insurance problem, windscreen protection

j4vier

hi

one of the side glasses in my car had been smashed by vandals

i rang my insurance company, arb

they said that because it is vandalism, i would need to pay an excess of 150 euro

same thing happened years ago with aviva and they covered the cost no problem

can anyone explain how does windscreen cover work as i was under the impression that a fully comp insurance with windscreen cover would have these issues covered?

thanks

CiniO

What does you insurance policy document say about it?
What insurer are you with?

MidlandsM

ring them back and tell them you were mistaken, that your car was broken into - not vandalised.

djimi

j4vier wrote: »

can anyone explain how does windscreen cover work as i was under the impression that a fully comp insurance with windscreen cover would have these issues covered?

It varies from policy to policy; what my insurer will cover yours may not. Only sure way to know is to either check your policy or confirm with your insurer.

j4vier

i am fully comp with arb through chill.ie


it says an excess of 150e applies for damage vandalism and theft but i thought for some reason windscreens were on their own


similar prob happened with aviva 3 years ago, i had a fully comp policy back then as well and i had no hassle in gettin the glass repaired for free without affecting the ncb

i ll never trust cheap car insurance again

j4vier

MidlandsM wrote: »

ring them back and tell them you were mistaken, that your car was broken into - not vandalised.

i m not sure how that would change things?

j4vier

on a different topic

what can i do if i am unhappy with my insurance policy?

i mean i am not happy to have an insurance that does not cover these issues and i d like to change it so that i have a full windscreen cover

is it possible? i have 9 months left on it so quite a long way to go

De Hipster

j4vier wrote: »

on a different topic

what can i do if i am unhappy with my insurance policy?

i mean i am not happy to have an insurance that does not cover these issues and i d like to change it so that i have a full windscreen cover

is it possible? i have 9 months left on it so quite a long way to go

I imagine with many of these companies for a 'charge' you can add/upgrade cover throughout the life-term of the policy.

Gurgle

j4vier wrote: »

can anyone explain how does windscreen cover work as i was under the impression that a fully comp insurance with windscreen cover would have these issues covered?

I *think* windscreen cover only covers your actual front windscreen, and for accidental breakages caused by lose chippings / speed bumps etc.

Vandalism would be covered by a policy that didn't include windscreen cover, but the excess is applied.

CiniO

j4vier wrote: »

on a different topic

what can i do if i am unhappy with my insurance policy?

i mean i am not happy to have an insurance that does not cover these issues and i d like to change it so that i have a full windscreen cover

is it possible? i have 9 months left on it so quite a long way to go

Is this your first year with this insurer?
You can always cancel policy anytime and buy a new one with different insurer. Only problem with this, is that usually if it's your first year with your current insurer, they might impose mad cancellation charges, so you will end up paying f.e. for 8 months of a policy if you cancel now (after 3 months).
It might just not be worth it.

Also I don't think you can cancel a policy anymore after you had a claim. (but I understand that you didn't claim yet).

CiniO

j4vier wrote: »

i am fully comp with arb through chill.ie


it says an excess of 150e applies for damage vandalism and theft but i thought for some reason windscreens were on their own


similar prob happened with aviva 3 years ago, i had a fully comp policy back then as well and i had no hassle in gettin the glass repaired for free without affecting the ncb

i ll never trust cheap car insurance again

So. I'm obviously not sure if that's exactly your policy booklet, but that's what I found online.


http://www.arb.ie/Documents/MotorInsurance/Motor%20Insurance%20Policy%20Booklet%20Jan%202012.pdf

Section 6
Windscreen and Windows
What is covered
We will pay for damage to the Insured Vehicle’s windscreen or windows. If this is the only damage
you are claiming for, your No Claims Discount will not be affected.
The maximum amount we will pay is €380:
• in any one Period of Insurance if the windscreen or window is replaced or repaired by our
approved supplier. Refer to your broker for details.
• or €100 in any one Period of Insurance if any other supplier carries out the repair or replacement.
What is not covered
• Any loss or damage if you do not have cover under this Section.
• Any loss or damage as a result of malicious intent, theft or attempted theft.
• Damaged sunroofs, roof panels, lights or reflectors, even if they are made of glass.
• Extra costs for the work to be undertaken outside normal hours, unless the windscreen is
shattered, or the driver’s vision or the security of the Insured Vehicle, is affected.
• VAT if you are registered.

