Sold Car Hire Excess which was not even relevant to my car hire.

quichelorraine

Hi,

Would be good to get some legal advice on this if possible before I complain to the company.

I hired a car a few months ago for 2 days/1 night, and as I was going through the booking process I was offered excess car hire insurance which was through Mondial/Allianz Global Assistance. Believing that if they are offering this car insurance with my booking that it must be relevant I decided to take out the policy.

Cut to a few months later, and Avis get back to me saying there was damage to the car, £330 for a tiny dent(don't get me started on that, but that's not why I am here). Ok, I didn't believe them, but thought it's fine, the insurance can sort it out for me. So I sent off my claim and the insurance firm have come back to me saying that it is a clause in their policies that when taking out insurance within your own country, you need to have booked a 2 night stay somewhere at the same time.

Now, yes, I know that I should have read through all the Ts & Cs so please no comments about that, but surely, I should not have been offered this insurance in the first place? The firm I booked through knew I was booking the car for a shorter period of time, and I was hiring it from a location next door to my house, so it was quite clear that I was not going to be staying somewhere for 2 nights.

I'm just wondering what people think I can do about this? Could I go down the missold route, or will I just be told I should have checked the Ts & Cs properly?

dacouch

How eactly was the cover sold to you?

What is the name of the company who sold you the cover?

quichelorraine

I hired the car through Argus car hire online. Just doing it again now, this is what it says, when you are offered all the extras:

Vehicle Hire Excess & Security Deposit protection Insurance


Avoid costly Excess Charges for just GBP 4.99 a day! Allianz Global Assistance Excess & Security Deposit protection Insurance gives you peace of mind. Most rental companies charge an Excess or take a security deposit. If you damage the vehicle or if it is stolen you will pay the first GBP 2000.00

Our Policy covers:

1. Excess up to GBP 2000.00
2. Deductions from your security deposit
3. Windows
4. Tyres
5. Undercarriage
6. Roof
7. Rental car key cover up to GBP 500.00
8. Personal Possessions up to GBP 300.00

Allianz Global Assistance is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA)

1. I wish to purchase excess reimbursement insurance for GBP 4.99
2. I have read and understand the excess reimbursement terms and conditions

And yes, it does say somewhere in the middle of all the T&Cs about 2 nights accom, but still.

Quentin

If you read the ts + cs you knew that you weren't going to be covered so why did you buy it?

You can try your luck with a complaint but don't hold your breath.

quichelorraine

No, I didn't read all the Ts & Cs, as stated above.

dunstonh

Would be good to get some legal advice on this if possible before I complain to the company.

Not a good idea because you would have to pay for that and you cannot claim the costs back as part of your complaint.

Believing that if they are offering this car insurance with my booking that it must be relevant I decided to take out the policy.

How did you ascertain that belief? What did the documents you completed say it was?

If you believe it was mis-sold to you then you complain to them giving your reasons.

quichelorraine

The money advice service says this about misselling:

The person who advises you to buy must recommend something suitable for your needs.

Which they clearly didn't do.

quichelorraine

I believed I was being sold insurance that would cover me for the 2day/1night rental period from my home, when in fact hiring it for less than 2 days anyway would make it completely useless because 2 night's accommodation would need to be booked at the same time (meaning a hire period minimum of 3 days/2nights.

FlameCloud

Quentin wrote: »

If you read the ts + cs you knew that you weren't going to be covered so why did you buy it?

You can try your luck with a complaint but don't hold your breath.

It isn't misselling but the fos expects insurers to highlight key terms or exclusions. It's worth a complaint to the insurers and then a referral to the fos if they won't accept it.

Quentin

quichelorraine wrote: »

No, I didn't read all the Ts & Cs, as stated above.

You said you had done in post 3:

quichelorraine wrote: »

1. I have read and understand the excess reimbursement terms and conditions

And yes, it does say somewhere in the middle of all the T&Cs about 2 nights accom, but still.

It's pretty clear:

If you are renting an insured vehicle for use within your home country, you must also have at least 2 nights pre-booked accommodation

Your only avenue (which is without cost to you) is to try a complaint. See the policy doc for theur complaints procedure.

quichelorraine

I said I had read them now. If you read my original post I state 'Now, yes, I know that I should have read through all the Ts & Cs so please no comments about that".