What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Should my insurer give me a courtesy car equivalent to my vehicle?

I had a low impact bump causing damage to rear bumper and small dent to body work above bumper. I claimed on my insurance and my Toyota RAV4 was allocated a date for estimate to be carried out at appointed bodyshop. I asked the bodyshop when I needed to bring the car in for inspection, as the car was perfectly roadworthy but would require a change of bumper. I was informed that they had to follow insurance procedure and collect the car. They collected it on 5 June and I was supplied with a Suzuki Celerio courtesy car. It is now 13 June and still no work has been carried out. I contacted my insurer to complain about the shoddy service. I had been misinformed and was told that I could have taken the car in for inspection and subsequently return it for repair. I contacted the bodyshop and requested an upgrade of the courtesy car, due to the delay because they misinformed me of the procedure, they refused. They tell me repairs will be possibly complete by 16 June, but no guarantee. I think they have been very underhand and I have told my insurer this. Do I have any redress against this bodyshop?

Asked on 14 June 2017 by

Answered by Honest John
In short, no. You have no redress against the bodyshop, they are acting under the contract they have with the insurer. Your redress is with the insurer in this case. Firstly, was the damage to the car caused by your self or did a third party cause it? You have different entitlements if it was not your fault. You would be entitled to an equivalent hire vehicle to the one you had. The car you have has probably been provided to you by the garage out of "courtesy" whilst your car is being repaired, in this case, if it is not part of the contract you have with your insurer you may not be even entitled to a car if you damaged your vehicle through your own fault. Complain to your insurer strongly and then complain to the Financial Ombudsman service: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumer/complaints...m
Similar questions
My friend returned to his car to find a note saying he had damaged another car in supermarket car park. This was not true, there was no incident. He now finds his premium has gone up as he reported an...
I took My 66-plate Skoda Octavia to the Skoda dealer with a tyre monitor problem, which they fixed. But after they washed the car, the service receptionist crashed my car into one of the new cars on the...
I was stationary in traffic a few months ago when I was hit from behind and shunted into the car in front. The person in front said there was only one bump and the person in the car behind me admitted...
Related models
Practical with a good boot and plenty of rear leg room. 2.5 hybrid with 2WD or 4WD available. Five year warranty. Proving very reliable.
Cheap to buy. Low running costs. Generous standard equipment. Spacious cabin and boot. Easy to drive.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer