Interesting. My agreement paperwork is very clear about who is liable for the charges and it ain't me! They pursue the TP for the charges, and in the event they don't pay then there is a policy in place to protect me from any liability, actually this cost is also covered by the TP so no charge for that to me. I also also spoke with them on the phone yesterday and verified again that there's no comeback to me on the charges. Which is all good, because with £15k to spare I'd buy another 'Z and make it into a superlight project car!
Yes that's what I said,
The TP is liable unless they dont pay then you are but you have been sold (which is claimed off the TP) an insurance policy to cover the fact you are liable.
It took me 3 years of letters answered again and again and a court appearance as a witness before the hire liability insurance policy paid out to cover the refusal of the TP insurance to pay out,
It is possible (However unlikely) that the hire liability insurance will not pay out and then you are liable. ( Read again what you have signed )
Some people will not be able to cope with the 3 years of uncertainty of who will have to pay the hire charge, despite there being an insurance policy in place to cover your liability.
At the end of the day Its still your liability (although insured), and if it all goes tits up they will claim off you.
Were you advised to take legal advice before signing? as the fact that I wasn't was a factor in the judgement in my case.