Hire Van Insurance

[Jez78]

hello,

I am looking for advise on a non fault accident that happened while hiring a van.
The van was parked a on a grass verge off the road, it was hit from behind by a driver of a car that had hit another car before coming to a stop on the back doors of the van.
The police attended and photo were taken.
the driver of the car was taken to A&E as appeared to been unconscious.
When the van was retuned after the hire period the deposit was returned but then a few days later i noticed that £750 had been take out of my account.
This I was told by the hire company was the excess and would be returned when the insurance claim had been settled.
The van was written off but still no return of my deposit.
I have spent the last 11 months chasing this matter first via the hire company and mostly though the appointed solicitor.
I received an email last week from this solicitor saying they are closing the case as the driver of the car had a valid defence of automatism.

Can a hire company just take money from my account in the way they did?

Is there any other way of getting this money returned to me?

Thanks for reading this.

[judgemental24]

Re: Hire Van Insurance

I cannot answer your question but what i will say is always take out the any damage cover. It costs an extra £10.00 but well worth it

The vehicle can be damaged without your knowledge, you might scuff the wheel trims etc

I put the wrong fuel in my hire car and almost ended up with an £800 bill. This extra insurance covered it. Best £10.00 i ever spent

- - - Updated - - -

I cannot answer your question but what i will say is always take out the any damage cover as an extra. It costs an extra £10.00 but well worth it

The vehicle can be damaged without your knowledge, you might scuff the wheel trims etc

I put the wrong fuel in my hire car and almost ended up with an £800 bill. This extra insurance covered it. Best £10.00 i ever spent

[des8]

Re: Hire Van Insurance

Yes, the hire firm are quite correct.
As the driver who caused the accident was not culpable through automatism there is no redress or compensation due to any unfortunate victims.
Hence his insurers would not have to pay any third part claims (including yours for your excess).

As J said, if you can't afford to lose the excess you should insure it!