Van hire insurance excess refund

marks87

I'll try and keep this brief and to the point...

At the start of last month, I hired a van for a couple of hours from Hertz 24/7. Unfortunately I had a very minor prang while negotiating a turn in a recycling centre; nothing major - it caused a small amount of body damage to a third party car, but nothing on the van (the side bumper - if that's what it's called - did its job of protecting the bodywork).

The terms of hire mean that I'm liable for an excess of up to £850 for damage to the van only (i.e. no 3rd party excess), and this £850 was taken from my card when I notified them of the collision, refundable once their investigation into the cost of repairs is complete. They requested I send photographs with the accident report form so as to expedite the investigation.

My expectation is the cost will be £0 because no repairs are required. However, regardless, having notified of the accident on 6th September, I'm still waiting for a response. I'm now conscious of the fact that the charge appeared on my October statement, which will need paid in 10 days. Even if I can cover the cost now, there's the hassle of my card going into a positive balance when the refund is made.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had experience of vehicle hire companies taking the full insurance excess then needing to wait for a refund? And if so, how long did it take? I've tried asking them but was told "we'll need to look into it, and we'll get back to you in 10 days".

Obviously the accident was my fault and I should accept the consequences of that, but it would be good to get an idea of how much longer I'll need to wait.

SHAFT

So was there any damage or Mark's to the rub strip?

If so you can expect to pay for its replacement plus the loss of hire revenue when it's off the road.

marks87

SHAFT wrote: »

So was there any damage or Mark's to the rub strip?

If so you can expect to pay for its replacement plus the loss of hire revenue when it's off the road.

None whatsoever.

I wouldn't expect to pay for the loss of hire revenue. The T&Cs are quite clear that the excess is for the cost of repairs only with no mention of loss of hire revenue.

Lomast

Loss of hire is a cost of repair. It will have to go into the shop to be checked for damage even if there is no obvious damage and if it's in the shop it's not available for hire

marks87

Lomast wrote: »

Loss of hire is a cost of repair.

In law? Because I'll certainly be minded to challenge that if they try to claim it.

This is the exact term:

If you have followed all the rules of Hertz 24/7 membership, you will only have to pay up to the excess if there is damage, loss or theft of the vehicle. If the damage is lower than the amount of the excess, you will have to pay the amount of repair and an administration fee. If we cannot assess the cost of the repairs at the time of damage notification we will bill you for the full excess amount and refund the difference after the repairs have been completed.

No mention of needing to pay for the costs of assessing repairs, and the amount payable is clearly "the amount of repair", plus an admin fee - which, admittedly, could be what covers the loss of rental.

Nevertheless, my interpretation of the wording is that I only need to pay anything if there is there is damage.

SHAFT

So you caused bodywork damage to another vehicle and there wasn't even paint transfer. In that case you'll get a full refund probably minus a day's hire while they check it.

SHAFT

Oh and for the record, included in hertz terms and conditions they state.

IMPORTANT
Your liability to us may include (amongst others):
– Cost of repairs - loss of rental income.
– Towing and storage charges.
– Loss in value of the vehicle.
– An administration charge to recover our costs for dealing with these issues and any related claim.

marks87

SHAFT wrote: »

So you caused bodywork damage to another vehicle and there wasn't even paint transfer. In that case you'll get a full refund

Correct. No sign of any paint or damage on the van whatsoever. The person whose car I hit and the workers at the recycling centre even commented on it at the time.

probably minus a day's hire while they check it.

No, that won't be acceptable because I've not agreed to that.

SHAFT wrote: »

Oh and for the record, included in hertz terms and conditions they state.

IMPORTANT
Your liability to us may include (amongst others):
– Cost of repairs - loss of rental income.
– Towing and storage charges.
– Loss in value of the vehicle.
– An administration charge to recover our costs for dealing with these issues and any related claim.

This was Hertz 24/7 whose terms say nothing about "loss of rental income", or any other charges. Simply the "amount of repair".

https://www.hertz247.co.uk/uk/en-gb/legal/termsandconditions

SHAFT

marks87 wrote: »

Correct. No sign of any paint or damage on the van whatsoever. The person whose car I hit and the workers at the recycling centre even commented on it at the time.



No, that won't be acceptable because I've not agreed to that.




This was Hertz 24/7 whose terms say nothing about "loss of rental income", or any other charges. Simply the "amount of repair".

https://www.hertz247.co.uk/uk/en-gb/legal/termsandconditions

That's what's on their full terms but then that's not what you want to hear.

So you'll get a full refund.

marks87

SHAFT wrote: »

That's what's on their full terms

I didn't agree to any terms with Hertz. I agreed to terms with Hertz 24/7, which makes no mention of any terms other than those that I agreed to.

but then that's not what you want to hear.

Well, if you'd actually read my opening post, you'd see that I wasn't interested in what I might get back; only when I might get it back.

SHAFT

marks87 wrote: »

I didn't agree to any terms with Hertz. I agreed to terms with Hertz 24/7, which makes no mention of any terms other than those that I agreed to.



Well, if you'd actually read my opening post, you'd see that I wasn't interested in what I might get back; only when I might get it back.

When it's been withdrawn from hire and assessed for damage. Why dot ask them if that's been done?