Does your insurer provide a courtesy car after an accident?




You may want to check your car insurance policy because if you don’t have any replacement vehicle or just a courtesy car, you need to realise the difference between a hire-car and a ‘courtesy car’.


But what’s the difference between a ‘courtesy car’ and a hire-car?

These are both vehicles that are ‘on loan’ to you but they are actually completely different.

Courtesy cars: -

  • Are not ‘standard’ on all policies you may not get one at all on a very basic policy

  • May only be offered to you if your vehicle is being repaired at an ‘insurer approved garage’

  • Are likely to be limited to small hatchbacks or saloon vehicles with little or no choice

  • May be taken back from you if your vehicle is a total loss, ie. a ‘write off’

  • You may not get a courtesy car at all if the garage does not have one available



Hire cars: -

  • Can be available to you from the start of your claim to the end

  • Can be a comparable replacement for your own vehicle

  • Can be available to use after a total loss settlement (only by us)

  • Will be an added cost to your car insurance policy



Get a hire-car with our independent non-fault claims service

If you were not responsible for the accident you were involved in, our independent claims service enables you to get a comparable replacement hire car if yours is un-roadworthy and/or being repaired.

If your vehicle is deemed a total loss or ‘write off’, you can use your replacement vehicle for up to 7 days after the receipt of your settlement cheque.

We will deliver your replacement vehicle to your home or place of work, typically within 3 hours (if your vehicle is un-drivable) of accepting your claim.

Our non-fault claims service also includes the following benefits:

  • An alternative to a claim on your own car insurance policy

  • Costs and charges are recovered directly from the at-fault drivers insurer on your behalf

  • No excess to pay and your no-claims discount should not be affected

  • A comparable replacement for your car if it is un-roadworthy and/or being repaired

  • We arrange the repairs for your car at an approved accident repair centre

  • Your repairs can alternatively be carried out at a garage of your own choice

  • Legal assistance can be arranged for all your accident related issues

  • Our 24/7 help line is available for all your claim enquiries



To get free help and assistance with your accident claim, call us on 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

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