Skoda 'auto protect' alloy wheel insurance mis sold

sabz3008

Hello, I'd be grateful to anybody for some advice!

I bought my Skoda Octavia VRS in October 2015 from SG Smith Skoda.

Knowing that big low profile wheels are quite easy to damage, the one decision between this car and a Mercedes C-Class was "if anything happens to your wheels, for £500, you're covered with Smart repair cover and alloy wheel cover".

5 months later, I managed to kerb both nearside wheels at the same time.

Made a claim, technician comes out...and I've been told I have Diamond Cut wheels, which shows on the policy that it won't be covered and that it needs to be 're-cut' at a cost of £95 per wheel.

I was never told these were diamond cut - didn't even know what that was until today... Doesn't say anywhere on the paperwork / car spec sheet or the Skoda website.

Yes, they're most likely going to say "You can have your premiums back", but that's not the point now - My wheels are damaged and I now have a car that isn't protected the way I wanted it to be.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Did anyone actually sell you this insurance or did you just assume that your style of wheels were covered?

Nearlyold

It'll have been sold by a salesman at the car dealer (I'd guess the salesman didn't realise the wheels were diamond cut either).Sounds like two policies, Smart for scratches and dings to the bodywork and the tyre and alloy wheel cover.

If you complain about the sale you should get your premium back for the wheel policy, you could put the returned premium towards paying for the wheel repair or ask the garage to repair them as a goodwill gesture in addition to the premium refund - though I don't think this is an entitlement.

NB These policies are available from Mercedes dealers as well

dunstonh

Is the £95 a rate on top of the insurance or would the cost be greater than £95 if you didnt have the insurance? i,e. Is it like an excess or the full cost?

Yes, they're most likely going to say "You can have your premiums back", but that's not the point now - My wheels are damaged and I now have a car that isn't protected the way I wanted it to be.

£95 is not bad for wheel repair. However, if the insurance never covered it then refund of premiums plus interest is the requirement. They do not have to pay the £95 each. You may get a goodwill gesture and should push for one. It probably wont cover the full cost but if you get one paid for, that wouldnt be a bad result.

sabz3008

Thanks for the advice guys,

It's £95 per wheel, so £190 overall...

Have contacted Skoda now to complain.

And yes, the salesman sold me the insurance explaining that with a £10 excess, they'll constantly come out and fix the wheel. It was £100 and the dents, dings, SMART cover was £400

sabz3008

(the Mercedes dealer told me that their diamond cut wheels won't be covered by the policy they sold)

Nearlyold

sabz3008 wrote: »

(the Mercedes dealer told me that their diamond cut wheels won't be covered by the policy they sold)

Next time find a dealer that sells Premia Solutions Tyre and Alloy Cover - it's does cover Diamond Cut Wheels though they may have to be sent away.

magpiecottage

Actually, this would depend on whether the dealer was deemed to be acting as a representative of the insurer. If he was, and the OP could prove he said that the wheels would be covered, it is likely that FOS would say this amounted to a collateral contract - and force the insurer to honour it.