Car Insurance & Car Maintenance?

[katdarn79]

I was driving down the road, when the bonnet flew up and came straight off smashing the widnscreen. The roof is now dented and the bonnet is scratched and obviosly no longer atched to the car.
Phoned the insurance and they have said that is down to the maintenance and will only pay for the windscreen, has any one else heard of that?
I dont understand how i would ever know that the bonnet catch was wearing.

Thanks, Kathryn x

[katdarn79]

Eddie it was over the phone, they said straight away I wasn't covered but the windscreen was. He never even asked when I last changed it. Like I said I only had it open two week ago checking the oil, water etc and there was nothing wrong with it.

[tonyav]

Kat, was it the bonnet cable or did the bonnet catch it self actually break.

[katdarn79]

The handle part under the bonnet that you would release it with. I noticed it wasn't there when a kind man lifted the bonnet back on to the car, it was further down the road.

[tonyav]

Is your insurance Fully comprehensive cover ?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Interesting one this.........if you're on the motorway doing 70 and a tyre that is visibly compliant fails with catastrophic results would they still say its your fault?

[katdarn79]

Yes it's fully comp.

[tonyav]

Then speak to Citizens Advice, kat.

[katdarn79]

I'm going to write a complaint tonight and see how I get on, thanks.

[tonyav]

Good luck, kat.

[katdarn79]

Thank you!!!xx

[Andyvon]

The condition and function of the bonnet catch is something the owner should occasionally check Katdarn. Due to the location the catch mechanism gradually collects dirt and muck which can cause the catch to lose it's efficiency. The catch should also be lubricated with oil or grease every so often. If the lubrication has been neglected then old grease or oil gets sticky and collects dirt which gums the catch up.

I'm sorry to say that I think your insurer is correct as it sounds as if the catch on your car hasn't been periodically checked or lubricated. It's a little unfair to expect them to cover the damage as it was avoidable.

The catch on my Golf was getting stiff last year so I fitted a new one. I think that sounds the best thing to do with the catch on your car.

[chas2008]

as a body shop involved in insurance claims we have repaired more than one vehicle that this has happened to, all on insurance.
we had one vehicle that had a medium bump on the front which weakened/misaligned the catch, the guy carried on driving it until the catch failed,bonnet flipped & took the screen out..
The insurance company treated it as 2 claims & paid out on both..(owner got hit with 2 x £350 excess though)

[EDDIE51]

I once had a washing machine that failed and overheated burning the clothes in it. The insurance paid out for the clothes and damage to the kitchen but not for the machine itself . On that basis the insurance company should pay for the damage to the car but not for the actual catch. Definitely worth a complaint if they don't pay, if they still refuse to pay there is the insurance ombudsman to complain to.
They will get their money back in the end though as if you claim your insurance will go up for the next 5 years due to your 'claims history'.

[katdarn79]

Chas2008, it's funny you should say that as my boyfriends friend has had a body shop for over 20 tears and said he's never come across insurance saying I'm not covered. My excess is £100 for the windscreen and £150 for the rest.

Andyvon, my catch was not stiff and showed no signs of anything been wrong, how old was your golf?

What I don't get is surely if it's my fault in there eyes they wouldn't pay for the windscreen, it makes no sense.

[katdarn79]

20 years not tears.

[RATTER15]

^^^^^^^ what a coincidence.

[ginnyb]

I heard that Renault clios had this problem a while back. I'm pretty sure it was on Watchdog...what make is your car?