Car Insurance Excess Rip-off

david_proctor_2

CAR WINDSCREEN REPLACEMENT:- Just recently I had the need to have my windscreen replaced. I contacted the "Brokers" who advised that I should use " ****glass " being that they were the Insurers "Authorised" repairers. May I mention at this point... I have been in business for over 40 years and have had a full UK licence since 1965... so ... I have had a "few" cars and windscreens replaced in my days. So... the Authorised repairer told me it would be £260- total. This was revised "up" by £25- when they realised that some "extra" trim bits will be needed....!! But ... my insurers only cover up to £200- of which I need to pay £60... this then turned out that I would be liable for NOT £60- excess ... but .. £60- + £60- + £25 ..!! (My Policy is Fully Comprehensive). All in all it was going to cost me around £145- in "Excess". I then contacted another "BIG" company "Silver Shield" who did the whole job for £130-
I call it a "Rip-Off" the way the Insurers "TRY" to get you to use "Their" bed-mates ... and charge you more than double the "proper" price. Obviously "someone" is doing "very nicely" out of this "cosy" set up...!!
Trading Standards and other Government bodies are "NOT" interested... so
be warned..!! PS: I have dumped both the agents and Insurers half way through the policy and moved on....!! Will NEVER use either of them again .. or indeed " ****glass " ALL "3" are VERY big National names on TV and everywhere... just goes to show... !!

harveybobbles

I've never heard of that before...

Windscreen excesses are normally 50-75quid.

vikingaero

Who did you insure with David? Sounds like you went for a cheapo company with cheapo levels of cover.

Conor_3

Seconded. Get cheapo insurance, pay through the nose. On my policy, it states a £50 excess for windscreen replacement whether it costs £150 or £1000.

anewman

Most of those type of companies only exist to try screw insurers out of as much cash as possible anyway

Just seems like a bad choice of insurers in this case I think.

david_proctor_2

harveybobbles wrote: »

I've never heard of that before...

Windscreen excesses are normally 50-75quid.

Thanks mate...

The agents "were" Hastings Direct. The Insurers were Sabre...

reputable names...?? No further comment for fear of litigation ..!!

But...... I would have thought that I was in "safe" hands..??

regards David.

david_proctor_2

vikingaero wrote: »

Who did you insure with David? Sounds like you went for a cheapo company with cheapo levels of cover.

The Agents "were" Hastings Direct.
The Insurers were Sabre
The expensive screen fitters are Autoglass.

I ALWAYS get fully comprehensive cover.. I have OVER 20 years of no claims..... and the last one was for when one of our cars was stolen ... not an accident....!!

I would have thought that Hastings Direct could be regarded as reputable..?? and safe to deal with.... I reserve further comments for fear of litigation ..!! but .... you can guess at what I "really" think of the set up..

regards David.

david_proctor_2

Conor wrote: »

Seconded. Get cheapo insurance, pay through the nose. On my policy, it states a £50 excess for windscreen replacement whether it costs £150 or £1000.

Hi Mate.... Cheapo Insurance ..?? depend upon what you mean by that...
IE: A "good" value price ..?? or ... a "crap" insurer / agent ..??

The Agent was .. Hastings Direct.... The Insurers were Sabre.
The Screen fitters (who were expensive !!) Autoglass...

So ... Cheapo...?? These are leading brands and names..??

Which ... I would (previously) have regarded as reputable and to be trusted.. I will make not futther comment for fear of litigation ..!!
but.... what do YOU make of it ..??

regards David.

ArsenalFC

Good thing you got shot of them. They are clearly not providing a good service and they should be named and shamed. As for fear of further comment due to litigation, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

vikingaero

Sorry to burst your bubble David, but Hastings are part of the Admiral Group who comprise Admiral, Bell Direct, Elephant, Diamond etc. Just because they are a household name counts for nothing. Admiral Group are well known for being the bottom end of the market for cover and their infamous "Standard Parts Replacement Clause".

David,

After reading Hastings site there isn't a lot of information on windscreen replacement and I feel you have been wrongly charged for the additional items. Most windscreens come complete with a "trim and adhesive pack" because most trims are fit once items and get destroyed/bent/mangled if they are removed. I would contact Hastings to clarify.

david_proctor_2

vikingaero wrote: »

Sorry to burst your bubble David, but Hastings are part of the Admiral Group who comprise Admiral, Bell Direct, Elephant, Diamond etc. Just because they are a household name counts for nothing. Admiral Group are well known for being the bottom end of the market for cover and their infamous "Standard Parts Replacement Clause".

David,

After reading Hastings site there isn't a lot of information on windscreen replacement and I feel you have been wrongly charged for the additional items. Most windscreens come complete with a "trim and adhesive pack" because most trims are fit once items and get destroyed/bent/mangled if they are removed. I would contact Hastings to clarify.

Thanks Again....(from David)... It is all water under the bridge now ... as I have re-insured with another agent and insurer... but .... before doing so... I gave "ALL" parties the opportunity to both clarify & rectify the situation... by writing lengthy... very descriptive letters and counter copying all correspondence to all involved..... In general ... the repies were ... read the small print...!! OK.... but the "small print" does NOT give an indication that .... by using "THEIR" authorised repairer IE: Autoglass.... (in this instance) I would be charged "more" than TWICE the price of Silver Shield who ... as said ... did the WHOLE job for £130-.... Funny.... that SABRE send me to their "pals"... who in turn try to "shaft" me....!! Think about it.... how many people... EVERY day have windscreens replaced..?? and ... I would love to know what sort of "kick-back" (if any!! I had better say ..!!) the Insurers get from Authorised Repairers... If the answer is "NONE" ... then pull the other one..!! Insurance companies are NOT daft enough to pay "DOUBLE" for ANYTHING ....!! About the trim...??... I agree with you...I Know the trim clips are a once only use.. and ... dont tell me the screen fitters would argue this point... never had this "crap" before in my life ... and ... as said ... had many screen replacements since getting behind a "wheel" in 1965

Thanks again... David.