Courtesy Car for Insurance Claim - Transmition

[muchlovex]

My other half is making a claim on her insurance due to a chipped windscreen and scratches on the bonnet.

Now, the car she drives is an automatic, as she finds it hard to drive with a manual due to a shoulder injury about 5 years ago which causes pain/discomfort when changing gear.

The courtesy car the insurance co' offered is manual, but she was refused an automatic car. She has rang them and explained that her car is an automatic due to her being in pain when changing gear.

Is she well within her rights to have an automatic car as a courtesy car.

[joko]

why would you need a courtesy car for a chip an a few scratches?

maybe they think its a wholly unnecessary situation and are being awkward....


however, is she licenced to drive a manual?

[muchlovex]

They need to take the car away to repair scratches and she needs car for work so they are going to provide courtesy car.

Yes, she is licensed to drive a manual.

[danchip]

it'll be in her insurance documents that she will be entitled to an "A" group car, you can pay a premium to upgrade this at the time you take out the policy which i would imagine you haven't therefore all your wife is entitled to is what the insurance group has provided!

Is it a hire car or a car provided by the company doing the repairs?

[I.Don No]

my hubbie's ins policy makes provision for a like for like car......as he only has a motor cycle licence and drives a reliant the ins company could not provide a courtesy car , so just be glad you can have one.

[muchlovex]

Hi Danchip - The courtesy car is being provided by a hire car company.

[muchlovex]

i.don.no - My wife has fully comprehensive insurance and pays a premium which reflects that. If it was like for like in this situation, then she should be provided with a automatic car.

[danchip]

contact them and see how much it would cost to upgrade to an automatic car, if they've got a few sitting about and a limited amount of cars that they were going to supply you with then they'll probably do it for free

[mccfluff]

what does the insurance doc say about courtesy cars? if it says like for like, then ring and make a fuss - i would do this anyway as the reason they are refusing is more to do with hire co not having an auto easily av and it will be more problematic to source one so easier just to say no.

i

[The-HouseHusband]

Be careful what you say to the insurance company. If the problems with her shoulder were not declared on the insurance form they will be well within their rights to cancel the policy. If it is painful to change gear then surely it is painful to turn the steering wheel and carry out other operations in the vehicle.

Even though the injury was sustained 5 years ago it is still causing discomfort/pain which could also distract from concentration while driving.

Insurance companies are out to make money, not to help the people that pay policies year upon year.

[twix123]

Do you pay an extra premium for a courtesy car? If so it is normally like for like (I've had 2 Mercedes E Class Automatics supplied when I've had insurance repairs). If the car is supplied by the repairer it is normally the cheapest group A Manual, e.g. a VW Polo or similar.

[muchlovex]

Yes, she pays extra for the courtesy car etc. She also has protected no claims option. Her car is a Mercedes C class automati, so they should provide her with an automatic transmition car.

[danchip]

just because she has an automatic does not entitle her to an automatic! You need to check your policy and make sure it says like for like as most policies state that you are entitled to a "A" group car!

[The-HouseHusband]

Just because you pay extra for a courtesy car it will not automatically give you like for like cover. It is just an easy way for the insurance companies to make more money, the same as offering extra add ons for lost keys, personnel accident and the like.

Always check the small print before signing!!

[muchlovex]

Just to let you all know that she got the automatic car.