[Lorian]

I'm not selling insurance, honest!

This is an interesting proposition I have seen in a leafet from my local dealer. If you have an accident, you can use this free Hyundai service to get your car recovered after an accident and they'll "beat up" your insurance company to make sure they carry out repairs at a hyundai approved repair centre. (you have to have fully comp insurance, read the smallprint).

I can't see a catch, and in the small print they say there aren't any. I can't recommend the service as I don't know enough about it, but I'll be applying for my free keyring, and hoping to never use it!

Website (where you get the free keyring):

http://www.callhyundaifirst.com/

Brochure (shows its genuine):

http://www.hyundai.co.uk/owners/accident/AccidentAftercare.pdf

or (newer version):

http://www.verexgroup.com/hyun/bro.pdf

FAQs:

http://www.verexgroup.com/hyun/faq.pdf

It's run for Hyundai by someone called the verex group/Retention UK. I'm sure someone might find the time to google them and find out any user experiences. They run similar services for a number of manufacturers acording to their site.

This is retention's generic description of service. I highlighted one, which is the way I suspect they and Hyundai make money out of this, but it seems reasonable enough on paper.

o provides an insurance claims service for non-fault and fault vehicle manufacturer customers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
o enrols all current vehicle manufacturer customers onto the service
o answers all customer calls from a UK based vehicle manufacturer branded call centre
o assists customers at the scene of an accident, and when necessary, recovers the vehicle back to the respective vehicle manufacturer’s own approved bodyshop
o manages the claims process for vehicle manufacturer customers of both fault and non-fault accidents from first notification to getting the vehicle repaired
o guarantees that only genuine OE parts are fitted to all bodyshop repairs
o arranges for vehicle manufacturer customers to have an own brand replacement vehicle
o arranges for vehicle manufacturer customers to have a like-for-like courtesy replacement car for all non-fault accidents whilst their vehicle is being repaired
o recovers all costs and charges as part of our clients’ uninsured loss claim process for customers, where applicable
o captures new income streams for vehicle manufacturers, dealers and approved bodyshops
o offers all vehicle manufacturer customers legal assistance if they are the injured party
o provides training and comprehensive support for vehicle manufacturer and dealer staff

[Shambles]

Looks like an interesting idea. My policy demands that my first call, subsequent to any emergency call, has to be to them (Aviva), so how they'd view this 3rd-party control I've no idea.

As you say, it'd be good to hear some users experience of this in action.

Good post.

[Lorian]

Looks like an interesting idea. My policy demands that my first call, subsequent to any emergency call, has to be to them (Aviva), so how they'd view this 3rd-party control I've no idea.

I'm with aviva too, took a quick look at their online policy and can't see it, can you point me at it?

[Shambles]

I just dug out the policy document and accompanying booklet. It's right there on the first page:

"We will help you if you are involved in an accident. Please report all accidents to us immediately"

(they have emboldened the word "us")

[Lorian]

I just dug out the policy document and accompanying booklet. It's right there on the first page:

"We will help you if you are involved in an accident. Please report all accidents to us immediately"

(they have emboldened the word "us")

Ah ok, I can see that now I have my paper copy to hand. I suspect "us" is embolden as it's one of the words in the definitions.

[eye30]

At my last service I was given a book on it and the garage put a disc, showing phone number, on the window next to my tax disc.

Reading the book the company will do all the arranging but I'm not sure whether it may invalidate my insurance cover as, as others have said the insurance company wish to deal from first notification.

ps If I'm claimingh on my policy I'm still free to use any repairer but to get the "free" hire car I have to use their appointed repairer.

However, if I'm claiming on the other drivers policy, as they are at fault, it may be worth a look as I can choose any repairer and claim for the cost of a hire car.

[Shambles]

I just dug out the policy document and accompanying booklet. It's right there on the first page:

"We will help you if you are involved in an accident. Please report all accidents to us immediately"

(they have emboldened the word "us")

Ah ok, I can see that now I have my paper copy to hand. I suspect "us" is embolden as it's one of the words in the definitions.

I think you're right. The more I [re-]read it, the more I think I'm under no [contractual] obligation to call Aviva as the primary contact, so I retract my remarks about the demand to call them.

I still wouldn't want to put this scenario to the test, though it'd be useful to see how Verex performed when required.

[bumpkin]

Well I have added my name, as you say hope to never need it!

[Shambles]

Well I have added my name...

Anything for a free keyring eh

[bumpkin]

Nah, they look pretty naff, but my insurer apparently tends to be a bit thrifty with courtesy vehicles so better to cover all bases

[Mad Dog]

Has anyone here used this service yet?

