Car Hire Insurance for windscreen

[alan30]

Recently had to hire a van to move some furniture and narrowed the hire down to a couple of companies. Both offered CDW but when I went to collect the van this excluded damage to tyres, windscreen and wing mirrors - the most likely things to get damaged. As there was no time to arrange another hire I was stuck so had to take the risk. When the van was brought round and checked for damage I noted two chips on the windscreen. I pointed out that as the windscreen was already damaged I was not responsible for further damage and was told this only applied to further damage arising from the existing chips. If a third chip occurred while in my hire I was responsible for the cost of a replacement windscreen. Assuming they had charged the previous hirers for replacement costs they would be doing very well financially with this approach. I understand that insurances do not always cover these items but surely a company cannot expect to make multiple incomes on damaged items?

[Hymie]

If you have already paid, insist on seeing a copy of the windscreen replacement costs/invoice and/or insurance claim. If they refuse, kick up a fuss – inform their insurers and the police of the hire company’s fraudulent activities.

You never know, once they realize that you’ve rumbled them, they might refund you to keep you quiet.