Replacement Vehicle Options
If your vehicle is unusable following an accident, an appropriate temporary vehicle may be available while yours is being assessed, repaired or settled, subject to eligibility and agreement terms.
Staying Mobile After an Accident
Losing access to your vehicle can affect commuting, childcare, appointments and business operations.
Depending on the claim route, insurance cover and accident circumstances, you may have access to either:
- A courtesy car under your own insurance policy
- A hire vehicle paid for directly
- A replacement vehicle provided through an accident-management arrangement
- Alternative reasonable transport expenses
These options are not identical. The provider, vehicle type, costs, duration and customer responsibilities can differ significantly.
Courtesy Car vs Credit-Hire Replacement
Courtesy Car
Usually provided by: Your own insurer or its approved repairer.
Based on: Your motor insurance policy wording.
Vehicle type: Often a small standard car unless enhanced cover was purchased.
Duration: Determined by the policy and repair circumstances.
Costs: Governed by the policy, excess and cover terms.
Credit-Hire Replacement Vehicle
Usually provided by: An accident-management or hire company.
Based on: A separate hire agreement outside your own motor policy.
Vehicle type: May be similar to your own vehicle where justified and available.
Duration: Normally linked to the reasonable repair or settlement period.
Costs: The provider normally seeks recovery from the party considered responsible or their insurer.
Important risk: Recovery of the charges is not guaranteed, and the customer may have obligations under the agreement if charges are disputed or cannot be recovered.
What Determines Eligibility?
Liability
There should usually be reasonable evidence that another identifiable party was responsible.
Need
You may be asked why a temporary vehicle is required and whether you have reasonable access to another suitable vehicle.
Vehicle Condition
Your own vehicle must normally be unavailable because it is unsafe, undergoing assessment, being repaired or treated as a total loss.
Vehicle Type
The replacement should be appropriate to your genuine needs rather than automatically matching every specification of your own vehicle.
Cooperation
You may need to provide information and assist with reasonable attempts to recover the hire charges.
Additional Information
What Vehicle Could Be Provided?
Subject to circumstances and availability, options may include:
- Small hatchback
- Family car
- Automatic car
- Estate vehicle
- Seven-seat vehicle
- Light commercial van
- Adapted or specialist vehicle
- A broadly comparable prestige vehicle where appropriately justified
Do not promise a “like-for-like” vehicle on every claim. Most motor policies do not automatically promise a replacement of the same make, model or standard, and enhanced or specialist requirements depend on the relevant cover and circumstances.
Your Responsibilities
Customers should:
- Read the agreement fully
- Check the daily hire rate
- Understand who is responsible for charges
- Confirm insurance arrangements
- Keep mileage reasonable
- Look after the vehicle
- Report damage immediately
- Cooperate with the recovery process
- Tell the provider when their own vehicle is available
- Return the vehicle promptly when instructed
- Avoid extending the hire period unnecessarily
Questions to Ask Before Signing
Use this as an orange checklist infographic:
- Is this a courtesy car or credit-hire vehicle?
- Who is providing the vehicle?
- What is the daily hire rate?
- Who pays if the third-party insurer disputes the charges?
- Is additional insurance required?
- Is there a mileage limit?
- What is the fuel policy?
- What excess applies if the replacement vehicle is damaged?
- When must it be returned?
- What happens if liability changes?
- Is there cancellation cover or another protection product?
- What information must I provide later?
Need Vehicle Recovery Now?
Whether you’ve broken down, been involved in an accident or need a vehicle transported, Recova is ready to help. Call our team now for fast, professional vehicle recovery across Burnley, Lancashire and the surrounding areas.
