Disappointment with insurance comapny

panika

Last night a couple of car (including mine) in our car park by drunk youngsters. I was informed about it by Police this morning and discovered smashed wing mirror, nearly 20 inch dent in in car under back passenger window and pulled out back windscreen wiper.

After signing police report and receiving crime number I contacted insurance to be told, that they don't cover that (I have fully comp) and I will have to pay £450 cost (excess plus something else). I know I have £250 voluntary excess.

Went through policy booklet and it clearly states, that:

"...We will pay for damage to the car caused by accidental or malicious damage, or vandalism."
"What is not covered: loss or damage to the car caused by malicious damage or vandalism when no one is in it unless all its windows, doors, roof openings and hoods are closed and locked and all keys or devices are kept securely away from the car or the person authorised to use the car"

So, however I look at it they should cover. Why did they tell me that they wouldn't?

I think I will go for TPFT next year.

motorguy

panika wrote: »

Last night a couple of car (including mine) in our car park by drunk youngsters. I was informed about it by Police this morning and discovered smashed wing mirror, nearly 20 inch dent in in car under back passenger window and pulled out back windscreen wiper.

After signing police report and receiving crime number I contacted insurance to be told, that they don't cover that (I have fully comp) and I will have to pay £450 cost (excess plus something else). I know I have £250 voluntary excess.

Went through policy booklet and it clearly states, that:

"...We will pay for damage to the car caused by accidental or malicious damage, or vandalism."
"What is not covered: loss or damage to the car caused by malicious damage or vandalism when no one is in it unless all its windows, doors, roof openings and hoods are closed and locked and all keys or devices are kept securely away from the car or the person authorised to use the car"

So, however I look at it they should cover. Why did they tell me that they wouldn't?

I think I will go for TPFT next year.

It sounds like you have £200 excess on your policy, and £250 voluntary excess.

So you're going to have to pay the first £450 of any claim no matter what it is.

Hence them asking you to pay £450.

panika

is any way getting away from it?

Repairing things myself I haven't been told any other options.

Ca I drive without passenger side mirror? is ist road offence

macman

Yes, you are not obliged to repair it through your insurer. You can simply report it 'for information only' and have the work done at your expense, wherever you wish.
I don't understand your 'disappointment'. You chose a £250 voluntary excess (on top of the £200 compulsory excess) in order to keep your premium down, so you must have known that you would pay the first £450 of any claim.
No, you can't drive without a nearside mirror! It's an offence, and also an MOT failure point.

System

macman wrote: »

No, you can't drive without a nearside mirror! It's an offence, and also an MOT failure point.

Incorrect you need either a nearside mirror or an internal mirror

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/part/II/chapter/E/crossheading/mirrors/made

i) At least one mirror fitted externally on the offside of the vehicle; and

(ii) at least one mirror fitted internally, unless a mirror so fitted would give the driver no view to the rear of the vehicle; and

(iii) at least one mirror fitted externally on the nearside of the vehicle unless a mirror which gives the driver an adequate view to the rear is fitted internally

ETA ref & details

andy111

panika wrote: »

is any way getting away from it?

Repairing things myself I haven't been told any other options.

Ca I drive without passenger side mirror? is ist road offence

Perfectly legal.


The requirement is offside mirror, and min. of one other from interior mirror and nearside mirror.

harveybobbles

panika wrote: »

Went through policy booklet and it clearly states, that:

"...We will pay for damage to the car caused by accidental or malicious damage, or vandalism."

"What is not covered: loss or damage to the car caused by malicious damage or vandalism when no one is in it unless all its windows, doors, roof openings and hoods are closed and locked and all keys or devices are kept securely away from the car or the person authorised to use the car"

So, however I look at it they should cover. Why did they tell me that they wouldn't?

I think I will go for TPFT next year.

To me that says that they wont cover damage unless someone is in the car..?

[Deleted User]

panika wrote: »

Can I drive without passenger side mirror?

What type of car (saloon, hatchback, estate etc.), and what age is it?

F1F93

harveybobbles wrote: »

To me that says that they wont cover damage unless someone is in the car..?

... unless you have locked it, with the windows up etc.

Basically, if you left it unlocked, or gave the robber the keys, or left the window open etc, they will refuse to pay out (understandably!)

But if you are in the car, then even if you have the car unlocked you are covered.

flashg67

harveybobbles wrote: »

To me that says that they wont cover damage unless someone is in the car..?

Yes, unless it's locked etc etc...

arcon5

Sounds like they ARE willing to pay if they want the excess.

get a mirror from breakers yard, easy peasy to fit. Don't bother with rest if it doesn't bother you