So generally speaking you made the mistake from the begining telling them it was vandalised.
You should have told them, you don't know how the window was broken (as I assume that's the case anyway as you didn't see anyone braking it). Then they would most likely be forced to cover it under windscreen cover.
After you told them it was vandalised, windscreen cover doesn't apply to it anymore, and only way to fix it is from your own car damage extension (comprehensive cover) which impies excess and it would also cause you to loose NCB. So nearly certainly it's not worth it.

It's always good to read your policy booklet before you buy a policy just to be aware what is covered and what is not. (just a little hint for a future)

CiniO

Gurgle wrote: »

I *think* windscreen cover only covers your actual front windscreen, and for accidental breakages caused by lose chippings / speed bumps etc.

My windscreen cover applies to all glass (except from sunroof) and there are no limitation only to accidental damage on it.
So it all depends on policy.

j4vier

CiniO wrote: »

So. I'm obviously not sure if that's exactly your policy booklet, but that's what I found online.


http://www.arb.ie/Documents/MotorInsurance/Motor%20Insurance%20Policy%20Booklet%20Jan%202012.pdf



So generally speaking you made the mistake from the begining telling them it was vandalised.
You should have told them, you don't know how the window was broken (as I assume that's the case anyway as you didn't see anyone braking it). Then they would most likely be forced to cover it under windscreen cover.
After you told them it was vandalised, windscreen cover doesn't apply to it anymore, and only way to fix it is from your own car damage extension (comprehensive cover) which impies excess and it would also cause you to loose NCB. So nearly certainly it's not worth it.

It's always good to read your policy booklet before you buy a policy just to be aware what is covered and what is not. (just a little hint for a future)

thanks for the explanation

i m not sure however whats right to say in these circumstances

certainly they will ask me how the window got damaged

if i didnt do it myself, it can only be down to malicious intent, theft or attempted theft hence been excluded automatically from the windscreen cover

CiniO

j4vier wrote: »

thanks for the explanation

i m not sure however whats right to say in these circumstances

certainly they will ask me how the window got damaged

if i didnt do it myself, it can only be down to malicious intent, theft or attempted theft hence been excluded automatically from the windscreen cover

Maybe there was a stone thrown from under wheel of vehicle passing nearby where your vehicle was parked.

My understanding is that if you didn't see it yourself how it happened, then all you can say is that you don't know how your windows was broken.
It could as well just crack in the sun, or maybe bird flew into it and broke it.

djimi

The issue here is not whether the windscreen is covered, it's whether or not the excess must be paid. A lot of policies will not have an excess on the windscreen, but by the sounds of it yours does.

You could ring around and see how much it will cost to get it fixed yourself, but I'd be surprised if it was less than €150.

CiniO

djimi wrote: »

The issue here is not whether the windscreen is covered, it's whether or not the excess must be paid. A lot of policies will not have an excess on the windscreen, but by the sounds of it yours does.

You could ring around and see how much it will cost to get it fixed yourself, but I'd be surprised if it was less than €150.

His policy most likely doesn't have any excess on windscreen cover, but unfortunately if glass breakage was done by vandalism or attempted theft, then this damage can't be covered under windscreen cover, and must be covered by own car damage, which impies excess and lost of NCB.
I assume that's the story here.

j4vier

well, i sent an email asking them if my case could be reviewed because as you said cianO i wasnt there when it happened, the company seems quite strict on this issue though so im not sure of what will be the outcome

tbh i am mad at myself first for not reading the policy first, but i still find it quite confusing even now so probably that wouldnt have made much difference.. its one of those things that you realise once it happens to yourself

but i'm also not happy with chill, they should explain better the limitations of a policy that they are selling to you, instead on focusing on the cheapest quote which in the long terms could turn out to be more expensive

coming from aviva a few years back, i now see why they are always a bit more expensive than the rest and that's because i had none of these problems with them


i got quotes for that glass between 75 and 108 euro so far