Birmingham airport parking - damage to vehicle

ps2mint

Hi all,
Just got back from a lovely holiday - however, when I collected my car from the official Birmingham Airport parking service, I noticed that some paintwork has been damaged on the driver's side door. I alerted the attendant who took photos and filled in a form and now I have to write an official letter or email explaining how they have broken the terms and conditions. Worryingly, I have read the terms and they claim that they are not responsible for damage? I'm just wondering if anyone else on here has had any similar issues with airport parking regarding damage?

Advice would be much appreciated!

Many thanks

BorisThomson

Were they negligent in some way, did they cause the damage? If it was caused by another car then it is beyond their control. You should inform your insurance.

ps2mint

I have no way of knowing who caused the damage. I guess someone may have opened the door and it hit another vehicle but I have no way of proving this which I think is going to be a bit of an issue.

headpin

They owe you a duty of care when your car is in their charge. Their T&C's cannot just absolve them from this duty. I believe that it would be down to the Parking Company to demonstrate that they acted reasonably and diligently in parking and caring for your vehicle whilst under their control. How can you tell how they parked it and how it was cared for whilst abroad? They are expected to discharge their duty so that nothing happens to your car. That's what you paid them to do.

They will try and wriggle but persist and go to small claims if necessary.

bigadaj

headpin wrote: »

They owe you a duty of care when your car is in their charge. Their T&C's cannot just absolve them from this duty. I believe that it would be down to the Parking Company to demonstrate that they acted reasonably and diligently in parking and caring for your vehicle whilst under their control. How can you tell how they parked it and how it was cared for whilst abroad? They are expected to discharge their duty so that nothing happens to your car. That's what you paid them to do.

They will try and wriggle but persist and go to small claims if necessary.

You're making a massive assumption that the car was parked by the parking company, it may well have been the case that the car was parked by the OP, and the damage then occurred when another driver parked next to them and banged the door.

That's critical in this, if parked by the OP then little come back, if parked by provider then they have the burden of proof.

robinwales

How far are you from the airport? Have you considered a taxi in future? Airport parking can be expensive.

ps2mint

Thanks for the replies. The car was parked by myself in a pre book zone and then moved to another car parking space by the provider. I've now submitted my claim with supporting evidence so will have to see what they come back with!

PeacefulWaters

robinwales wrote: »

How far are you from the airport? Have you considered a taxi in future? Airport parking can be expensive.

Depends how close to the airport you live.