Car Insurance courtesy car wait!

VicHG

Hi,

I've been waiting on the garage who the insurance lets you deal with one-on-one to, and their insurance states if the car is repairable then a car is issued. It took 5 days for them to get the car (because of the weekend) and in totally it's the 11th day from the accident today with me waiting - with todays excuse being 'the weather' ... All I'm wondering is how long are you meant to wait as I will need a car come the weekend?!

Thanks for anyones thoughts on this.

Vic

keith1950

Courtesy cars are usually only supplied by the repairer when the repair actually starts, that is, after estimates have been done and authorised and parts needed ordered and received.

The only way you would normally get a car sooner would be if you where getting a hire car, either because you have paid for one on your policy or if the accident is down to the other party then their insurer would supply one.

VicHG

I was informed about the work needing to be done last wednesday (20th), and if that was the case for the wait it doesn't explain using a back log and weather as an excuse, as they had a genuine reason 'waiting on parts' or whatever. It's supposed to be completed by the 2nd of april - at this rate the car will be returned before they issue a car. And if they don't 'work' bank hols then they've only got 3 days to complete the work.

I know what you're saying it just doesn't make sense :-( but thank you :-)

keith1950

I can see why you are confused when you are being given conflicting and unnecessary excuses.
I suppose the extra work etc. caused by the weather might mean there is a backlog of estimates and you will have you wait your turn.

This needs to be clarified as soon as possible, however I stand by my explanation of what normally happens. Quite often by the time an estimate is carried out then authorised and then the necessary parts ordered and received and then the work slotted into the garage schedule it can be 2 to 3 weeks before work commences on the car , you then get the courtesy car.

On the other hand hire cars are sometimes authorised and received within a couple of hours of the accident, but someone has to pay for a hire car so unless the accident is down to the third party you would not want to risk ending up being chased for hire costs.