Courtesy Car Query

sm1979

Hi,
On New Years eve I was happily driving along the road when I hit black ice under the snow - this led to the car sliding of the road into a field. Phoned the police (advised to phone back once the car was recovered) and Admiral - the girl on the phone was really helpful and organised a tow-truck to pull the car out and take it the repairshop for assessment/repair - the tow was there within an hour without any problems. Due to being shutdown over New Year the repairshop only got the car on Wednesday. I phoned up yesterday to see what is happening but they still have to assess the car - due to the bad snow (I am in the North-east of Scotland) they have not been able to assess the car.

According to my policy I am guaranteed a courtesy car IF my car is being repaired by an approved repairer, but this is dependent on the assessment of the repairer. I am not an expert but I wouldnt say the car is beyond economic repair - it is only 6months old - the main damage is to the front bumper, scratches on the sills and scuffed alloy, but not sure of the unseen damage to the chassis etc though. However they cant tell when the can assess the car due to it being buried under several feet of snow in their yard and cant tell me when they will assess it - it is going to takes weeks for the snow/ice to melt here, i have about 3 feet of it my front garden.

Due to living in the country we need two cars to get about but managed with the one car(I have been working from home so not a problem) but I will be using it next week and my wife needs transport.

Do you think it may be a wise to explain the situation to the insurance company and see if I can get a courtesy car even though mine has not been assessed or is it a case of suck-it-up and just wait?

I may have to hire a car, but as the accident was my fault I probably wont be able to claim this expense back - is this a correct assumption?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there

Sorry to hear of your accident. Hope everything works out ok and you were not injured!!

Most UK policies say that if your car is less than 12 months old (and you are the first registered keeper - ie, it's not been pre-registered and sold on cheap) then the car will be deemed a write off if the damage is over 60% and they will supply you with a brand new car. I suggest you check your policy and see what it says.

In the meantime, if your car is a write off, then I am sorry to say that you will not get a courtesy car.

sm1979

Thanks for your reply there Oscar,

I was only going 20mph so was low impact thankfully. Damage caused by hitting a post and the ground about 2feet lower than the road level - airbags didnt go off. Just a small scratch climbing over the barbedwire fence to out of the field.

The car was a pre-reg - considerably cheaper than a first-reg hence why i bought it, bought a first-reg before and lost a bit when trading in - a lesson learnt there!

It will just be a case of waiting to see what the level of damage is and taking it from the I suppose.

Thanks,

lisyloo

Did you pay for a guaranteed hire car option? extra option and payment) or are you just relying on the main policy?

The problem with relying on the main policy is that it doesn't provide full coverage (as you are finding out) so if you need a car (live in the stix, disabled, small children etc.) then you should pay a little bit ext4ra for the guaranteed car hire option.

I would personally go to the garage inp person (if possible) with the aim of persuading them that's it's clearly not a write off an do they have a car available?
Take the approach of being charming (perhaps send the wife) and see if they might possible find it in their hearts to help you.
You never know if they have a spare car and that might be all it takes.
My understanding is that it's at their discretion.

sm1979

thanks there

looking over the paperwork it looks like i am relying on the main policy:sad: - a bit late to upgrade the policy now but something i will look into come renewal!!

i spoke to the insurance company this morning and explained the possible delay in the assessment - they're going to see if they can sort something out with the garage. fingers crossed

failing that I will just have to look into a 'cheap' hire until they assess the car/deem it repairable and they provide the courtesy car then. hopefully the snow will melt quickly!

you live and learn i suppose!

thanks,

lisyloo

You could also try looking at the lift share databases on line.
People post their journeys so you can do a search to see whether there is anyone going your way at roughly your times.

I have personally found it difficult to find someone going near enough at the right times and I don't live in the stix, but you never know, it might be worth a few minutes effort.

sm1979

thanks for the suggestion lisyloo - didnt think of that. I have found a few folk in the same area that travel to the same area of town. will see if there is anyone nice to offer a lift.
or as my wife suggested i can cycle the 2 miles to the train station, then cycle the 7 miles back out of town to the office - one of getting fit!!!
though may be fun trying to cycle through the snow

gordikin

sm1979, your commonsense approach is a breath of fresh air on MSE! Thank you!

sm1979

just a little update...

got a phone from the insurance co. as the garage is still digging out cars and have a backlog they have agreed to cover the cost of a hire car till they get round to assessing my one.

they will deliver the car to the house when convienent, hopefully tomorrow, then once they have assessed my one I either get a coutesy car or a settlement I suppose, depending on what the damage is.

thanks to those that have posted for your advice.