Accident Car Hire Service
How To Get A Hire Car After An Accident

Had a non-fault vehicle car accident and need a temporary hire car? In this article, we will explain your options of getting a hire car after a non-fault car accident often at no cost to you or your insurance company. We cover the post-accident car hire rules, your entitlements, and the associated laws. This will enable you to assess your courtesy car / car hire eligibility after an accident. For drivers considering obtaining a courtesy hire car or credit hire vehicle after a non-fault car accident, this is important consumer information.

Accident Car Hire Services

When you’re involved in a non-fault car accident or your vehicle is damaged as a result of another party, you will likely require a non-fault car hire service. 

Should the accident damage have rendered your vehicle un-roadworthy, often the priority is how to get a temporary hire car to get back on the road. Services are available to most drivers at no cost, but it is important to understand the rules to ensure the service offered is suitable. Given each driver’s unique circumstances, understanding your basic temporary car hire / courtesy car entitlements is essential.

After a non-fault car accident, you may be surprised to discover there are many accident car hire services available to assist you. Many are offered at no cost to you or your insurance company. This is because, under English Tort law, you are entitled to claim the cost of a hire car, courtesy car, along with your vehicle damage and general losses, from the at-fault driver. The claim is made directly to the at-fault driver’s insurance company which avoids the need to claim on your policy.

Note, many car insurance companies offer excellent services after a vehicle accidents. These services will often be available not only from your car insurers, but also the insurers of the negligent driver. In addition you have the option to instruct an independent car hire / courtesy car services like ACC. We suggest drivers always research all their service options after an accident to find the most suitable service given their individual circumstances. 

Claiming Directly

Most insurance companies will offer a courtesy hire car and claims service, however many will require you to pay your policy excess first. In addition, insurers may increase your insurance premium upon renewal due to claiming. Whilst this is not always the case, it is very common. Claiming directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance company is the alternative, often better option. This is because it provides a cost-free claim solution, and should not affect your policy as no claim is made upon your policy. This can be done via a services ours, or as the non fault party you could contact the negligent drivers insurers directly. Many will be happy to assist you with suitable services and offer you a temporary vehicle throughout the vehicle claim process. To find out more it’s worth visiting the citizens advice website to view their content in relation to claiming after a non fault car accident. Alternatively you can contact ACC, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you in explaining our services and assess their suitability given your circumstances.

 Claiming Directly From The Negligent Drivers Insurance

Most at-fault insurers are happy to process claims of the non fault party directly. This is because it offers the fault insurer a route to reduce claim costs. This is done through efficient claim processing and making other claim savings, for example, It avoids the need to repay policy excess claims, as no policy excess is incurred. Insurers can also limit potentially excessive periods of car hire and their associated charges through swift vehicle claim processing. They may benefit from better daily hire car or courtesy rates. Or they may utilise their own vehicle repair network.  The direct claim route gives insurers the ability to process vehicle claims for vehicle write off, or repair, quickly and efficiently. As a result, there is a clear benefit to both you as the vehicle owner, and the at-fault insurer as a result of saved time and costs/

Note, your insurers may also be able to assist with claiming directly from the fault drivers insurance company, or independent service likes ours may also be an option worthy of consideration.

Claiming Car Hire After An Accident

To claim directly from the at-fault insurance company you can either contact the insurer directly or via a vehicle claim and courtesy hire car company like Accident Courtesy Car. Whichever route you decide upon to progress your vehicle claim and courtesy hire car request, you will be entitled to the courtesy hire car. The entitlement is from the point your car is un-roadworthy due to the accident. And remains until your vehicle damage claim is either settled, or your vehicle is repaired and returned to you.

Claiming a hire car after a non-fault accident is one of the most common claims made after a non-fault car accident. This is because people still have responsibilities and a clear requirement for a vehicle whilst their vehicle is off the road. As such, there is a simple process in place to ensure drivers can claim a hire car after the accident and until their vehicle claim is resolved. Insurance companies recognise the requirement and work to ABI (Association of British insurers) protocols with the use of vehicle credit hire, this makes the car hire claim straightforward to administer and is a simple process. 

