Courtesy Car Rights And Entitlements

Courtesy Car Services Explained

UK drivers may be entitled to receive a courtesy car in a variety of different circumstances, this page will explain courtesy car rights and entitlements to help UK drivers access a courtesy vehicle efficiently. Courtesy car provision is predominantly supplied by 3 types of services: vehicle repair centres, car insurers, and accident courtesy car/ credit hire companies. Each of these services offers courtesy cars to drivers depending upon the circumstance of the request. Often vehicle repair companies offer courtesy cars as a supplementary service simply for customers convenience, as such they’re not an entitlement. In contrast, both insurance companies and post-non fault accident courtesy car / credit hire companies offer courtesy vehicles in line with drivers entitlements. UK drivers have the right to claim a courtesy car in the event they’re involved in a car accident that was not their fault involving a correctly insured negligent party. In this instance, drivers are entitled to claim the cost of a temporary courtesy car until their vehicle claim is settled.

Types Of Courtesy Car Companies:

You will find below full details of each type of courtesy car company, how to access their service, and in which circumstances they will be able to provide a courtesy vehicle.

Accident Courtesy Car Companies

Accident courtesy car companies provide UK drivers with temporary courtesy cars. In the event, a driver is involved in a non-fault vehicle accident, or their vehicle is damaged by their party, drivers are entitled to receive a courtesy vehicle until their vehicle claim is settled. Non-fault accident courtesy car companies provide a temporary courtesy vehicle during the claim process and claim the cost of the vehicle directly from the negligent parties insurance company. Drivers have the right to claim using Tort law, this law entitles the owner of the damaged vehicle to claim for any loss incurred as a result of the actions of the negligent party. 

Drivers are entitled to receive what is often referred to as a ‘like for like’ temporary replacement vehicle. This means the driver is entitled to receive a courtesy vehicle of the same size, standard and specification as that of their vehicle. The age of the drivers own vehicle can also be an influencing factor in determining the courtesy vehicle type.

Accident courtesy car / credit hire companies provide drivers with both a temporary courtesy vehicle and a claim service to recover the costs from the negligent parties insurers. Because the claim is processed directly against the negligent parties insurance company, no claim is made via the drivers own insurance company. As a result, drivers usually receive their courtesy vehicle at no cost to themselves or their vehicle insurers. Courtesy car / credit hire vehicles are claimed for using ABI standard hire rates and through GTA protocols. When combined these provide a framework of standards covering everything from daily rates for vehicle provision, and time frames of entitlement.

• Who is entitled: Any UK driver involved in a non-fault vehicle accident or sustain damage to their vehicle as a result of the actions of a negligent party. Driver age limits and insurance cover type do not affect their entitlement to a no-cost courtesy vehicle after a non-fault car accident. 
• Who pays for the service: The negligent parties insurance company will usually cover the cost of a temporary courtesy vehicle until the vehicle claim is resolved. However drivers are required to mitigate their losses, so all vehicle loss claims must be processed quickly end efficiently to guarantee the ease of courtesy car cost recovery.
• What type of vehicle is provided: Accident courtesy car companies provide courtesy vehicles on a like for like basis. This means drivers will receive a courtesy vehicle of the same size, standard and specification as that of their vehicle.
• How Long am I entitled to keep the courtesy car: After a non-fault accident, drivers are entitled to keep their courtesy car until this vehicle damage claim is settled. This can mean until the driver’s vehicle is fully repaired and returned to them. Or if the driver’s vehicle is a total loss, drivers are entitled to keep their courtesy vehicle until the driver’s total loss claim is settled and the agreed total loss value is paid out the funds are cleared.

 Need a courtesy car after an accident? Contact ACC for immediate assistance.

Courtesy Cars From Vehicle Repair Companies

Courtesy cars are often available from vehicle repair garages as both an incentive to attract new business, and for the convenience of their customers. 

Vehicle main dealer garages offering mechanical repairs will often provide a courtesy vehicle service. The courtesy vehicles provided by main dealer repair centres are not usually on a like for like basis however many will offer drivers a similar-sized vehicle to that of their own, and often of the same brand.

