Stand alone excess is not always the best idea

CJScat

Hello, I always purchase stand alone excess when renting a car abroad. Unfortunately, on this occasion in Gran Canaria , this was a more expensive choice than paying the Topcar high rental company excess. I thought the stand alone would cover all issues i may have as, it now turns out the car companies own insurnace would. When I.picked the car up.at the airport the battery light was illuminated, I fetched the key collection man and showed him, asking if i needed to worry. He said all was fine and to.take.the car as it was. I parked on an unlit street, and after checking the lights were off, nothing was on show inside the car i locked it securely. The next day the battery was flat. As a lone woman, I had to wait 2 hours for Topcars engineer to co.e and jump start the car. Later that day I received a message to say the engineer call out fee is now taken from my credit card. I have complained numerous times but they insist that I signed to say I didnt want their excess cover, which includes engineer call outs! My stand alone insurnace says they cover accidents and towing ,not things like smaller mechanical issues.

Also Topcar dont supply the driver with a paper ,hard copy of the car body work map showing the body work,or Interior damage. Ive rented many cars each year and never known this. They,.instead send an email with it on after you have driven off. Thankfully I always photograph the car in close detail, all over bedore leaving and post these to messenger to date stamp. This car has many chips and scuffs in its body work, i cant see any if these recorded on the emailed car body map! I suspect ,this is another way they try to make money out of the customer.

eskbanker

As ever when buying any insurance, it's important to understand specifically what it does (and doesn't) cover…

flaneurs_lobster

I'd say that whichever excess cover you have (or none) is irrelevant, you have pointed out a warning that the battery is not charging and they have told you to continue regardless. You should not be liable for any charges due to a flat battery.

But good luck arguing this with a holiday rental company based in Islas Canarias who have already charged your card.

zagfles

This is nothing to do with insurance. They hired you a faulty car and are trying to bill you for something that clearly wasn't your fault. I presume your pictures included the battery light so you have evidence. Ask your CC for a chargeback.