Help, guaranteed hire car? Four seater??

Antoncart

My first post so excuse me if I don't do this totally correct. I've searched the forums and couldn't find an answer.

Basically, I had a car accident, claimed with my insurers kwik fit insurance. I paid premium for guaranteed hire car.
Car goes in for repairs, Vauxhall Zafira seven seats. The guaranteed hire car was fiat 500 four seats. I have a family of myself, wife and three kids so the car isn't suitable. Can they do this, at the end of the day the car isn't fit for purpose. I didn't expect a seven seater but did expect a so called 'normal' car with five seats? Any help on this greatly appreciated. It appears kwik fit won't do anything.

Quentin

The cover ts and cs should say the type of car you will be given.

Read up on the cover in your policy docs and take it from there

nickcc

My insurer states hire car will be smallest available but offers you the choice of paying extra to upgrade when hiring.

magpiecottage

There does seem to be an argument that if you have a larger car that might be becausec you need one.

If it is significantly smaller then they should have drawn this to your attention at the point of sale. So you do seem to have grounds for complaint.

superbigal36

To be honest you can also smile nicely at the car hire company.
Very often they wont even have the car you are meant to get.
They may well be able to "upgrade" without any impact on the "bill".

paddyandstumpy

Guaranteed hire car means you get one in the event of a total loss (or theft) which otherwise you wouldn't normally get.

When I had an accident in my 3 series, I was offered a Corsa as a replacement. When I asked for them to remove the front seat so I could operate it from the back seat (i'm over 6 foot tall), and yes, I this said to them with sarcasm... they supplied me with a people carrier.

Ultimately it depends on what the garage has available, and as previously suggested; just ask nicely!