What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Will I be liable for the costs of my upgraded hire car following an accident?
Someone drove into the back of my 2010 Hyundai i20 - not my fault. Hyundai Accident Aftercare (HAAC) has arranged a hire car through Gemini Vehicle Solutions, a 2012/62 Ford Focus 6-speed diesel from Enterprise. Enterprise said this was a free upgrade. The rental agreement from Enterprise is for £17.99per day. The vehicle hire agreement from Gemini (which I have not yet signed), is for £58.76 per day excluding VAT. Should I tell HAAC about the free upgrade to a far better/faster/newer/larger car? And will I be liable for the rental charge, as it is a larger car than mine? Or should I tell Gemini? Or both - even though they are based at the same address. Should I get a letter from them saying this is a 'like for like' rental?
Asked on 16 March 2013 by JR, via email
Answered by
Honest John
Your problem is the clear difference between the Enterprise rate and the credit hire operator's rate, and the third party insurer could refuse to pay the difference leaving you to pay it. You should cancel the credit hire car and hire the car yourself from Enterprise this 'mitigating your expense', as you are required to do. Insurers are not in any way obliged to supply substantial profits to credit hire operators.
Similar questions
I was interested to read your letter headed ‘Decline and Fall’ in the DT dated Saturday 13 August. I had an almost identical situation arise as MM of Hawick which involved the same insurance company. Last...
I had legal assistance cover on my insurance policy. After an accident my impression of their service is that they seem to be fixed on getting me into a hire car. I was wondering whether I would be better...
I was involved in a no fault accident. I took my claim to an accident management company, they gave me a hire vehicle and all was well. My car was written off as Cat N and I was offered a settlement from...