Autoglass requesting £££!!!

Quentin

215HAN wrote: »

the window was smashed if this makes a difference

This is no help to you.

Read your policy on how to make a claim for a windscreen repair, and if you have complied with the policy then make a "complaint" to your insurer.

But if you have not done this in line with the policy, then as others have advised you will have to pay the balance owing.

As your insurers already have been informed about the incident, you will have to disclose this to any new insurer you approach for a quote (they usually ask about your loss history over the previous 3 to 5 years).

KTF

215HAN wrote: »

i arranged this with autoglass but did not agree to anything before i checked with my insurance.

What did you check with your insurance? Did they say that autoglass was their authorised glass repair company?

When I have had glass replaced in the past I have always gone via the insurance company or (in the case of a company car) the leasing company rather than direct.

anotherbaldrick

When I had a screen go I first asked my insurance Co who I should approach, they gave me the name of the wrong company and when I phoned that Co they immediately said they were not the approved installer for that insurance.

gilbert_and_sullivan

215HAN wrote: »

the window was smashed if this makes a difference

Yes it does.

I assume your insurance policy lists glass breakage as covered not just windscreen cover.

Does your policy state windscreen only or all glass under the relevent section.
If it's all glass cover and you've kept to the conditions then maybe a letter to the insurance ombudsman might be in order.

I think we'd all like to know which company to avoid please, not as that helps you but an informed buying public can only be good for good companies if you get my drift.

AlexisV

It sounds like Autoglass have shot themselves in the foot here. They must phone the insurer before carrying any work out - they only phone the insurer on your behalf as a customer service act. The £75 contractual offer that followed was following the fact they had secured the £700 from a third party. The onus is on them to secure payment in principle before undertaking any work.

The only get out clause for them would be if you had misled them e.g. if your insurance had been cancelled through a non-payment. But then they should have uncovered that in their initial check.

I would just tell Autoglass to deal with your insurer and just forward the letter to them to deal with.

At the end of the day, you and/or the insurer will refuse payment and there's not a great deal Autoglass can realistically do.

Autoglass sound a bit gung-ho about carrying out work without authorisation and then attempting to charge people £700: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?288748-Autoglass

Another one: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=639594

Jeff_Bridges_hair

AlexisV wrote: »

Another one: http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=639594

Im surprised that any mackems pay for insurance.

adouglasmhor

marlot wrote: »

My insurance has chosen one particular glasss company, with whom they've done a national deal. Sounds like yours may be similar, and its not Autoglass. What does your insurance handbook say? What does the paperwork you've signed with Autoglass say?

Mine is the same, AA AutoWindshields are the only one you can have through my insurance.

Quentin

AlexisV wrote: »

It sounds like Autoglass have shot themselves in the foot here. .....

No, they know what they are doing!

They will have got the customer to agree (in writing) before doing the job that should they not get paid the full balance by the insurer, then the customer will pay.

AlexisV

Just because it's in writing, it doesn't mean it's enforceable. Who's £700 out of pocket as we speak?

wobbley

adouglasmhor wrote: »

Mine is the same, AA AutoWindshields are the only one you can have through my insurance.

Thats just what many insurance companies want you to think, but it's not true. They can give financial incentives such as a reduced excess to use their preferred repairers, but provided you not trying to rip them off, the decision of who repairs your car is up to you.