Car accident and vehicle body repair garages will often provide a courtesy car for use during the repair process. Vehicles supplied by vehicle body repair centres tend to be small (group A) type vehicles, however brand approved garages may offer similar sized vehicles to that of the drivers own vehicle

• Who is entitled: Most drivers aged over 21 can be offered a courtesy car from a repair garage or car accident repair centre. 

• Who pays for the service: The cost of courtesy vehicles supplied by repair centres is usually inclusive of the overall repair bill. However, some garages will charge an additional daily rate or insurance cover fee if a courtesy car is supplied. 

• What type of vehicle is provided: Usually a small group A vehicle is provided, however, some garages will offer a similar size vehicle to your vehicle. Vehicle type will depend upon each garages fleet type and availability at the time of repair. 

• How long am I entitled to keep the courtesy car: The driver will usually keep the vehicle until their vehicle is fully repaired. However, each garage will have its own courtesy car provision policy, always seek clarification with the vehicle provider directly.

Insurance Courtesy Car Companies

Car insurance companies may offer courtesy car services to their customers in various circumstances. Courtesy car provision via an insurance company is often defined by accident liability and vehicle repair status.

The most common instances an insurer will provide a courtesy car is in the event of their customer’s vehicles being damaged in an accident, a weather event or result of damage by a third party. Insurance companies may provide a courtesy regardless of the driver’s liability status. Access to a insurance courtesy car is often defined by the driver’s policy type and level of cover. Whilst any driver is entitled to a courtesy car after a non-fault accident, drivers considered to be liable for the accident will often only receive a courtesy car if they hold the appropriate level of cover. In addition to the level of cover, courtesy cars are usually only available to drivers if their damaged vehicle is repairable. If an accident damaged vehicle is considered a total loss, no courtesy car is usually provided. Drivers can purchase a ‘before the event’ guaranteed courtesy car policy which gives drivers access to a courtesy vehicle regardless of liability or repair status. These policies will often be limited to 14 days of vehicle provision only. However, in contrast to this courtesy vehicle entitlement can vary between the various insurers and their polices. Some policies provide a courtesy vehicle or credit hire vehicle in the event of a non fault accident resulting in a total loss (write-off). This is usually only if the accident have involved a suitably insured negligent party and liability is established. Always consult your insurer for clarification of your temporary vehicle entitlements.

Fully comprehensive insured drivers can expect to receive a courtesy car regardless of their accident liability status if their vehicle is repairable. In the event of a total loss they will usually only be entitled to a courtesy car until their car is declared a total loss. (but not always to clarification should always be sort from the insurer)

Third-party insured drivers can expect a courtesy vehicle in the event of a non-fault car accident. If all other circumstances no courtesy car provision is usually available.

• Who is entitled: Fully comprehensive drivers are usually entitled to a courtesy car in the event of an accident and regardless of their accident liability. They are usually entitled to a courtesy car in the event of damage caused by a third party or weather event if their vehicle is repairable. If their vehicle is deemed a total loss no courtesy car is usually provided. The third-party insured drivers are usually only entitled to a courtesy car in the event of a non-fault vehicle accident or damaged sustained by a correctly insured negligent party.
• Who pays for the Service: Insurance courtesy cars are usually paid for by the claiming against the policy is courtesy car cover is included. Insurance courtesy car service can also claim the courtesy car cost in the event of the driver’s vehicle damage being sustained as a result of the negligence of a third party. 
• What type of vehicle is provided: Courtesy car vehicle type is defined by the level of insurance cover and policy type, the driver’s liability status in relation to an accident, and the damaged vehicles repair status.
• How long am I entitled to keep the courtesy car: Drivers involved in non-fault car accidents will usually keep their courtesy vehicle until their vehicles damage claim is settled. For fault accidents and claims against their policy, a courtesy vehicle is usually supplied throughout the vehicle repair process, however, if their vehicle is a total loss no courtesy car is offered.

 Involved In A Non Fault Vehicle Accident? The Negligent Drivers Insurance Many Provide A Temporay Courtesy Car / Hire Veheicle.

Credit Hire Companies

Credit hire companies offer a form of courtesy vehicle to drivers who have had their vehicle damage due to the negligence of another party. The most common incidents that credit hire companies deal with are drivers involved in non-fault vehicle accidents, however, they can also assist in the event a vehicle is damaged as a result of a correctly insured negligent party. 

