal representative’s
costs. We will cover Your appointed legal representative’s costs to the extent that such costs do not exceed the costs
that would have been incurred had We appointed a legal representative on Your behalf.
3) Any related compensation and legal costs up to £500,000 (or US $1,000,000 in the USA) arising directly or indirectly
from one cause if You are found legally liable for injuring another person or damaging their property.
rental company’s insurance cover shall apply. The Car Rental Benefits provided with Your Card shall apply where rental
insurance is not offered by the rental company or You are able to decline optional rental insurance offered.
These benefits apply to drivers named on the rental agreement which You are named on, subject to a maximum of 5 drivers.
You may have no more than one rental agreement at any one time.
You will be covered for the following:
1) The excess and ANY ITEMS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR under Your rental agreement which are stolen or damaged (including
but not limited to the rental vehicle). This will apply whether or not You are responsible for the accident. You will be
paid no more than the value of the rental vehicle up to £50,000 in respect of any one accident or occurrence.
2) Legal expenses and assistance – Following an accident involving Your rental vehicle, You have the right to select and
appoint a legal representative of Your choice to represent You in respect of any claim submitted, any legal inquiry or
legal proceedings (a legal representative may only be appointed on a contingency fee basis, where lawful and applicable
to do so). You shall provide the Insurer with details of the name and address of the legal representative You have
selected. The Insurer may provide information about legal representatives in Your local area if requested to do so by
You, or may appoint a legal representative to act on Your behalf should You so wish. Where You wish to appoint a legal
representative of Your own choosing, You must obtain pre-approval in writing from Us of that legal representative’s
costs. We will cover Your appointed legal representative’s costs to the extent that such costs do not exceed the costs
that would have been incurred had We appointed a legal representative on Your behalf.
3) Any related compensation and legal costs up to £500,000 (or US $1,000,000 in the USA) arising directly or indirectly
from one cause if You are found legally liable for injuring another person or damaging their property.
Edited by Graveworm on Friday 24th August 10:52
Yes Graveworm, that appears to be clearer and your policy obviously does take the place of actual car insurance, which is unusual. Although the TP cover is complete rubbish (£500K) so in reality you would always need to take out the rental company's cover, as no one in their right mind would rely of £500K in the UK or $1m in the US.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Yes Graveworm, that appears to be clearer and your policy obviously does take the place of actual car insurance, which is unusual. Although the TP cover is complete rubbish (£500K) so in reality you would always need to take out the rental company's cover, as no one in their right mind would rely of £500K in the UK or $1m in the US.
It wouldn’t be legal cover in the U.K. as a standalone policy. The RTA insists that cover for third party injury should be unlimited and property to £1million, although £20million is accepted as the general rule minimum. Gavia said:
It wouldn’t be legal cover in the U.K. as a standalone policy. The RTA insists that cover for third party injury should be unlimited and property to £1million, although £20million is accepted as the general rule minimum.
Never not had Third party included on a hire car but good advice. Like most here, I wouldn't even bother to stop and pick up 500K if I dropped it running for the bus. 
Graveworm said:
Gavia said:
It wouldn’t be legal cover in the U.K. as a standalone policy. The RTA insists that cover for third party injury should be unlimited and property to £1million, although £20million is accepted as the general rule minimum.
Never not had Third party included on a hire car but good advice. Like most here, I wouldn't even bother to stop and pick up 500K if I dropped it running for the bus. syl said:
Worth having a crack at it (sorry) with a DIY kit.
Well I did book an appointment with Auto Windscreens to sort it. To be fair the repair guy was hinting that I shouldn't have attempted the repair but his manager was pushing for it and stupidly I went for it. The repair made the crack worst so I'm 66 quid out of pocket as well... 
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