I always seem to get the worst of all worlds on Insurance claims, so it would be nice to have some help on tap.

Paul

[AlanHo]

Paulbark

I am pleased you revived this old thread - It's the first time I have seen it. I noted the following small - in fact tiny - print at the bottom of the enrollment form

Hyundai Accident AfterCare is provided on behalf of Hyundai Motor UK Ltd by Retention UK Limited and is regulated by the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated claims management activities. Retention UK Limited is an appointed representative of Original Insurance Services Ltd, which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This service may be reduced if you are not comprehensively insured or your policy has restrictions in cover. By using this site you agree that we may use your personal information for the purposes of fulfilling your above request, and for future communications from Hyundai Accident AfterCare and/or Hyundai Insurance if you have selected these options. You may opt out of communications at any time by emailing help@verexgroup.com.

It would appear that it is a multi layered claims management company acting on behalf of Hyundai. Most claims management activities are currently regarded by the media as parasites - the commissions they earn in managing a claim being a big factor in pushing up insurance premiums.  I am not saying that it applies in this case - I have no idea and await the verdict of the forum jury.

I am not a lawyer - so I have no idea whether this arrangement is in one's interest or not. For sure they are not doing this for nothing and Hyundai's interest seems to be to drive repairs to their own network of repairers. This may - or may not - be a good thing.

I found this on the Ministry of Justice website

http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/inspection-and-monitoring/claims-management-regulation/index.htm

I hope that we have members here who can throw more light on the topic - I will join the scheme only when I am convinced it is in my best interests.

[bumpkin]

Well I am in the scheme although I haven't used it.

Your insurance premium goes up for a variety of reasons, the use of third party parasites probably doesn't make an awful lot of difference.

Let's take Lesters recent run of bad luck, I wonder if he had used this where the car would have been taken to the dealer for repair if 4 months down the line he would be satisfied and driving around in a singular toned car??  We will never know, but given his experience I would be willing to give ANYTHING else a shot in the future, wouldn't you??

[eye30]

When I called at the dealers 2 weeks ago to arrange for the rear window replacement and the techi noticed the paint not matching he mentioned this to me .

From what he said it is a organisation which takes over the claims process and liaises on your behalf between the insurance company, repairers, loan car providers etc

He said that the car would have been taken to Hy UK appointed repairer and ONLY genuine Hy parts and paint would be used but he wasn't sure who they would be in my area.
Might have been the company which has carried out the repairs on the car!!,

Whether the appointed repairers  would have done a repair which would have prevented the problems I'm having who knows!!!

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has used this service..

[baroudeur]

Some insurance companies impose an additional excess if their approved repairer is not used.  This is to reduce the risk of claims being loaded with additional work not part of the original accident.  As usual it is the actions of the minority causing frustration to the rest.

I am with Aviva who impose £200 so will not be using the scheme.  My Hyundai dealer, one of the largest, doesn't have a body shop so would farm out any accident repairs.  I'm not sure if any Hyundai dealers have their own repair facilities.

[diablo]

I have the Call Hyundai Direct on my mobile since I registered, along with my insurance company. I notice they say in the brochure -

If I Call Hyundai First will it increase my next
insurance premium?
Definitely not if you were not at fault for the accident;
the other party’s insurer pays for your claim.
If the accident is your fault, any increase in your next
premium should be no more than if the insurer’s
bodyshop did the repair, as we approve all repair 
costs with your insurer prior to proceeding.

Though I think I'll send an email to Prudential to confirm this before I use the Hyundai service.

I had a bump a month after I got my new car and the Pru handled it well, with a courtesy car thrown in, so I'm not sure I'd benefit much anyway. Hyundai didn't notice the repair when they did the first year inspection.

[bumpkin]

My Hyundai dealer has their own bodyshop.

[asathorny]

The amount of Warranty affected is going to be a vairable isn't it, if it's a side bump which dents a door panel requiring a new skin and a blow over I fail to see how Hyundai's warranty is affected.

If on the other hand it's a head on smash damging steering and maybe engine parts et al....   then it is a whole different ball game.   Most insurers nowadays have their won approved bodyshops, don't they, and if warranty parts are damaged then they presumably would have to give some warranty on their work and parts (no) ????

[baroudeur]

I have the Call Hyundai Direct on my mobile since I registered, along with my insurance company. I notice they say in the brochure -

If I Call Hyundai First will it increase my next
insurance premium?

Though I think I'll send an email to Prudential to confirm this before I use the Hyundai service.

It's not the question of increasing the  renewal premium but insurers imposing a high excess on repairs not done by their  approved repairers .  This is becoming common practice among insurers.

