Like For Like Courtesy Cars

Like For Like Courtesy Cars After Accidents

Had a non-fault vehicle car accident and want to obtain a like for like courtesy car? You have more options to obtain a courtesy than you may be aware of. 

After a non-fault car accident, you’re entitled to a ‘like for like’ courtesy car until your vehicle claim is settled. This page will explain the rules, consumer entitlements and the laws which provide a framework to like for like courtesy car eligibility after a non-fault car accident. We provide consumer information about your options for obtaining a courtesy car, and when a courtesy car/courtesy hire car should be avoided to protect drivers from a possible financial loss.

You have many available options to obtain a courtesy car/courtesy hire car after an accident that was not your fault, we help you make the correct choice of courtesy car service by providing impartial advice to highlight the advantages, and disadvantages, of the different service providers. It’s important to know where to get a courtesy car/courtesy car hire, and under which circumstances courtesy car/courtesy hire car services should be avoided.

Your Need For A Like For Like Courtesy Car / Courtesy Hire Car After An Accident

Firstly the question should be asked; Do you have a clear need for a like for like courtesy car?

This is important because if you are taking a courtesy car/courtesy hire car after a non-fault car accident, the courtesy vehicle provider will intend to recover the cost of the vehicle from the at-fault driver’s insurance company (via claim using Tort Law). This means you must have incurred a loss, in this case, the loss of use of a vehicle due to the accident. Due to this loss, the driver has a requirement for a courtesy car/courtesy hire car. For this loss to be successfully recovered, the courtesy car loss must be a justifiable incurred expense. Essentially you must have good reason to require a courtesy vehicle after the accident, and have no alternative cost fee options available to you (e.g. you do not have access to a second vehicle, or the funds to replace your vehicle without sustaining a further loss, needing a loan for example)

If you need a like for like courtesy vehicle there should be a good reason for the like for like requirement. For example, often the requirement is based upon practical reasons, a works van, a larger vehicle to perhaps accommodate a large family, or a prestige vehicle if the vehicle is used for business purposes. If you wish to successfully claim the cost of the vehicle from the at-fault insurance company there must be a clear requirement for the specific vehicle type, together with a clear courtesy vehicle requirement to begin with. 

If a driver takes a courtesy vehicle whilst they have access to other suitable vehicles at no cost, for example, an available second vehicle within the household, or a spare vehicle on a company fleet, these vehicles should be used rather than incurring the cost of a courtesy hire car. 

Our advice is to only accept a courtesy hire car if you have a clear and justified requirement for one, in doing so it will help to ensure the courtesy car/courtesy hire car costs are recovered without dispute.

How Do I Assess A Need For A Like For Like Courtesy Car / Courtesy Hire Car?

You may be asking ‘am I entitled to a like for like courtesy car or courtesy hire car?’ 

7 important questions to access your like for like, courtesy car entitlement. Consider the following questions, in the event you answer yes to all of them, then a like for like courtesy car may be a suitable option for you:

1. Was The Car Accident Not Your Fault?
2. Was Your Vehicle Correctly Taxed, MOT’ed And Insured At The Time Of The Accident?
3. Was The At-Fault Driver Correctly Insured?
4. You Have No Other Cars Or Access To Another Vehicle?
5. You Do Not Have Available Funds To Purchase A Replacement Vehicle Without Incurring Further Loss?
6. Did The Accident Happen In The UK With Another UK Insured Vehicle? 
7. Do You Have A Clear Need For A Like For Like Courtesy Car? 

If you answered yes to all the above questions you will (accident circumstances permitting) be entitled to a ‘like for like’ courtesy car/courtesy hire vehicle after your non-fault car accident. 

If any questions were answered no, there may still be circumstances in which you may be entitled to ‘like for like’ vehicle. Contact a member of our team who will help assess the circumstances and your courtesy car service suitability. They will help ensure you avoid any potential problems with the courtesy car/courtesy hire car provision and its cost recovery from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Does the Age Of My Vehicle Affect My Entitlement To A ‘Like For Like’ Courtesy Car After An Accident?

