Car damaged, cheap courtesy car

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Our Porsche Macan was recently damaged by another car while parked. They owned up, we've exchanged insurance details and the Porsche is now at the garage being repaired. They admitted full liability, so it's on their insurance. So far, so good.

However, we've been given a cheap Ford as a loan car for the next month. As far as I see it, we are out of pocket and their insurer should give us something similar (there's no parking cameras & it's slow). They've agreed. Nearby where we live there is nothing available that's better than the cheap Ford. What can we do? Can we claim money for the difference in the cost to hire the Ford vs a similar Porsche? I'd be happy with a similar kind of car but it's highly unlikely to happen. Anyone here had this happen to them, or clued up on the legals to say what we can do?

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InitialDave said:

I wouldn't be bothered for a month.

Yeah me too, but the garage has already prepped us with horror stories of other cars having parts that aren't coming until December. So I'm trying to see what can be done now rather than waiting a few months. I'm sure it'll drag on.

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Tony1963 said:

I’ve just coughed up a bit of sick.

I don't get this attitude? We are out of pocket. It's not our fault at all, the other driver smashed up our car. Why should we put up with something poor when the insurers should cover it?

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GranpaB said:

Considering all the st going on at the moment, and the insurer has said there is nothing else available what are you expecting them to do?

I’m simply looking to not be out of pocket for some other numpty rolling into our car. We’ve had our car taken off the road and the insurers should provide something equivalent, which they are not doing.

Perhaps I’ve asked in the wrong forum as there seems to be more snide remarks than useful posts?

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budgie smuggler said:

When I used to work in an insurer, we used to say "you have a duty to mitigate your losses" when third parties claiming against us would have this moan.
Your best line of attack will be a specific reason why you need something like a Macan. Might not get you a more premium car, but it would likely get you into something larger and generally more tolerable.

Thanks. What might complicate this is that we have the same insurer as the party who crashed into our car. So it's in the insurer's interest to short change us, but it feels wrong for them to be doing it.

In the event that nothing else is available and we can persuade them that we do require something better, would insurers ever compensate us for this loss? e.g. cost to hire similar vehicle minus cost to hire current vehicle x days that we have to use it? Unfortunately, it's highly likely that this is the best car that will be available.

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KungFuPanda said:

Contact the third party insurer directly. They will have existing contracts in place with hire providers and they should arrange a like for like hire vehicle for you.

If they don’t play ball, go see an accident management company.

They are the same insurance company. It's extremely unlikely that any better car will be available at all due to our location.

Do you have suggestions on useful accident management companies?

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alscar said:

Just be aware that the higher your claim amount the more you may get stung on renewal.
Accident management companies don’t come cheap so whilst they may get you a better car just be aware.
I imagine you securing a better car based on the Ford being “ cheap “ won’t work - far better perhaps to suggest that your dogs won’t fit in so can you please have something more suitable.
But you still aren’t out of pocket as such.

It's not our fault. We came back to a damaged parked car, with another car lodged in the side of it. So it shouldn't affect our renewal at all?

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NDNDNDND said:

Are you leasing/PCP'ing the Porsche? Could you find a representative cost for leasing the car you've been given and claim the difference in monthly payments, pro rata?

No it was paid for, there's no finance on it. But given that we're unlikely to get a better hire car, something like this approach might be the best route to take. Hopefully they'll hurry the repair up if it's costing them more...

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Sheepshanks said:

the OP not picking the like-for-like courtesy car option

We have that but there isn't a like-for-like available. Hence the reason for making the thread.

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Tyre Smoke said:

because you think you're something better than a Ford Focus driver

Love the judgement! My other car is a Ford Fiesta

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Tyre Smoke said:

So do you actually need the Focus at all?

There’s more than just me in the household, so yes, we do. But if I had ten cars would it make any difference? We’re not in a socialist republic and I’m faced with an extended period without my damaged car, something similar, or recompense.

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GasEngineer said:

Tyre Smoke said:

Apart from badge snobbery, of which the OP has plenty, despite only being able to afford the payments of the Freelander of the Porsche World, what does the Macan do that the Focus can't?

Absolutely no need for this type of comments... Why do moderators allow it?

Exactly - more bitterness based on conjecture. I stated earlier that it wasn't financed, there aren't any payments. Not sure why there are abusive messages like this? They would be better off trying to be helpful to someone.

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NGee said:

The OP wanted a Macan, he bought a Macan, he insured the Macan. he paid for 'like for like' on the Macan.

Through no reason of his own it is now off the road - maybe you can explain why he can't still have a Macan?

^ This exactly.

People have assumed I'm being a badge snob, when I'm not - I own a Ford too. I've paid for something and been fobbed off with something different, and I'm left wondering if there's any recourse.

It seems there's an awful lot of judgement and assumptions rather than helpful posters around here.