Hire/courtesy car

BriNylon

My car was broken into a few weeks ago and it taking simply ages to get the glass to replace it.  Autoglass are on the case.
The insurance company have said the car is my responsibility if they don’t take it away for storage.  The window is currently covered by plastic so I have told them to take it away as I have no secure storage.
The insurance company are saying it might now be a few days before they can sort out a hire car.  
My question is - can I sort a car out myself and claim it back.  Otherwise can I claim for taxis or alternative travel arrangements?  I have no other car.

MalMonroe

Hi, if it were me, I'd be chasing Autoglass every single day, at least twice a day. That delay is totally unacceptable, especially if they are not going to take the car away and store it safely.

The place I lived before I moved to a civilised location was full of youths who thought it was great fun to go out smashing car windows in the middle of the night and my car was once a victim. Unfortunately, no-one was ever caught. However, I managed to get the damage repaired quickly, certainly within days rather than weeks.

If Autoglass are really dragging their heels then you could contact the insurance company and tell them you wish to use a different glass replacement company. 

Don't just accept complacency because it could end up costing you more in time, trouble and of course, money if your car is either stolen or stripped of parts. The onus is on you now.

As for a hire car - what does your insurance policy say? Are you insured for the cost of hiring a car or for using taxis or public transport? If your insurance covers those things then you could speak to someone at the insurance company to let them know that you are sorting that yourself. But I would always check with the insurance company first, just in case.

I once used a courtesy car at a dealership whilst my own car was having a service and MOT. I was a nervous wreck when I carefully read the contract I'd signed - if there was any damage whatsoever to the car then I'd have to pay £250! For a courtesy car. I won't be doing that again. I did manage to get that courtesy car back in one piece but only because I only travelled about five miles in it! 

I hope that's helpful. In summary - nag, complain, advise. And always keep in touch with the insurance company, it's the best thing.     

[Deleted User]

BriNylon said:

My car was broken into a few weeks ago and it taking simply ages to get the glass to replace it.  Autoglass are on the case.
The insurance company have said the car is my responsibility if they don’t take it away for storage.  The window is currently covered by plastic so I have told them to take it away as I have no secure storage.
The insurance company are saying it might now be a few days before they can sort out a hire car.  
My question is - can I sort a car out myself and claim it back.  Otherwise can I claim for taxis or alternative travel arrangements?  I have no other car.

Why but just phone to the insurance company and ask?

I'm guessing that the answer is it takes forever to get through to them so you are hoping someone here knows.

DullGreyGuy

BriNylon said:

The insurance company are saying it might now be a few days before they can sort out a hire car.  
My question is - can I sort a car out myself and claim it back.  Otherwise can I claim for taxis or alternative travel arrangements?  I have no other car.

Are you putting this through as a Glass or Theft claim? If its the former then any courtesy car entitlement is normally nil but it doesn't impact your NCD or premiums (in most cases).

What you can claim will depend on which grounds they are proposing to provide it. Generally under the T&Cs they explicitly will provide a hire car which doesn't mean you have a general right to one. If however its a complaint due to the slowness of repairs etc then it all comes down to negotiation.