MOT expired - stuck in limbo due to windscreen claim

deejbk02

Hi

Our mot expired on 29th March a day before the grace period that was passed by the government. About a month prior to our MOT expiry, a crack appeared in our windscreen on the driver's side, we contacted our insurer and paid the windscreen excess to get it repaired. They booked us in at a garage a week before our MOT expiring, and we booked an MOT at another garage, 5 days before expiry. Unfortunately the garage which were due to do the repair cancelled the repair, due to the outbreak. I have been phoning them weekly, but they have not reopened any garages, and I cannot get through to my insurer as they are "prioritising new claims." I have already claimed on the insurance to have the work done and paid the excess for it.

I have emailed the DVSA to explain the situation, but they have said that as the MOT expired before 30th March, it does not qualify for the grace period. My wife and I are both key workers and require use of the car for commuting. But I am unable to get the car MOT'd until the windscreen is replaced.

Can anyone advise what to do?

Regards

huckster

Yes you are a bit stuck.  If you cannot work from home, cannot use public transport, then see if you can hire a car and speak to your employers, as if you are a key worker, due to exceptional circumstances, they may pay for it. 
Can you borrow a car from family or friends ?  If they cannot use it due to lockdown, they may want it to be used and can add you to their Insurance as named drivers, if you pay the premium increase amount.

Unknown

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bradders1983

There are plenty of garages still open. And the place down the road from me that just does MOT tests is still open as well.  Do some ringing around.

deejbk02

Just to be clear the problem isn't getting a garage to MOT, its the fact that the car cannot pass the MOT until the windscreen is replaced, which is what my insurer are supposed to be sorting out for us. Once the windscreen has been replaced, we should have no problem getting the MOT completed. But the insurer has put the case on hold in the current circumstance and its proving very difficult to speak to someone about this.

We've already made a claim for the windscreen and paid the excess for a replacement windscreen. Do I just need to start getting tougher with the insurer? Or perhaps the underwriter? How can I get tougher with them?

deejbk02

I've emailed my MP about this too, as I think the best think would be if the government pushed the grace period threshold forward by a week

bradders1983

You may have to bite the bullet and pay out for it yourself and hope you can claim it back further down the line. People have had to do this recently with trying to get flights home, I dont see any other option for you.

[Deleted User]

If you need your car, you will just have to do it!   Argue the toss with insurers afterwards?   You shouldn't have to but extreme circumstances and all that.

A_Lert

deejbk02 said:

the windscreen is replaced, which is what my insurer are supposed to be sorting out for us.

Your insurer has had well over a month to do this and has failed to do so. Garages are open. I say get it fixed yourself and demand the insurer reimburse the money. If they refuse, I expect the ombudsman would find in your favour.

spiro

Contact your insurance and get them to use a mobile windscreen service. Most insurance companies use them and as you don't need to be near the fitter social distancing is not a problem.

bradders1983

spiro said:

Contact your insurance and get them to use a mobile windscreen service. Most insurance companies use them and as you don't need to be near the fitter social distancing is not a problem.

He has tried to contact them, its in the OP.

He is going to have to bite the bullet and pay for it himself (and try and get it back later) if he wants a speedy resolution to this.