An accident
transmits you without the use of your car, so you need a replacement to keep
you mobile while your car is repaired, or until you get your settlement.
If the
accident wasn’t your fault, you might be suggested a courtesy car or a hire
car. But do you know the difference?
Courtesy cars
Normally,
you’re usually offered a courtesy car if your own is damaged but repairable.
A courtesy
car is just that – a courtesy. It’s a replacement, usually presented by the
garage that’s carrying out the repairs, and is generally a small-engine
hatchback.
Insurers
often offer courtesy cars with their methods, or as additional extras, though
they usually come with some shapes.
It could
depend on you agree to use one of their recommended garages, and it’ll always
be subject to availability.
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Credit hire cars
Credit hire
is when you’re given a replacement car, but no money changes hands until the
hire is over.
If you
weren’t at fault for an accident, your insurer may allow you a credit hire car
and plan to claim the costs back from a third-party insurer.
Many
insurers offer “like-for-like” hire because they feel it’s the best way to look
after their customers.
This means
they may try to put you in a hire car that’s as similar to your own car as
possible, even if it’s a souped-up prestige motor that costs an arm and a leg
to hire.
However, you
should look into what you’re actually being offered, and how much it’s going to
cost. – there’s always a chance those charges could be disputed and come back
onto you.
The way
credit hire works is that the company will provide you with a replacement and
have you sign for it.
Once the
hire is over, they’ll send an invoice of the daily charges over to the insurer
of whoever was at fault for the accident.
The issue is
there’s no guarantee that the at-fault insurer will accept liability and/or the
charges, in which case all the bills are in your name.
If you have
a road traffic accident which is not your fault and your car is made
un-roadworthy by the accident you are entitled to obtain a replacement vehicle
on a like for like basis. If you cannot afford to pay for repairs or a
replacement car "upfront" the Law allows you to obtain a replacement
vehicle on a Credit Hire basis. THIS IS NOT A COURTESY CAR.
We arrange
access to Credit Hire vehicles of all kinds Nationwide including plated Taxis,
Coaches and other specialist vehicles as well as what might be regarded as
standard vehicles.
You need to
be aware that Defendant Insurance Companies may seek to persuade you that you
should accept a car offered by them. Such cars are often not on a like for like
basis. The availability of the vehicle may be limited in time and may require a
deposit. They may also not include things like satellite navigation. There may
be issues about excesses and waivers and insurance cover, particularly if you
are a young driver or you have got a poor driving record. You should never
accept an offer of a replacement vehicle.
