If you have been in a car accident that was not your fault and your vehicle is undrivable or being repaired, you may be entitled to a courtesy car. A courtesy car, sometimes called a credit hire car, allows you to maintain your mobility while your car is unavailable. This guide explains everything you need to know about obtaining a courtesy car if you have been the innocent victim of an accident.
What is a Courtesy Car?
A courtesy car, also known as a credit hire car, is a temporary rental vehicle provided to you free of charge by the at-fault driver’s insurance provider while your car is being repaired or written off after an accident. If another driver was responsible for the accident, their insurance should cover the cost of a replacement car for you during this disrupted period under the concept of credit hire.
The at-fault driver is legally responsible for any losses incurred from an accident where they were negligent. So if their negligence leaves you without transportation, they must provide a temporary car so you can carry on with activities like commuting to work and school, transporting family members, or running essential errands.
Eligibility for a Courtesy Car
To be eligible for a courtesy car, the accident must have been entirely or mostly the other person’s fault. Contributory negligence on your part may affect your eligibility or entitlements. Generally speaking, eligible situations include:
- The other driver ran a red light, stop sign, or giveway sign
- The other driver failed to yield the right of way
- The other driver ignored road markings or traffic lanes
- You were hit while legally and safely parked
- The other driver lost control of their car
Additionally, the following criteria must be met:
- You had valid car insurance at the time
- Your car was damaged and had to be repaired or written off
- You need a temporary replacement car during this downtime
In hit-and-run cases with no liable driver available, claimants’ repair costs and other losses should still be covered under their uninsured motorist protection.
How Long Can You Keep a Courtesy Car?
How long you’re entitled to having a temporary courtesy car depends on how long it reasonably takes to repair or replace your vehicle. International industry guidelines suggest an allowance of up to 21 days is appropriate for straightforward repairs. However, each case depends on its unique situation and complexity. Speak to your legal representative for case-specific guidance.
Some examples of situations that could reasonably justify longer courtesy car allowances if another party was liable to include:
- Delays in starting repair work due to garage workload
- Specialist repairs take longer than regular work
- Time needed to source affordable replacement parts
- Complex investigation procedures for disputed claims
- Delays relating to vehicle write-offs or total loss payouts
Getting a Courtesy Car After Your Accident
If you were the innocent victim of a car accident caused by another party, follow these key steps:
- Seek Medical Care: Your health and safety should be your priority. Even if you don’t think you were seriously injured in the accident, get checked out by a doctor as some symptoms can take time to manifest. Having a medical record of your injuries and any out-of-pocket treatment costs can also help strengthen a future claim.
- Report the Accident: Report the accident to the police right away or as soon as feasibly possible. Cooperate fully with officers and seek documented accident reports that may be valuable for claims and evidence.
- Notify Your Insurance Provider:
Alert your insurer about the accident right away as most policies obligate prompt notification for coverage protection. Help provide all relevant details. Ask what your policy does or does not cover and what documentation you may need from insurers or other parties. - Contact a Credit Hire Company Specialist: Credit hire firms focus specifically on the courtesy car process from start to finish. They maintain fleets of vehicles to loan out to eligible claimants and directly handle negotiations with negligent parties’ insurers. This can simplify the process compared to dealing directly with potentially resistant third-party insurance adjusters. They only charge fees if they successfully win compensation, adhering to “no win, no fee” rules.
- Arrange Courtesy Car Logistics: Once approved, the courtesy car company will deliver an appropriate temporary vehicle to your door or coordinate pickup from their depot. If your car was drivable between the accident and courtesy car arrangements being finalized, keep records of any transportation costs incurred in the meantime related to rental cars, public transport fees, or mileage racked up from borrowed vehicles.
- Return Once Your Car is Restored: Keep the courtesy company updated on the status of your car repairs or write-off payout delays. Return the temporary vehicle once you regain use of your car or have received funds to replace a written-off vehicle. Cases typically conclude with a successful payout by the liable driver’s insurer towards your credit hire company, enabling them to recover their vehicle costs.
Using Legal Representation
Pursuing credit hire compensation without professional legal help is very challenging due to the complexities of liaising with insurers. For the best chance of efficiently obtaining and retaining a courtesy car throughout repairs, specialist personal injury solicitors and credit hire claim companies provide vital expertise. Their no-win, no-fee services avoid upfront costs while their knowledge of negotiating optimal settlements benefits claimants.