car hire damage

jesmin45

i have a vehicle from a car hire company whilst mine is being repaired after being in an accident which was not my fault. i have now noticed the hire car has 2 scratches on the rear bumper (they were not there when i got the car), so it must of been done wjilst i have been parked up somewhere, am i best to report it now to the car hire co and wait til the car goes back, also will i be liable to pay for the scratches to be repaired?

forgotmyname

You will be liable for the excess or lose your deposit if you left one.

It wont be cheap. Maybe try and get them sorted yourself.

McKneff

Doesnt the hire car company cover this through their own insurance which is paid for within the hire charge.

There may be an excess on this, but did they not offer you excess insurance when you got the vehicle.

Could you not try to get rid of the scratches with t cut to minimize them.

jesmin45

There is an excess of £250 i will try and t cut them and hope for the best, thanks

stephent82

Who is supplying the car? Is it your insurance company, the 'at fault' insurer, the garage or yourself?

Typically (but not always), if provided by the at fault insurer they will supply insurance (either through themselves or the car rental company) to match the excess of your own policy.

What car rental companies tend to do is claim your full excess for the damage and then repay any funds that are not used... but they will tend to want either a full panel respray.

How bad is the damage? Is the bumper plastic, fiberglass and is it colour matched?

jesmin45

its from drive assist thru my insurance company who will claim the cost of the hire vehicle back thru the at fault insurer. there are 2 approx 5 inch scratches which have taken the paint off its white underneath, the car is grey, the bumper is fibreglass and colour matched.

stephent82

I worked for a car rental company for quite some time and I can tell you that we would be looking to replace the bumper (or have the bumper resprayed by the manufacturer). Either way, it would be pricey.

There are companies that may be able to help fix the issue (search the net for scratch removal companies). You should, however, remember that if you do anything but report the issue to the rental company you will be breaking your terms of contract.

InsideInsurance

If it is a credit hire then there will be an excess to pay, despite it only being two small scratches you'll be surprised how high the cost of repair is, particularly if they add on the loss of earnings for the few days they claim the car has to off the road and the £500-1000 excess being payable in full. It could be worth looking at getting them fixed yourself or it could be worth ignoring them and hoping they want be spotted (depending on how bad they are)

jesmin45

Thanks Stephen, would I have to pay it or would my own insurance cover it apart from the £250 excess?

jesmin45

This is what it says on the terms and conditions under the insurance bit ...

Insurance

13.

a ) Where the vehicle is insured under the Drive Assist Policy: During the hire period the vehicle shall be covered by the Drive Assist Policy subject to payment by the Hirer of the policy excess set out overleaf unless the Hirer has indicated overleaf
that he elects excess waiver in which case no excess shall be payable. The Hirer shall at no time do or omit to do anything which would cause the insurance cover to be reduced or avoided and, in the event of a claim on the policy shall fully
cooperate with the Lessor and the insurer in respect of such a claim.

b ) Where the vehicle is insured under the Hirer's insurance policy: If the Hirer indicates overleaf that he wishes to provide his own insurance, the following provision shall apply:
i) it shall be the Hirer's responsibility to insure the vehicle for the hire period for its full value against loss or damage (including windscreen damage) by accident, fire or theft under a comprehensive policy of insurance with a
reputable insurance office;
ii) the Hirer shall at the Lessor's request supply full details of the policy to the Lessor and shall instruct the insurers that the Lessor's name shall be endorsed on the policy;
iii) the Hirer shall not use the vehicle in contravention of the terms of the policy and shall procure that any compensation under the said insurance is paid directly to the Lessor;
iv) if the Hirer shall effect insurance which is not comprehensive or if for any other reason the amount paid by the Hirer's insurers in respect of any claim made shall be less than the loss or damage (whether direct, indirect or
consequential) suffered by the Lessor then the Hirer shall pay the difference to the Lessor.

jesmin45

i am insured under the lessors insurance with an excess of £250