damaged rental car

oneremover

Hello,

I rented a car from Arnold Clark, and paid the full insurance with excess waiver. Unfortunately, today, while trying to park, I steered to the space in a bit to steep, and the car got damaged by the wall pretty badly. My question is what is the best way to proceed? Would their insurance cover this type of damage?

thanks,

bigjl

What do you think?

What would you do if somebody borrowed your car and a wall jumped out in front of them?

Crabman

Please read the terms of your agreement and let us know if you have any specific questions.

oneremover

I think that the insurance should cover it, hence the extra cost I paid.

oneremover

@crabman, thanks for the reply. I'm specifically worried about this clause, that is not covered by their insurance:

Damage to the vehicle caused by hitting low-level objects such as bridges or low branches, or damage caused by failure to pay due care and attention to potential hazards on the road such as deep water or debris.

soolin

oneremover wrote: »

@crabman, thanks for the reply. I'm specifically worried about this clause, that is not covered by their insurance:

The clause you quote, is that under 'included' or 'excluded' from your insurance. The answer to that will answer your initial question I suspect.

oneremover

The clause you quote, is that under 'included' or 'excluded' from your insurance.

It is excluded. @soolin, why do you think that would make this scenario not covered?

iammumtoone

bigjl wrote: »

What do you think?

What would you do if somebody borrowed your car and a wall jumped out in front of them?

They didn't borrow someones car, they PAID for the use of one, including insurance.

OP when I had a hire car (different company) they took me round the car and I had to agree all the little scratches etc before I took it. I remember saying "but why is this relevant as if I damage it, I don't have to pay as I am covered by insurance" he did agree with that but said we still needed to complete the paperwork. Point is he didn't say that any damage of my own fault wouldn't be covered. It did go back with a slight mark on it, someone parked too closed to me at a car park and opened their door into the hire car :mad: I wasn't charged for this.

Nobbie1967

'Hitting a low level object' seems to cover just about all accidents. A car is a low level object. If they class a branch as a low level object then the clause could cover anything the car is capable of hitting.

They may argue, but I suspect that clause is unenforceable as it is too broadly drafted and could be used to exclude all claims. You may need to involve the insurance ombudsman if they refuse to cover the damage.

AdrianC

oneremover wrote: »

@crabman, thanks for the reply. I'm specifically worried about this clause, that is not covered by their insurance:

Damage to the vehicle caused by hitting low-level objects such as bridges or low branches, or damage caused by failure to pay due care and attention to potential hazards on the road such as deep water or debris.

That clause is intended to exclude people taking risks through flooding or assuming they'll be fine to drive over debris in the carriageway.

Hitting a rather obvious and very stationary wall is certainly failure to pay due care and attention, but I don't think it comes under the intent of that clause.

happyc84

when does the car go back to arnold clark, can you get it fixed before handing it back.
I hire a lot of cars in the last year, 20+ times, have taken out a 3rd party insurance cover for the hire cars. costs about £40 per year; cheaper than paying the per hire extra insurance costs.