The car insurance information contained within these pages is based on information supplied by The Claims Guru, a site packed with useful information about the inner workings of insurance companies and their products.
Policy Exclusions - Fair Wear & Tear
Obviously your insurer does not want to pay for the normal maintenance, servicing or wear and tear to your car. So suppose your accident dented panel is rusted through, your paint work is faded or you damaged exhaust pipe was near the end of its life anyway. This is the exclusion your insurer will rely upon when getting your car repaired. Your insurer will tell the garage to charge you for 'betterment' or a 'contribution'.
"I started to slow down but the traffic was more stationary than I
thought."
Extracts taken from actual claim forms submitted to
a number of UK car insurance companies
When the garage fit new parts to replace parts worn out or rusted, you are having the car improved. That is contrary to the principle of 'indemnity' and you will be asked to pay the value of the improvement. A good quality insurer will nowadays only ask this for parts you normally expect to replace during the life time of the car, e.g. tyres, battery, exhaust and so on.
Standards vary from one insurer to another. You should expect a good insurer to:
- tell you in writing what you are being asked to pay, in advance, and why
- be prepared to discuss and negotiate your share of the repair cost, if any (but don't you be unreasonable either!!)
- only charge for parts replaced you would normally expect to replace during the life of the car
"A car drove away at speed catching our client who went up in the air
and his head went through the windscreen and then rolled off at the
traffic lights a good few feet away. The car then sped off and
miraculously our client remained conscious and managed to cross the
road."
Extracts taken from actual claim forms
submitted to
a number of UK car insurance companies