Most car insures will offer these service so always consider all your options to find the most suitable services after a car accident.

Hire Vehicle Groups

All cars are grouped by the ABI, these vehicle groups have corresponding hire car categorise which essentially equate to what is commonly referred to as ‘like for like’ car hire provision. For example, a driver of a Ford Fiesta will be entitled to receive a Ford Fiesta courtesy hire car or vehicle of the same size and specification. The driver of a Mercedes-Benz S Class will be entitled and receive a Mercedes-Benz S Class or vehicle of the same group, a BMW 7 series for example. The only change in entitlement is perhaps found with older prestige vehicles, as they may drop a group after 6 years. However, drivers can still expect to receive a vehicle of the same size and specification regardless of their vehicles age. 

To find out more about your vehicles ABI group and your hire car entitlement, visit the ABI website, or contact a member of our team who will happy to give details of your vehicles group entitlement. 

Impartial Accident Car Hire Consumer Advice

For an alternative source of impartial consumer-focused information, you may wish to visit the UK governments citizens advice page on the subject of ‘non-fault car insurance claims’ or ‘accident car hire and credit hire services’. This is a great information resource to help inform you and ensure that you make the correct choice when selecting a courtesy hire car provider. Having impartial advice explaining where to go, who the regulatory authority is and knowing your consumer rights can save you money and time and potential hassle in future.

Need A Hire Car After An Accident?

If you have a clear need for a like for like courtesy hire car after an accident we will give you full details of the process ensuring you take the correct steps and receive a courtesy car the matches your requirement. We Deliver your courtesy hire car directly to your home address or place of work.

Did you know that if a driver is involved in a non-fault car accident with a correctly insured at-fault fault vehicle, you are entitled under UK ‘Tort Law’ to a suitable like for like courtesy hire car, at no cost, until your damaged vehicle claim is settled or a vehicle is fully repaired. 

Under Tort Law the at-fault driver’s insurance company are responsible to either provide or cover the cost of, a courtesy hire car after the accident and for the duration of time your vehicle is off the road. 

Note. Your car insures may also offer this service, always research your options to find the best vehicle hire or courtesy vehicle solution.

Accident Car Hire Service If Your Car Is Written Off

If your vehicle is written off as a result of the accident you are entitled to a courtesy hire car paid for by the third party insurance company (the at-fault driver’s insurance) until your vehicle claim is settled and cleared payment is made available to you. What is often referred to as a ‘courtesy car’ after a non-fault car accident, is in fact a courtesy hire car. As the car is chargeable, however, as you’re considered the non-fault party, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will pay for the courtesy car until your vehicle claim is settled, or your damaged vehicle is fully repaired.

Need An Accident Car Hire Service?

If you need a car hire service after an accident you have many options available. Post-accident car hire services provide like for like courtesy hire cars under ABI standards and in accordance with ABI vehicle group rates, meaning any ABI compliant provider can supply you with a courtesy hire car and the daily rates will be the same. This means you have a full choice when selecting an accident car hire service, leaving you to simply focus upon who can provide a suitable vehicle in the most timely and efficient manner.

Accident car hire service providers can be accessed directly and at no cost to you or your insurance company. You have full control over how your vehicle damaged vehicle claim is processed and who provides all associated services, such as post-accident car hire provision or who repairs your vehicle. Remember, the vehicle is your property, you decide how its damage claim is processed.

Many insurers will offer a courtesy hire car after a non fault car accident so always research your options to find the your best solution.

How Accident Courtesy Car Can Help

Accident Courtesy Car is open 24 hours a day and offers full nationwide UK service, with vehicles delivered to your home address or place of work we can help you today. We provide a courtesy hire car during your vehicle repair or during the time taken to claim your vehicle write off value. We can also process your vehicle damage claim, or vehicle repair, without the need to claim upon your policy. As a result, the service is cost-free and you have no excess to pay. Our team are ready to assist you 24 hours a day.

