Van hire company does not cover accidents

[jmrjamjar]

I hired a van through a package delivery company to do deliveries for them a few months ago whilst out of work, due to lockdown. I reversed into a rock covered in grass one day whilst reversing out of the way of a bus down a narrow lane. The hire paperwork I signed referred to a £750 excess for any accidents I had. The company have now taken all of my earnings (nearly £2000) to pay for the damage, informing me that the insurance didn't cover damage caused by inanimate objects. I never read that in the hire document that I signed. Had it said that I was not covered fully comprehensive I would have sorted out my own insurance. The company (the car hire company, which interestingly is owned by the package delivery company and also owns the vehicle repair company) claim I still owe over £300 to cover the cost of the repairs and if I don't pay they will instruct a debt recovery company. The only documents they have supplied showing what I have signed are the first 2 pages of the van hire document showing the £750 excess charge. They didn't attach scans of the further 9 pages and I was not given a copy at the time of the van hire. I have emailed to ask for the document in full, but am still waiting. I fear they will create something that makes it look like I agreed to this. I understand they do this scam quite a lot. Would love some advice on what I can do next. Really strapped for cash now and still have bills to pay. I can't afford to pay them more money and my self-employed job is only just starting to pick up again.

[des8]

If you were employed by the delivery company I would be considering suing them for unlawful withholding of wages but this will depend on your contract with them.
Tagging our employment guru Ula

Debt recovery company can be ignored once you tell them the debt is in dispute.

Send SAR (Subject Access Request Letter) to hire company and deny any debt other than possibly the £750 excess

Can you name the companies involved/ We may know of them already

[ULA]

When you started with the company were you taken on as an employee of the company or self-employed.

If as an employee were you provided with a contract of employment or a written statement of particulars? If so was there anything in the document about what happens in the event of an accident?

If there was nothing in any contract did they have a policy in regard to vehicle usage or something along similar lines?