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Just thought i would put this information out there.
i know that Motability has been tightening its rules up on what has to be returned with the car when lease ends. one of which is a 2nd key now. unfortunately my autistic son decided to put my car keys into the microwave and turn it on. needless to say i was lucky that i caught it very early and have since made sure that its always turned off and unplugged after i have used it. i also tried to order eyes in the back of my head but theyre out of stock and the supplier does not know when theyll be back 😉
so i took the damaged key to the dealer who told me “sorry thats broken and theres nothing we can do to repair it but we can program you a new one for £475.00″ i walked away as i had told the service people that the GCB is only £250 and i might as well take the hit there.
a couple of weeks passed and it didn’t sit right with me. i would not want to be buying a car with only 1 key and even though i dont use a 2nd key that often now its not there it feels weird. so today i spoke to motability to make sure it was ok to hand back with 1 key and forgo the GCB. i was told that for £100 excess direct line would supply me with 2 new keys. i phone them up explained what had happened and i am now waiting for the repairer to make contact to get me my new keys.
i had never dreamed that i would be able to claim for key damage of this sorts but like the saying goes ” if you don’t ask you don’t get”
now I am in a position to still come out of this with a £150 net GCB and right now every penny counts.
sorry if this was war and peace
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Interesting story and I admire your honesty, as I’m sure that most people (not me of course 🤔😂) would have just returned the car with the two keys, in the knowledge that nobody would be any the wiser as the cars are generally binned off at auction, sold as seen.
As long as you intend sticking with Motability then all should be well, but if you ever intended leaving then it’s a shame that this will cost you your no claims history, which would have transferred with you to a private car. Unlike private insurance policies, with Motability we don’t get protected no claims discount.
Don’t think the claim against them matters so long as they don’t have to many claims. I had 3 claims 1 for each of my first 3 vehicles on motability and it didn’t effect me in anyway.
Don’t think the claim against them matters so long as they don’t have to many claims. I had 3 claims 1 for each of my first 3 vehicles on motability and it didn’t effect me in anyway.
As mentioned above, if you always intend to remain in the scheme it’s fine. The problem occurs if you leave, as you then start with zero no claims discount, whereas with a no claims history earned within Motability you can transfer at least some of it over to private insurance.
Don’t think the claim against them matters so long as they don’t have to many claims. I had 3 claims 1 for each of my first 3 vehicles on motability and it didn’t effect me in anyway.
As mentioned above, if you always intend to remain in the scheme it’s fine. The problem occurs if you leave, as you then start with zero no claims discount, whereas with a no claims history earned within Motability you can transfer at least some of it over to private insurance.
Yep another one here for being cautious about insurance claims BUT if you dont drive any privately owned cars it should not be a problem (if you do you will have to declare a claim straight away although it should not greatly affect the premium)
I always worry about lost or damaged keys and the cost and inconvenience involved. I searched some form of insurance and found one called keycare that gives cover.
You get a fob that attaches to your key ring that pairs with your phone so if you lose your keys you can search for them. It covers the loss and replacement of any key including house keys, pays for locksmiths and replacement keys and a host of other things.
Very handy thing for £4 a month.@swwchris Any claim would significantly affect certainly the first years premium of any private car insurance, until you start building up no claims history again. It used to be that many insurers would honour up to 3 years no claims history earned on a Motability vehicle, which gets you, from memory, about a 40-50% discount over a first year premium with zero no claims. It may be that some insurers will honour even more than that now, but the first 3 years are the critical ones to eliminate the bulk of the weighting.
@Mossfinn Good call about key cover. I wonder if some house and contents insurance covers lost keys, or even protection that you get with some bank account benefits? Thankfully I’ve never lost a key so haven’t had to investigate it, but would be worth a look.
Glos Guy,
I think some do but when I looked at my policy, the premium increase was higher and benefits less and, unlike a home claim, there is no excess. With key cover, if you lost your keys and were away from home, they would arrange car recovery, taxi home, replace locks on your car and house etc.
Never had to use it but the peace of mind is worth it.
Not sure, but
Too many claims could result in direct line requesting additional payments( risk premium) or refusing to insure you unless the policy has an seperate clause for keys, similar to glass coverage.
Just similar to non motability insurance, iectoo many claims, higher premiums or refusing to provide insurance.
Just a thought.
It says that the car must be returned with both keys.
I don’t believe it says they both must be operational….
@swwchris Any claim would significantly affect certainly the first years premium of any private car insurance, until you start building up no claims history again. It used to be that many insurers would honour up to 3 years no claims history earned on a Motability vehicle, which gets you, from memory, about a 40-50% discount over a first year premium with zero no claims. It may be that some insurers will honour even more than that now, but the first 3 years are the critical ones to eliminate the bulk of the weighting. @Mossfinn Good call about key cover. I wonder if some house and contents insurance covers lost keys, or even protection that you get with some bank account benefits? Thankfully I’ve never lost a key so haven’t had to investigate it, but would be worth a look.
Thanks, agree thumbs up for the clarification
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