Hi Lucy,

Friend of mine had an accident in her own vehicle.Not her fault. While in the repairers, her insurance company lent her a vehicle through a hire company.

While parked overnight in the street, some toerag keyed one side of the car. The hire company says she is liable for the repairs which are, they say, £450. Her access is £350. She feels it is not her fault and that they should do the work on their own car through their own insurance. They say she must pay. They have given her two weeks to comply.

As she said herself, if she had been involved in an accident then so be it, she would settle through her own insurance. But as this was not of her doing, and could have happened anywhere, why should she pay. The alternative in that case would be she sits in the car 24/7 until her car comes back making sure nothing happens to the hired car. Which is ludicrous. The company could have sent someone out to do the deed, then claim insurance money, or cash.

How does she stand?