Hi All,

I've had a problem with my Superb Estate, that being only half the heated windscreen actually heats - now, a new screen has came in under warranty, (took 8 days) and is being fitted at dealers next week (+7 days)

I'm self-employed, and need to get around (i cant sit in the dealers waiting for the sealant to set) so have asked for a loan car. - i have been told i can either put it on my insurance (which my insurance company will charge me for the pleasure of making an alteration to the policy) or use their insurance, priced at a little over £11.

now my question is, as it is NOT my choice that the car functions incorrectly, and it's NOT my fault that it needs fixing, should i have to covering the cost of insure their car? or should Skoda be covering it?

Thoughts please....

Alan.

My comprehensive cover (I'm not coverd for business use) says that I am coverd to drive another persons car third party fire & theft if I have the owners permission. Hire cars are excluded, but if you have something similar on your policy could this be an option as you aren't hiring a car?

It's morally wrong and as a someone who's had new cars (with warranty) for 30 years it's a recent development which I don't like any more than you.

If it's any consellation to you Skoda are by no means alone in doing this. Other dealers do the same (mercedes for one)

It does vary from dealer to dealer so if you aren't happy paying it ring other Skoda dealers and get a free loan car from them.

Mark.

My comprehensive cover (I'm not coverd for business use) says that I am coverd to drive another persons car third party fire & theft if I have the owners permission. Hire cars are excluded, but if you have something similar on your policy could this be an option as you aren't hiring a car?

I have this on my policy but I wouldn't want to take the risk of driving a the courtesy car on TPF&T. Why should the OP have to take this risk?

Thanks for that guys,

I've been told that it must be covered Fully-Comp when it leaves the dealer, so that gets them over this - with regard to driving other peoples cars, i believe that you are only covered for driving personal cars as you need the owners permission - ie, i cant drive my dad's company car under my insurance, as the company would have to give me permission and who is "the company" :wonder:

Alan.

No consolation for you, but no charge here in Hull.

And free valet whenever car goes in, be it warranty work or service, large or small job. Also can book in for free valet all the time I own the car.

my local honda dealer used to do the same until i told them i wasnt paying it !! and if they wanted my servicing business and they have had the best part of 150k worth of cars from me and my family over the last few years , then they better look after me !

have never paid since !

stand your ground make a fuss contact skoda if all else fails start shouting

Andy

I dont pay for loan cars if i did i would use another dealer , HOWEVER check the small print when you collect loan cars i know my dealer requires ME to pay the first £1000 of ANY insurance claim!!

When i had a Mercedes loan car they wanted the first £5k!!

My insurance gives exactly he same cover on a loan car as my own & clearly states this, so all I do is take it with me as proof & insist the dealer photocopies so that we are both covered. As above it doesnt cover hire cars. BTW My insurance is LV.

FYI - Fiat do charge if you use their cover, but have a £500 excess. ( thats when i told them to ' go 4th & multiply ' & found mine did the same job at no cost ).

Sadly it is the usual story that some people hsve spoiled it for the many. It will not be the first time that a loan car has been returned damaged and someone has eventually had to foot the bill for repairs.

My insurance company has a section on my insurance certificate that automatically covers courtesy cars when a car is in for servicing. This appears on most "decent" policies these days. I am shopping around for renewal quotes at the moment and this contingency will possibly help with my decision.

On the other hand... If you pay the £15 or so to the dealer then the dealers insurance is covering you whilst you are in charge of their car and if the worst should happen then it will be nothing to do with your insurance and your NCB will be unharmed.

Taking a different view the cost per mile of running a car does not only mean the cost of fuel, it also covers tyre wear , servicing costs (which come round all too soon) , so putting the miles on their car instead of your own is not such a bad thing.(Except you would rather be in your own car!!!)

On the other hand... If you pay the £15 or so to the dealer then the dealers insurance is covering you whilst you are in charge of their car and if the worst should happen then it will be nothing to do with your insurance and your NCB will be unharmed.

I beg to differ. If the worst should happen (i.e. the user of a loan car has a blameworthy claim) then they would still have to inform ytheir insurance company and regardless of their ncb their premium would be increased for at least 3 years. If a loan car user 'forgot' to inform their insurance company and that insurance company then found out about the claim (they do share information) then said user might well find their policy cancelled and the Police informed with regards to the offence of making a false statement to obtain insurance (i.e. by answering no to the question 'have you had any accidents, claims or convictions in the past x number of years)

Definately not worth it.

Mark.

I purposely don't pay and sometimes this gets a sharp intake of breath through clenched teeth. I just point out to them if I do have an accident and have to pay the £500 excess I will make sure there is more than £500's worth of damage so at least I get my moneys worth.

That soon gets their attention.

I beg to differ. If the worst should happen (i.e. the user of a loan car has a blameworthy claim) then they would still have to inform ytheir insurance company and regardless of their ncb their premium would be increased for at least 3 years. If a loan car user 'forgot' to inform their insurance company and that insurance company then found out about the claim (they do share information) then said user might well find their policy cancelled and the Police informed with regards to the offence of making a false statement to obtain insurance (i.e. by answering no to the question 'have you had any accidents, claims or convictions in the past x number of years)

Definately not worth it.

Mark.

They get you all ways!!.

Feel like digging my bicycle out!!

Thanks all for your replies - looks like i've opened a little can of worms here!

I emailed Skoda yesterday via the website, but have had no response as yet.

It's still going in, and i will pay their insurance, rather than bothering mine, but i will still ask for a receipt and attempt to take it up with Skoda at a later date, if they haven't got back to me before wednesday!

Al.

Why have you emailled Skoda? Just curious.

All dealers are franchised and run thus by their relevant compaines so if they decide to charge you for anything then thats their business. If its company policy then Skoda have nothing to do with it.

I dont think we charge, but have worked in places that do, and considering the astronomical costs of company insurance I dont blame them, some people are just damn right careless with loan cars and bring them back in all states. You have the choice to insure it yourself or not take a car, its a crap situation that your car went wrong, but thats life, things break down.

You have the choice to insure it yourself or not take a car, its a crap situation that your car went wrong, but thats life, things break down.

I agree that it's life, but its more or less like i am having to pay, to fix my car, through a situation that is not of my making - that's why i'm peeved!

If someone had collided with me on the roads, damaging my car, and it was away to be repaired, i would expect their insurers to cover the cost of keeping me on the road, not for them to supply me a car, and charge me to insure it.

I know that dealers are franchised, but i do think that Skoda should be picking up the bill.

Al.