Small collision in a hire van and they want £500 !

[magictorch1976]

Hi All
Not sure if this is the correct forum but it's the closest I could find. Please can you advise ?!
Last week, I hired a large wheel base van to move house. The thing was huge.

I signed all the paperwork and noted the £500 excess on the insurance. Of course, I didn't think I would actually crash it ! (Go on - laugh !)
Well, I didn't actually "crash." I had a small collision with the bumper of a parked car which resulted in no damage to the third party. The van however, being much bigger and I don't know why, suffered some scuffing on the plastic trim and a dent just below of about 75cm. The paintwork wasn't damaged and it's not severe - more "bending of the metal" than "broken metal.
Anyway, I owned up on return and the guy sucked air through his teeth and went "ooooo, you'll have to pay the £500 excess." I refused, citing not having the cash, which I don't anyway.
My view is this. The cost to repair the damage would surely be less than £500 ! What's to say they will take the money from me and not even bother repairing it ? Sounds like a good way to make a quick buck but I would welcome your feedback.
I am happy to pay for the damage but I am not paying £500 to have dent banged out with a hammer and then a quick paint-job. Would I be within my rights to ask for three separate quotes to ensure they are not having me over a barrel ?
Cheers in advance !

[JonCris]

Yes but despite what you say they don't know if the other car owner is going to make a claim also.

I'm afraid, by your own admission, you signed an agreement in which you agreed to the insurance excess of £500. Therefore the owner is well within his rights to ask you for payment.

Also remember whilst £500 a lot to you he will probably still make a loss as not only will he have to have it repaired but he will also lose hire fees whilst it's being done which could be days as it involves paint work

Incidentally I'm surprised they hired the van without 1st taking the deposit from you (usually by credit card) Also was it available & were you offered excess waiver. This would have added more cost in hiring the vehicle but would have relieved you of the liability in paying the excess

[magictorch1976]

Hi

Thanks for that. The other vehicle was empty in a private car park. There was no one around. I visually inspected the vehicle and there definitely was no damage so the chances of a claim from the otherside are virtually non-existant and also, there was no damage to claim for.

Looking at the website, for an extra £5 a day, I could have reduced the excess by 50%. I didn't book through the website though. I did it all over the phone and at no time was this mentioned or pointed out to me at the time of hire.

So in theory now, I can pay £5 and reduce the cost by £250 ? Because if I had paid the £5 in the first place, my liability would have been reduced anyway.

I think £500 is a rip-off for such a small amount of damage. If I had done severe damage then I can understand but this is just money grabbing.

They didn't take a deposit. They have my debit card details but the account is empty so if they try and claim it, it will decline.

[JonCris]

I'm sure your right about the other car but the dealer has only your word for it.

No you can't reduce your liability now by paying retrospectivley. That would be unlawful & if the dealer allowed you to he could void his cover

I don't know why you think £500 is a lot of money. £500 is peanuts when it comes to repairing a motor vehicle & don't forget the dealer will lose hire fees.

I should be careful but I suspect when he discovers there's nothing in your bank account to pay the excess he's going to come after you not only for the full cost of the repair but also any lost hire fees he has incurred whilst he had to sort this out with you + plus there will be the cost of chasing you for payment, letters, telephone etc: - I would try & pay as £500 might seem cheap when it's all over

[magictorch1976]

Hiya

I'm afraid I don't see how hire fees are lost ? The vehicle is not off the road. The dent is the equivilent of a stone chip in the sense of the vehicles drivability.

£500 is a lot of money when it's not budgeted for. Maybe if the call centre had explained my options to me correctly, I would have gone for the Collision Damage Waiver.

I have no guarantee that the vehicle dent will be repaired using my £500. There is no need for the cost to be claimed on insurance - I am not lining their pockets to make a quick buck.

Useful answers, other than "just pay up" would be appreciated please.

Thanks

Jamie

[JonCris]

I'm sorry whilst I tend to be on the side of the consumer your just arguing semantics.

The vehicle will be off the road when it's repaired thereby costing money in lost hire fees.

Why should the owner be expected to have an even slightly damaged vehicle on his fleet. Most hire companies I have used have always repaired damaged vehicles very quickly because even if drivable they ain't a very good advert for the company

Additionally you can charge more for a vehicle that's in overall good condition whereas one that's looks like it's been badly looked after will attract less in hire charges

It may even put people off using your company as none repaired body damage is usually & not surprisingly often linked to poor maintenance

[freakyleaky]

Surely the Hire firm must first of all get a price for repairing the damage before asking for the full £500? The repair bill may only be £200. Add to that a day off road for repair approx £100 I would imagine, giving a total of £300.
What does it say in the T&c's?

[patdavies]

£500 is peanuts for body repairs. A 75 cm dent is about 2 ft long, so hardly a minor job. Even the chip/scuff repairers charge about £75 for repairing minor damage to plastic bumpers. If the dealer/insurer insists, the plastic trim will be replaced with new and not repaired. They are entitled to have the value in the vehicle restored.

I had a minor scuff with another vehicle (luckily his fault). The new plastic bumper is over £300 before it is fitted, primed and painted.

As an aside the car hire for the replacement vehicle was £1950 for the week, so I can't see the other guy's insurers getting much change from £3000.

[JonCris]

No as it's in the contract they can & do ask for the £500

In fact as I have already pointed out unless you opt in for 'collision damage waiver' for an extra fee they usually ask for it at the start of the hire

The hirer could ask for an invoice but I think he'll be wasting his time because as I have already stated £500 is nothing when it comes to vehicle body repair

Whilst I would like to say different I strongly advise the OP to try & settle this debt because if he doesn't he could find himself liable for a lot more than £500

[freakyleaky]

Just out of curiosity what would be the charge if the wiper arm was damaged? Still £500?
And what kind of van costs £1950 per week? ( I am just curious thats all )

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by freakyleaky

And what kind of van costs £1950 per week? ( I am just curious thats all )

You are confusing the OP's post about hiring a van with mine about an insurance claim.

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and the hire car is a VW Touraeg at £305/day

[freakyleaky]

I wasn't confusing the 2. That was meant for you pat.
£350 per day!!!WOW that is a lot of money for for a car. You can buy a decent second hand transit for that.