Do you get a courtesy car after an accident




If you want to be provided with a courtesy car or hire car after an accident, there are a number of things to bear in mind.

  • A courtesy car is usually provided by the repairing garage, so you may only get one if you use the repairer specified by your insurer

  • You are likely to have a very limited choice of vehicles for your courtesy car – if any at all

  • Unless stated on your policy - you may not be guaranteed to get one

  • A ‘courtesy car’ is not the same as a ‘replacement vehicle’. A replacement vehicle is supplied by a hire-car company and they have a much wider choice of vehicles

  • Unless stated on your policy, your courtesy car ‘cover’ may stop if your vehicle is deemed a write-off

  • Courtesy cars may be included on your policy as ‘standard’ - but are more likely to be an ‘optional extra’

  • The length and type of use of your courtesy car may be quite restricted – check the terms of use on your policy


What can I do if I don’t have courtesy car cover or the car they offer is unsuitable?

Car Call and its partners provide an independent claims service to any driver involved in an accident that is not their fault.

We and our partners help thousands of people every year by providing accident related assistance regardless of the type of insurance cover they have and completely independently of any insurance company.

As part of our non-fault claims service, we don’t provide you with a ‘courtesy car’ – we provide you with a ‘comparable’ replacement hire car. If your vehicle turns out to be a write-off, you can continue to use your replacement for up to 7 days after you have received your settlement cheque.


What other assistance do you provide?

Anyone who has been involved in a road traffic accident where they were not at-fault is entitled to receive the help that they need to minimise the disruption to their lives and if necessary compensate them for the consequences of the accident.

Our independent claims service enables motorists to get the help that they need in terms of a replacement hire-car, repairs to their vehicle and legal assistance with accident related issues.

Because we and our partners recover the costs and charges associated with your accident directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer, it means that we and our partners can provide you with help that you need without a claim on your own insurance policy.

How our service benefits you: -

  • There is an alternative to a claim on your own insurance policy

  • You do not have to pay your insurance excess

  • Your no-claims bonus should not be affected

  • Your replacement vehicle is delivered to your home or place of work typically within 3 hours (if your vehicle is un-drivable) of accepting your claim

  • We arrange for your vehicle to be repaired at one of network of approved accident repair centres or at repair centre of your own choice

  • We can arrange legal assistance with the recovery of expenses, lost earnings and claims for personal injuries

  • Help and advice from our 24/7 help-line


If you have been involved in a non-fault accident, we may be able to. Call us on 02392 484 244 for expert help and advice.

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