UAE | Traffic and Transport
Give us a ride, residents tell insurance companies
Insurance companies should provide alternative means of transport when a car is damaged in an accident and goes for repairs, say residents.
- By Mohammad Shamseddine, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 February 5, 2006
Abu Dhabi: Insurance companies should provide alternative means of transport when a car is damaged in an accident and goes for repairs, say residents.
While some insurers provide their customers with a standby car, the majority do not, they complain.
It should be made mandatory especially when the accident is not of the customers' making, say residents.
Husam Nasser, a student from Lebanon, said he pays Dh8,000 a year and does not get the right service.
"In case of an accident I think the company must provide me an alternative car while my car is being fixed, especially for the amount I'm paying," he said.
Andrea Edwards, a teacher from Canada, said insurance companies should provide standby cars.
"When an accident takes place, it's not always my fault and I pay the company for such a service," she said.
"All insurance companies should give an alternative car when the accident-car is undergoing repairs," she added.
Wasim Derbi, from Palestine, who works in marketing, said such a service should be provided depending on the nature of the accident and time taken for repairs.
"If it's a couple of days I guess it's OK to use a taxi. But if takes a week or so then they [insurance companies] should provide an alternative," he said.
"It also depends on the value of the insurance paid, I think they can increase the insurance fees for such services," he said.
Zeina Bou Saeb, a shop manager from Lebanon, said it is the right of the customer to get a temporary car. "Since we pay a lot for insurance, at least the insurance companies should provide us with a replacement," she said.
"A better reason to give you another car is when the accident happened due to no fault of yours," she added.
Charlita Baer, a nurse from the United States, said it was common in all countries to provide such a service.
"In the US, they do the same, I expect companies here to do it too," she said.
"What will you do if you don't have a car and you paid for your insurance? They have to work to the convenience of the customer," she added.
Hilal Faraj, an engineer from Lebanon, said the type of insurance is important in such a case.
"If I'm not paying enough insurance fees I don't think I should get a car. I don't mind if the insurance companies raise the value of the insurance," he said.
Salem Awad, a UAE national, said his car had met with a few accidents but he was never given an alternative car by the insurance company.
"They [insurance companies] never offered me an alternative car. I think they should do that, especially when the accident occurred due to no fault of mine," he said.
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