Chipped glass on rental car windscreen

fox2319

We've got an enterprise rental car while the garage repairs the damage to our car (caused by their error during a service). Just got back from Bristol and noticed a big chip (still smaller than the 5p guideline for repairs) on the windscreen.

Annoyingly, if this had been my car, the fully comp insurance would have covered the cost of a repair for nowt. Can anyone tell me what I'd be likely to be looking at in terms of repair costs for this and whether the garage that knacked my car would be liable for the charge?

Personally, I feel they should be liable as, if I had been in my car, I would not have incurred any extra charges.

I'd appreciate any pointers.

Jeff

BenL

What insurance have you got from Enterprise??

I had a car from Enterprise after an accident, the cost of the car was picked up by the other parties insurance company.

Whilst I had the car a stone chip happened but luckily they did not pick up on it during the inspection afterwards.

They may have found it later but never contacted me, they can find things for days afterwards after the car has been cleaned and go after people for the money.

I took the Enterprise insurance and waivers and billed everything back to the other parties ins co but I think there was a large (£500) excess even with that.

They would have tried to charge me £500 even though the windscreen repair would have been cheaper was my understanding from reading the docs that came with the rental.

I'd take a good look over your rental docs.

As to claiming back off the garage who has your car, I would say you had little or no chance as they cannot be responsible for what happens to you in the other car.

Ben

mikey-mike_2

BenL wrote:

.........As to claiming back off the garage who has your car, I would say you had little or no chance as they cannot be responsible for what happens to you in the other car......

I’d say exactly the opposite, the garage that damaged your car should pick all any and all costs to you that wouldn’t not have been incurred had they not damaged your car. Or, put it another way, they should have insured the hire car to at least the same extent as your own car is covered

Astaroth

If you had claimed on your own insurance though it would have counted as a claim against your policy - ok it doesnt effect your NCD as it is a glass claim but it does go "on your record" and certainly some insurers will put small loads on the premium for those with glass claims. As you are not claiming for the damage however you are not going to have this mark.

Being realistic, how much are they charging for the repair job? Did they fill the chip or replace the screen? (chips in the line of sight has to be replaced rather than repaired irrespective of size)

fox2319

Astaroth wrote:

Being realistic, how much are they charging for the repair job? Did they fill the chip or replace the screen? (chips in the line of sight has to be replaced rather than repaired irrespective of size)

I'd guess that they'll just bill me the £250 excess on the hire. I saw the extra protection when I took it out and said that I believed Enterprise should cover it. The chip is in the wiper sweep but invisible to the driver behind the rear view mirror.

Needless to say I can't contact either the garage or hire company till monday. Will tell the garage about it then and see what they say.

The other side of things now are that I have a £300+ bill with the garage for my original service & MOT (and some repairs) which I will have to pay when I pick the car up. If I get billed by the hire company, can I withhold this from the garage?

Cheers

Jeff

MarkyMarkD

I'm pretty sure that that is not what Astaroth meant.

The cost of repairing a small windscreen chip is very small - probably £30. It takes the windscreen repair people next to no time to do the work.

I would get a quote for the repair, and then ask the garage to agree to pay for it. Leaving it for Enterprise to identify is just asking for trouble IMHO.

chrisw

I would keep quiet about it and if they do spot it, tell them either you hadn't noticed it or it must have been there when you got it.

piggeh

When you take the vehicle back, they are supposed to do an inspection on it, and you will sign for any extra damage. I would advise giving the vehicle back when it's dark, as it makes it more difficult to spot any small bits of damage. If you say 'it was there when I got it' they'll just point to the delivery inspection report and show there was nothing noted. Of course, if they didnt do a delivery inspection sheet and asked you to sign for the condition of the car, they don't have a leg to stand on. Did you sign something which had marked any small scratches, etc? It's normally a pink bit of paper.

However, I would say the garage should be liable for the costs of any repairs and rental if they agreed to supply a hire car.