Reply To: Zipcars are covered under Platinum car hire excess insurance but Zipvans are not

[Lady London]

PeteM wrote:

Absolutely, @Lady London, but I think the definition of a “commercial vehicle” would be useful somewhere in their T&Cs? Chatting to a few people who have the card and rely on this excess insurance, they were all of the view they’d be covered in a Zipvan as it’s not “commercial”. I personally pictures a Luton van and above under a “commercial vehicle,” but definitely interested in the views of others.

The clue is in the name “Zipvan” as in van not car. That’s a clue it’s a van not a car 🙂 .

I agree with you “commercial vehicle” is a slightly trade term and might not translate as a not-car to some drivers, especially anyone whose native language is not English. However for those having anything to do with cars including hiring them, most would know a commercial vehicle probably is a not-car. Really they mean ‘vehicle of a commercial nature’ even if your use of it is private. I honestly don’t think you’d win an argument with an insurer.

For example another distinction : did you know that on some roads, the speed limit is lower for you if you are in a van-based car model, than if you were in a car-based van model?