3 Ways To Get A Courtesy Hire Car After An Accident

3 Alternative ways to get a courtesy hire car without using your insurance company. 

(It should be highlighted that most insurers will offer courtesy hire car services to do research all your available options)

1. The At-Fault Drivers Insurance Company

Did you know that you can contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company directly to request a courtesy hire car if the accident was not your fault. This will not affect your insurance and it can be a straightforward way to get a courtesy hire car after a non-fault car accident. Many fault insurers are more than happy to assist you as it can mitigate their claim cost exposure.

2. An Independent Courtesy Hire Car & Vehicle Claims Company

You can use an independent company like ourselves, we claim all costs at standard ABI rates, directly from the at-fault insurance company. This gives you a hassle-free, cost-free direct way to claim whilst protecting your own policy. 

We provide a simple one-call service and arrange all services required, from post accident car hire, to vehicle claims and repairs.

ACC work quickly to process your vehicle claim and ensure that you receive a suitable courtesy hire car within 24 hours. We also ensure that your vehicle claim, or vehicle repair, is processed without delay and in line with your requirements. 

By ensuring all services required are provided quickly and efficiently enables your vehicle to be repaired and returned without delay. This also controls and reduced costs to the insurers, which is a benefit to all drivers.

3. Contacting A Manufacturer Approved Main Agent

Many vehicle manufacturers main dealer network branches offer extensive post accident services, especially in the event the damaged vehicle is repairable. Many new cars may have accident support services as part of the service package offered when purchasing a new vehicle. This can be great solution for obtaining a temporary vehicle, but also can ensure your vehicle is repaired at a manufacturer approved repair centre.

Get A Courtesy Hire Car From A Vehicle Accident Body Repair Centre

Many vehicle body repair garages provide courtesy hire cars after non-fault car accidents. Like most insurance companies, vehicle repair centres often have courtesy hire car providers they can appoint to provide their customers with a courtesy hire car after an accident. Some repair centres will even manage their own post-accident car hire fleet of courtesy hire cars. Their courtesy vehicles are often ready for customer use following a car accident (or during the repair process). However the downside to their service. Bodyshop courtesy vehicles are often small, standard group vehicles. They are not offered on a like for like basis, so this is not always ideal for everyone. 

Don’t Be Left Without A Courtesy Hire Car

Another issue often encountered with Bodyshop courtesy cars are vehicle repair status changes. In the event your vehicle is considered non-repairable write off following assessment, the repair garages will often request the return of their courtesy car. This is due to the garage not getting the repair work, and as a result, have no way to offset the cost of the courtesy vehicle. In this instance, drivers can still revert to an independent accident car hire provider like ACC or request a vehicle directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. 

Remember, should the accident not have been your fault, you are entitled to courtesy hire car after the accident and until your vehicle claim is settled. The cost is covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. 

Summary And Conclusion

If the accident was not your fault and involved another correctly insured at-fault vehicle you are entitled to a courtesy hire car at no cost to you or your insurance company. 

Your courtesy hire car entitlement is based upon English Tort Law, and the courtesy hire vehicle that you receive should be of a like for like standard. Meaning the courtesy hire car should be the same size and specification as that of your vehicle.

Whichever post-accident car hire service provider you consider best meets your requirement, ensure the company provides their courtesy hire vehicles in line with ABI protocols and associated daily hire vehicle rates. Whilst this is not essential it is advisable. It will ensure the ease of cost recovery from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This is because most UK insurance companies recognise ABI hire car rates as a universal industry standard rate.

Need Help With A Vehicle Claims Or Post- Accident Car Hire?

We offer full UK service nationwide, we are open 7 days a week, with our courtesy hire vehicles delivered directly to you. We also provide a no-cost alternative to claiming with your insurance company which protects your claims history and avoids unnecessary excess payment. If you need a courtesy hire car after a non-fault car accident are ready to Help