Rat In My Car - Insurance Claim

sane01

Hi there

As this is a unusual claim I was wondering if I could have some views on this subject.

Last weekend I moved house unfortunatly at the same time my car somehow picked up an extra occupant - a rat. It has done some damage to the back of the car, chewed up behind the dash - so do not know if there has been any damage to the wiring. It also nibbled through one of my child seats. Also was there for around a week we reckon so obviously used my car as a toilet also.

I phoned the car insurance which is through screentrade - Chaucer Insurance who said it would be covered but my child seats are classed as personal belongings and will only cover up until £100.00 and also they will fix the car and wash it. It is now at the bodyshop but they are now saying they think they should replace all seats including child seats due to disease rats carry i.e weils disease.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this type of claim or a view on what should be done. To be clear this was a Rat not a mouse.

Thankyou

Elaine

impy78

As I would check your policy documents to see if damage caused by pests is included or excluded. If it is included, then you should ask that they include the cost of replacing the car seats.

However, the child seats are personal effects, so aside from the £100 offered, you would not be able to claim anything further.

sane01

I understand what you are saying but it should not really be as a car seat is required by law to be in your car, you cannot take them in and out everyday they are really part of the car, I do understand what you are saying but I really think they should be included with the car but then I am not an insurance claims handler and probably never will be as I would be tempted to give away to much money.

Thanks alot though

Elaine

Bossyboots

sane01 wrote:

I understand what you are saying but it should not really be as a car seat is required by law to be in your car, you cannot take them in and out everyday they are really part of the car

They are not part of the car and not required by law to be in there. They are only required to be there if a child is being carried to which the law on child seats applies. Your insurance company are therefore quite right to state that they are personal belongings.

impy78

sane01 wrote:

I am not an insurance claims handler and probably never will be as I would be tempted to give away to much money.

Thanks alot though

Elaine

One of the reasons I left!!!

Astaroth

It depends on the type of seat it is.... if it is only a car seat then it is a vehicle accessory and therefore covered as part of the vehicle. If it is one of these that attaches to a buggy frame etc (ie used outside of the car) then it is arguable that it isnt a car accessory and therefore personal possessions.

sane01

Thankyou for that at last someone who agrees with me, it is not one that goes on a buggy.

The thing is I think a personal effect etc is really something that you can take in an out your car at will you really cannot stick a car seat under your arm everynight and take it into the house can you. Apart from that all these road safety experts are always harping on about car seats not been fitted properly, I think a whole lot more would be fitted improperly if you did take it out your car everynight, so I am sorry I still think it is not a personal belonging but it is essential part of your vehicle if you have children and I am glad that someone else agrees with me.

Cheers