Brittany ferries, car damaged during crossing

[Boro]

Hi all, we recently went to france for the weekend, upon arrival after an interesting (choppy/rough) crossing we noticed that our car had been freshly damaged, upon arriving back in the uk i checked their terms and conditions on the website (nothing in the way of a damage waiver that i could see) and then we contacted them by phone to be told to put it in writing so we have done only to be told that we should of reported it to the ferry staff at the time and that they suggest that we claim off our own insurance, where do we stand here as we where obviously not aware of their policy re damage before traveling and can find no mention of this policy on there website, i find it impossible to believe that the damage was there before travel being where it is (ns roof) and the fact that the fresh metal hadnt started to rust, any help greatly appreciated thanks guys!

[Loubychew]

Hi Boro,

I found this on the Brittany Ferries website. Click the link and scroll down to CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE:

Brittany Ferries - Holiday Terms and Conditions - Helpful Information

[Boro]

The question now is does that stand, ie just because someone says one thing doesnt make it legally so where there are rules and regs that protect you as a consumer

[Chesterexpress]

If you noticed the damage when you returned to the vehicle on the car deck, why did you not report it there and then? As it stands, it is now almost impossible for you to prove it happened whilst on board. They could quite rightly argue that it happened parked in your garage at home etc.

[Boro]

We didnt see it whilst onboard, you wouldnt of in the poor light

[Chesterexpress]

In that case your chances of a successful claim against Brittany Ferries are extremely slim, as there is no way that you can prove it happened whilst on board.

[Boro]

We noticed the damage when we parked up in the car park after coming off the ferry, thus definitely happened on the ferry going by the time rust takes, the damage is a series of dents to the roof where something has fallen onto the car, i would be surprised if they havent had a number of claims from others as it was a particularly rough crossing

[Bookworm]

Be that as it may, you won't be able to prove when it happened. You may be 100% certain that this is when it happened, but you can not prove it, and since it wasn't reported at the time (whether you would have known to or not is immaterial), all B/F would have to do is say "it could have happened any time".