This is exactly why I HATE insurance companies. They charge us a fortune, which we pay in good faith, and then if you ever need to make a claim they don't want to know. Luckily, touch wood, I've never needed to make a claim, but I dread the day I do.

Playing along with your game, do I need to declare my spare wheel as that's not standard any more.

Depends if it was standard at the time your car was built. If you added it or specified it as an option then yes.

Why, because if the car is a total loss and you had it as a factory option, then you'd want them to provide you a new car with a spare too.

Edited 25 February, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai

Many years ago My dads car was damaged by the next door neighbour. Dads 2 year old car was parked at the bottom of his drive not on the road. Neighbour did "U" turn into dads drive into his car . Dad was in his house at the time but saw the accident. Neighbour admitted to him and the insurance companies it was her fault and confirmed details as seen by dad.

Dad had had car insurance with the same company for about 25 years with no claims . ( Coop) .

Dads insurance assessor came out to look at damage to car . The first thing he did was to check the tyres for any defects ! ( which were fine). They did pay out but dad changed his insurance company after that, a disillusioned and wiser man..

Edited 25 February, 201016 yr by vwcabriolet1971

I passed all your thoughts on, and I'm pleased to report that the insurance company backed down today and have agreed to pay out in full.

I don't know the exact details of the discussions yet, but it's a good result.

Thanks again,

Good news indeed.

As others have said , if you buy a second hand car , it's entirely possible that it may have had some factory fit options that you don't know about and if the answers given to the insurance company at the time were honest and in good faith they should pay out.

It's nice to see that common sense has prevailed.