Car hire excess insurance - multiple claims

fkaprotz1

I have had car hire excess insurance for several years, and have a history of two claims which were both straightforward and both paid by the insurance companies involved.

However, this year I have had several rentals and had to claim twice. The insurer, usually very quick to pay out, has taken 8 weeks on the second claim and I keep getting 'stalling' emails asking me for documents it says I have not sent it (I sent ALL the documents in, and have records of this and confirmation of receipt). This gets me thinking that the insurer may not be willing to honour its policy in the case of multiple claims.

Hence my question: I have at least 2 more rentals coming up before the end of the policy. One is more than 2 weeks in length. Should I take out a daily policy to cover these? I ask this because I get the impression that my current insurer will not pay up if I claim again. This may be the wrong impression but....

On the other hand, would it be illegal to have 2 policies concurrently? Because on most claim forms it asks if there is another insurance in force.

Thanks for any replies!

zagfles

It's not illegal to have two policies for the same thing but it's usually daft and can cause problems - you can't (obviously) claim the full amount for the same incident from two policies, that would be fraud, so either the insurers would share the claim, or they'd get into a p**sing contest as to who should pay. Some say (eg) if you're more specifically insured by someone else they won't pay. Might be an idea to cancel the original policy?

fkaprotz1

Well having looked through the documentation I will actually stay on my current policy, with the rationale being that:

1.) the policy documentation does not mention a max number of claims, therefore if there is another claim - which I hope there won't be - then legally they should pay up;
2.) I am more than ready to take it all the way if they don't honour their legal commitments to pay. A contract is a contract is a contract.

It was a good idea - one of the replies above - to cancel and take out another policy. But why should I lose out when legally I have done nothing wrong??

lewroll

Seem to think that somewhere in the back of my mind, I was told it was illegal to have car insurance with more than one company on the same car. Would the same apply to car hire excess policies I wonder?

Gloomendoom

Car hire excess insurance isn't motor insurance.

lewroll

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Car hire excess insurance isn't motor insurance.

And..................???????

Think that is obvious don't you?

FlameCloud

lewroll wrote: »

Seem to think that somewhere in the back of my mind, I was told it was illegal to have car insurance with more than one company on the same car. Would the same apply to car hire excess policies I wonder?

It not unlawful on motor policies either.

adamvore

It is not legal. You will not get the full claim from both the company.

fkaprotz1

I thought I'd post back here with an update on 'what happened'.

Basically, I did not take out a second policy and still went ahead with my car rental.

I also pressed the insurance company with whom I have a policy - I asked them about the second claim that they had not paid out for months. As soon as I enquired, I had an agent on the phone immediately apologising and saying that they'd had an avalanche of claims over the summer, but that she'd deal with my claim immediately. She was very helpful and I had my full claim paid within 2 months.

Still, I will probably switch companies when my policy renewal is due, in case....