How long is "too long" for insurers to repair?

MamaMoo_2

My husband was in a non-fault accident on 12/02. He was provided with a hire van on 14/02 through his claims handlers, and the repairs were arranged by the third party insurers, and his damaged van was collected on 18/02.
Although he does have a hire van of a similar spec, it doesn't have things such as a roof rack (and he was told he couldn't affix his own), which is an inconvenience as it means he can't do certain jobs which, with him being self employed, is an issue. He did request one with a roof rack but one couldn't be sourced.
We also had planned to go away for a few days, but he can't do this with the hire van.
The council also will not let him use the hire van to access the too as the permit is for his van, and so I have a garden full of rubbish.
I'm paying £200 a month to insure a van that's sitting in a garage somewhere too, and that's annoying the hell out of me.

The repairers have now had the van for four weeks and cannot give an eta for repairs as the company they ordered the new door from can't give them an eta for delivery of the doors.

This is getting beyond a joke now, and my husband wants his own van back as there's so much he can't do with the one he has now.

So what I'm asking is, how long is too long for a repair to take? And what options are available.

InsideInsurance

You are paying insurance but you have a vehicle to use so they cancel each other out.

Are the third party insurers aware that he is in credit hire?

Ultimately if parts arent available there is little that an insurer can do. Have you checked yourself about the availability of the part?

MamaMoo_2

Yes, the third party insurers are aware of the credit hire and have all the information etc.

I haven't a clue how easy the parts are to get brand new, but second hand they're pretty easy to get hold of. I was told the repairer hasn't explored any avenues other than their usual supplier.

InsideInsurance

Secondhand wouldnt be the normal route for an insurance repair job

If you are really wanting to get things sorted quickly I'd be more proactive checking with the local dealership about supply issues, if you're happy with 2nd hand then speak to both garage and TPI about this etc

MamaMoo_2

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Secondhand wouldnt be the normal route for an insurance repair job

If you are really wanting to get things sorted quickly I'd be more proactive checking with the local dealership about supply issues, if you're happy with 2nd hand then speak to both garage and TPI about this etc

I have done and they just said that it could take longer so they weren't prepared to even try. The place they ordered the parts from won't discuss anything with me either.

rudekid48

Have you discussed this with your claims handler? If you can evidence loss of earnings due to not having suitable transport (i.e. the roofrack) then you may be able to claim against the TPI for this - it may also encourage them to speed the repairer along.... just a thought

sussexbhoy

rudekid48 wrote: »

Have you discussed this with your claims handler? If you can evidence loss of earnings due to not having suitable transport (i.e. the roofrack) then you may be able to claim against the TPI for this - it may also encourage them to speed the repairer along.... just a thought

How can you "speed the repair along" if the door/doors are on back order?

vaio

second hand doors to get the OP back on the road and then go back when the new doors arrive?

Obviously will be extra costs but to balance those it means less credit hire and less LOE

Having said that, I'm surprised the credit hire firm can't organise a van with a roof rack, sounds like they aren't trying too hard

[Deleted User]

You should speak to the claims handler and tell them you either need compensation for lost earnings (including any future lost work because customers switched to another person) or a suitable van. They should be able to provide a van with roof rack, but I don't know what they can do about the council.

I had a similar issue once. They hire car they offered was not suitable for me (too small) so they had to provide a bigger one. Similarly a friend was offered a saloon car to replace his estate while it was being repaired but rejected it as his bike wouldn't fit.