[baroudeur]

  Most insurers nowadays have their won approved bodyshops, don't they, and if warranty parts are damaged then they presumably would have to give some warranty on their work and parts (no) ????

Almost all body shops/insurers give a five year warranty on their repairs.
A warranty claim to Hyundai could only be refused if the part(s) involved were previously repaired or directly associated with an accident repair.

[eye30]

It's not the question of increasing the  renewal premium but insurers imposing a high excess on repairs not done by their  approved repairers .  This is becoming common practice among insurers.

I wasn't aware of this.

My contract is for £xx excess and I would only expect to pay this in a fault claim or a claim on my policy regardless of who carried out the repairs.

I also have loan car cover and am aware that if I make a claim on my policy I only get the loan car if I use the insurance company approved repairers.

[AlanHo]

During my internet trawl for car insurance quotes - my renewal is 15th March - I have downloaded policies from 3 insurers to see the detail. On two of them, hidden in the fine print in legal speak, it says that if you have your car repaired at a place not on their recommended list - you have to pay the first £250 of the cost. They will only pick up the tab if you use one of their tame repairers.

I hate this job - sorting through insurance quotes to find out exactly what is, and what is not included and excluded.

Needless to say - the damned phone has been ringing off the hook the last few days because I have been requesting quotes on the internet. One of them called at 9.45 last Friday evening and got a flea in his ear for being so inconsiderate. I had 4 calls yesterday - and my calendar says it was Sunday.

[eye30]

if you have your car repaired at a place not on their recommended list - you have to pay the first £250 of the cost. They will only pick up the tab if you use one of their tame repairers.

I've just checked my current policy and I can't see this.
This must be a new condition recently introduced.

I presume cars have been repaired which have had inflated costs etc and is a bid to reduce cost but increase profit.

Mine is due next month so I'll be checking this bit out given the service I've recently received.

[AlanHo]

Here is an example - though it is specified on the web quote so I can't accuse them of being devious.

Note that the excess is in addition to any other excess on the policy.

This one is from Quotemehappy.com - a division of Aviva

[diablo]

My policy with the Pru has no mention of non-approved repairers at all. I assume they get a discount if they've negotiated a deal with various body-shops.

I notice this paragraph about courtesy cars though -

Following a claim under Section B or
Section C, if Your Car is repaired by an
Approved Repairer, they will provide You
with a car whilst Your own is being repaired.
The courtesy car is intended to keep You
mobile during the course of repairs and is
not intended to be like for like in terms of
size, type, value or status.

I reckon I'd go straight to the insurance company. I assume they'd use the Hyundai agent if there was also mechanical damage ??

[eye30]

I notice this paragraph about courtesy cars though -

Following a claim under Section B or
Section C, if Your Car is repaired by an
Approved Repairer, they will provide You
with a car whilst Your own is being repaired.
The courtesy car is intended to keep You
mobile during the course of repairs and is
not intended to be like for like in terms of
size, type, value or status.

The loan car paragraph has been standard for many years if you make a claim under your policy.  If you are 3rd party you can request a car same as your own.

I reckon I'd go straight to the insurance company. I assume they'd use the Hyundai agent if there was also mechanical damage ??

Probably not........... They will expect the nominated repairer to undertake all work as they should have full restoration facilities as part of their appointment to the list.

[diablo]

Doesn't it imply that you get no guarantee of a courtesy car if you don't use the approved repairer though ?

The body-shops round here that I've seen do only that - repair bodies. They won't touch mechanical stuff.  

[baroudeur]

The body-shops round here that I've seen do only that - repair bodies. They won't touch mechanical stuff.

Most body repairs involve 'mechanical'  parts. All the bodyshops I have been in (and that's quite a lot as I used to collect those cars they couldn't repair) carried out all the work needed.   They may call in a specialist for some items  like electrics or fuel injection.  Strangely. most call in glass specialists for windscreen and windows.

[eye30]

Update:

Renewal came today and it doesn't mention about increased excess if I don't use their approved repairers.

It does stipulate that a loan car WILL ONLY be provided if I use approved repairers.

Excess on replacement glasss the same and NO excess on repairs.

In fact the only thing changed from last year is an increase in premium of approx 75 p per week.

[baroudeur]

I've just checked my current policy and I can't see this.
This must be a new condition recently introduced.

It's been around for some years.  Some of the smaller insurers will not have the clout to conclude such  a deal with a repair shop..
It will certainly be in the proposal form and not always easy to see.

Edit: crossed posts

So who are you insured with?  If they have approved insurers you need to make sure there is no extra excess if you do not use them.