Car insurance claim news
19/11/2008

Fully comp excess for young woman insurance buyers

For a 24-year-old Welsh woman insurance has become a nightmare after her car was hit by vandals as she enjoyed a game of rugby in Cardiff.

The young woman car insurance buyer had left her Smart car in Briton Ferry, Neath and taken the train to the Millennium stadium, bur on her return her car was nowhere to be seen.

Police had already removed the vehicle for forensic examination after it had been tipped over and damaged by youths.

A spokesperson said, "Police are investigating criminal damage to a parked car at Shelone Road, Briton Ferry, which happened at around 10pm on Saturday. Six youths, aged 16 to 17, wearing hats and hooded tops, were seen running from the area."

The young driver was shocked to find she would have to pay a large amount of excess to cover bills for the repairs.

A Direct Line spokeswoman said, "The standard excess on our motor policy is £250 if you are between 21 and 24. [The insured] chose to elect an additional voluntary excess of £200, which makes her total excess £450. Direct Line launched the vandalism promise in January this year, which will cover acts of vandalism as long as customers have a crime reference number and no other vehicle is involved. Because of this promise, [she] won't lose her no-claims discount."

The young woman said of her insurance, "When you have fully comp insurance cover, you don't expect this. Direct Line asked me who were they meant to claim the money from. It's disgusting. I can't get to work because I have no car and I haven't got the money to pay for repairs."