Will my insurance let me use my hire-car after a write off?




If you have been in a car accident and your vehicle is a ‘write off’ or ‘total loss’, your insurer may not allow you to use their hire-car after your final settlement.

Once you have received your settlement cheque that is the end of the claim as far as they are concerned.

If the accident you were involved in was not your fault and you believe your vehicle is likely to be a write-off, making your claim independently using our non-fault claims service will ensure you can keep the hire-car we provide for up to 7 days after you receive your settlement cheque from us.


Why thousands of drivers every year use our independent non-fault claims service

We and our partners help thousands of UK drivers every year by arranging their vehicle repairs and providing quality comparable replacement hire cars to use during the repair process.

All without a claim on your own car insurance.

There are two key disadvantages to making non-fault claims on your car insurance.

  • You will probably be required by your insurer to pay your excess up-front before your vehicle is repaired.

  • The annual cost of your car insurance policy will almost certainly go up as a direct result of your non-fault claim.



Our independent claims service enables you to get the assistance you need – but without the disadvantages of using your own insurer.


Does this cost me anything?

We and our partners organise the vehicle recovery, an independent repair estimate, your repairs at an approved accident repair centre, your replacement hire-vehicle and legal assistance.

When everything is complete and you are happy with the repairs to your car – we and our partners recover the costs involved directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer.

So you don’t make a claim on your insurance and everything is resolved.


Won’t I have to tell my insurer?

Your claims advisor will report the accident to your insurer for you. It will be reported to them ‘for information purposes only’ which means that they will not be required to provide you with any assistance.

This protects your policy from another claim on your history, your next insurance premium should not be affected in any way.


We provide a wide range of assistance

The services we provide are shown below: -

  • An independent automotive engineer will assess the damage to your vehicle

  • We deliver a quality comparable replacement hire-car for you to use whilst yours is repaired

  • Your replacement will be delivered to your home or workplace typically within 3 hours (if your vehicle is un-drivable) of starting your claim

  • We will organise the repairs to your vehicle at one of our approved accident repair centres, or at a repairer of your own choice

  • Your vehicle is repaired according to your manufacturers specifications and to your satisfaction

  • We can arrange legal assistance with issues such as recovery of expenses or help with a compensation claim

  • We and our partners recover the costs associated with your claim, directly from the insurer of the at-fault driver

  • You receive 24/7 support and assistance with all aspects of your claim



To find out how we can help you, call 02392 484 244 and we will get everything sorted for you!

Any policyholder can use this service, and it is your legal right to choose who repairs your vehicle. All assistance offered and information given on this page is provided by Car Call and its partners , no association or affiliation to any particular insurer is intended in any way, and your statutory rights are unaffected. `


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury