Rip off Insurance Company

[artyman]

I've just had my renewal through from Churchills, the usual raft of amendments to the policy, the most significant being
"2 Parts
We may decide to repair your car with parts which have not been made by your car's manufactirer but which are of a similar standard including recycled parts.

If any part or accesory is not avaialable, the most we will pay for that part will be the cost shown in the manufacturers last UK price list (plus reasonable fitting costs)."

So that would invalidate any MB warranty straight off! not sure I want secondhand parts fitted either. Has anyone else noticed this in their policies? Sounds like one for Watchdog

 

[ddavidm]

There is no other sort.

 

[ddavidm]

p.s., insurance companies seem to dictate to the government what they want to happen in the world, so they are unlikely to be too bothered by Watchdog.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Where does it mention second-hand parts?

Also you can still have OEM parts used, just not at your insurance company's expense. Presumably this is how Churchill offer lower premiums. You can always vote with your feet...

 

[bes1110]

Recycled probably refers to re- manufactured and not second hand from the local breakers.

 

[et0609]

Using second hand parts sounds very unusual. Id definately go elsewhere for my insurance. 7 or so years ago, I insured my old Mondeo ST220 with Swiftcover who were quite new at the time and completely online to save money. I had an accident and it was a total loss. The claims process was utterly painful and I have never used a "low cost" insurance company since. You get what you pay for and ever since that experience I have opted to pay a little more, just in case.

 

[markjay]

While they did not actually say 'second hand'... why not? Insurance is meant to put you (financially) back to where you were before the insured incident occurred. If you car is say 2 years old, and in need of a new body panel, then surely they would be within their rights paying for a 2-years old (or newer) panel? If you get a brand new panel fitted instead of your 2-yaers old damaged one then this would be betterment.

Said that, what they actually mention is non-original parts to OE quality. This is separate issue. Unless you can demonstrate that the alternative part is of inferior quality to the original item, why not use it?

You do have a valid point regarding manufacturer's warranty however. If your car was under warranty before the insured incident, you could reasonably claim that you want it to be covered by same warranty following the restitution. But this is a good reason to buy insurance form the manufacturer - e.g. Mercedes-Benz insurance - they always promise repairs to be carried-out by their own dealer network using original parts.