Credit hire is often considered a form of courtesy car provision as the driver who receives a credit hire vehicle will not usually pay for the service. This is because the negligent party, and specifically their insurers, are responsible to cover the cost of the temporary vehicle until they have settled the driver’s vehicle claim. There are conditions to this type of service to ensure it is suitable. Some example of these may be as follows. To ensure liability is established in the drivers favour, or will easily be established. Financial funds are not readily available to replace, or repair the damaged vehicle. Other vehicles are not available to the driver, for example second vehicles, company cars or other vehicles. Always ready the terms and conditions of any courtesy car / credit hire agreement to ensure it is suitable given an individuals specific circumstances.

• Who is entitled: Any licensed UK driver, regardless of age or insurance cover type, who sustains damage to their vehicle due to the negligence of a third party. Drivers involved in non-fault car accidents with a traced third party vehicle.
• Who pays for the Service: The negligent party, and specifically their insurance company, are usually responsible to cover the cost of the courtesy vehicle until the driver’s vehicle claim is settled and paid out.
• What type of vehicle is provided: Credit hire companies should provide a like for like courtesy / credit hire vehicle. This means a vehicle of the same size, standard and specification as the driver’s own vehicle. This includes all vehicle types, from standard cars to sports and prestige vehicles. Credit hire companies also provide motorbikes, plated taxi’s, vans and commercial vehicles. The age of the drivers own vehicle effects the vehicle type a driver may be entitled to.
• How long am I entitled to keep the courtesy car: Credit hire companies will supply drivers with a suitable courtesy vehicle from the time their vehicle is classed as un-roadworthy. The driver will usually keep the courtesy car / credit hire vehicle until their own is vehicle is fully repaired or the total loss value is paid out. 

Frequently Asked Courtesy Car Questions:

Who Is Entitled To A Courtesy Car

Who is entitled to a courtesy car is dependent upon the courtesy car service type. As a rule, if the courtesy car requirement is a result of a non-fault car accident then any licensed UK diver is entitled to receive a courtesy car during the vehicle claim process. If the requirement is a result of a vehicle breakdown or mechanical fault, courtesy car provision is offered at the discretion of the repair centre subject to the service offering. Vehicle breakdowns and mechanical faults will generally not result in there being any cost liability to a negligent party, as a result, drivers do not usually have any entitlement to a courtesy car in this instance.

Am I Entitled To A Courtesy Car After An Accident? 

Any licensed UK driver considered not at fault for an accident that involved a correctly insured third party are entitled to receive a courtesy car. The driver’s age and car insurance cover type do not have any effect upon their courtesy car entitlement.

Am I Entitled To A Courtesy Car During A Vehicle Repair?

If the vehicle repair relates to a car accident then any fully comprehensive insured driver should be entitled to a courtesy car during the period of repair. If the repair is the result of the driver’s negligence they may be required to pay a policy excess to have access to a courtesy car. The repair is a result of a non-fault accident both fully comprehensive and third party insured driver they are entitled to a courtesy car during the repair period.

If the vehicle repair is a result of mechanical fault or breakdown, drivers can obtain a courtesy car during the repair period and should select a repair garage that offers a suitable service. Drivers should note there are no entirely free courtesy car services, like most things in life, all services are ultimately provided at a cost.

Do UK Drivers Have A Right To Receive A Courtesy Car?

 All UK licensed drivers have the right to request a temporary replacement vehicle/courtesy car if they are involved in a non-fault car accident. The courtesy car entitlement is based upon progressing a claim for a temporary vehicle through the use of Tort law. In the case of a non-fault accident, a Tort claim for negligence is directed to the insurer of the negligent party. As a result of this claim, the insurer is liable to cover the reasonable cost of a temporary courtesy car. They remain liable to cover the cost of the claimants courtesy car throughout the vehicle claim process and until the financial settlement is made to the claimant.

For further courtesy car information contact a member of our team. Discover further courtesy car information throughout our website. Alternatively for independent information of courtesy cars visit the citizens advice website. For drivers requiring a courtesy vehicle they may want to investigate other options for provision with may include among others: Their insurers. A  suitable vehicle repair centre with a courtesy car services. A vehicle manufacturer main agent that offer courtesy car services. The insurers of a negligent party may offer courtesy car services. Drivers club memberships and others.