The rules relating to a vehicle’s age which dictate your vehicles eligibility to a ‘like for like’ courtesy car/courtesy hire car are very straightforward. 

Most insurance companies will expect these rules to be observed to enable them to settle claims for ‘like for like’ courtesy cars and courtesy hire vehicles. The rules are sensible, clear, and ensure drivers do not obtain courtesy vehicles of a higher group than that of their vehicle. Following these rules will avoid unacceptable costs being incurred resulting from incorrect courtesy vehicle allocation.

A vehicle’s age is a factor concerning courtesy car vehicle type allocation, to understand how this works, you must first understand the ABI hire vehicle group system.

All vehicles are allocated a corresponding ABI group. Each group is formed by vehicle standard, for example, Prestige Group Vehicles are ‘P Group’ or Sports Prestige are’SP’, Standard Group are ‘S’ and so on. Within these groups vehicles are listed in ascending numerical order, for example, S1-S6, with a small car listed as S1, whilst a larger standard vehicle will be an S6. The age of your vehicle is only relevant to your courtesy vehicle entitlement if your vehicle is a prestige/sports prestige group vehicle. All other groups can always expect a ‘like for like’ courtesy hire car, regardless of your vehicle’s age. Prestige and Sports Prestige vehicles generally only qualify as such for around 6 years, and thereafter drop a group before being classed as a standard vehicle. However, this does not apply to certain classic vehicles and extremely high-end prestige and performance vehicles.

To ensure the courtesy car your receive is billed correctly, check the ABI group listing of your vehicle, then check it against the courtesy hire car agreement provided to ensure they match. The agreement should always be presented to you upon delivery of the courtesy hire vehicle. 

The courtesy vehicle type provided to you is not always so important, often drivers are given upgraded vehicles beyond their entitlement due to courtesy fleet availability reasons. In these circumstances, they are simply charged at the correct lower group rates and are essentially a free upgrade. The problem is found if companies charge a higher rate than your vehicles group dictates, this situation should always be avoided.

Does An Older Car Qualify For A Like For Like Courtesy Car?

You must start with the age of your vehicles. The vehicle age is often the critical factor when accessing a vehicles eligibility to a like for like courtesy hire car, note this is often of greater importance with prestige vehicles. Prestige vehicles only retain their like for like courtesy vehicle access status up to 4 to 6 years of age. Thereafter they will often drop a vehicle group. After most prestige vehicles reach 8 years old, dependent upon the vehicle model, they may no longer qualify as prestige being classed thereafter as a standard group vehicle. This would result in a standard group vehicle being provided, albeit still of the same size and specification as the original vehicle, just a non-prestige vehicle. 

High Performance And Classic Cars Can Still Qualify For A Modern Equivalent Like For Like Courtesy Car

High-performance vehicles and classic vehicles are often outside of standard ABI vehicle groups and protocols, courtesy car and courtesy hire car providers will often agree on daily hire rates and the vehicle group is authorised with the fault drivers insurance company, ultimately, they will be responsible to cover the service cost so it’s good practice to keep them fully updated.

How Accident Courtesy Car Can Help You

We will help you with full details of the like for like courtesy car process, we ensure you that will receive a courtesy car that meets your requirement. 

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

Under Tort Law the at-fault driver’s insurance company are responsible to provide or cover the cost of a like for like courtesy hire car after the accident and for the duration of time, your vehicle is off the road. If your vehicle is written off as a result of the accident you’re entitled to a like for like courtesy hire car at the cost to the third party insurance company until your vehicle claim is settled and cleared payment is made available to you. Note what is often referred to as a ‘courtesy car’ after a non-fault car accident, is, in fact, a courtesy hire car. This is because the car is chargeable, however, due to the fact the at-fault insurance company will pay for the car until your vehicle claim is settled or your damaged vehicle is fully repaired, the vehicle is a courtesy vehicle from the perspective of the non-fault party.

Non-Fault Car Accident? Need A Like For Like Courtesy Car?

If you need a like for like courtesy car after an accident you have many options available to obtain a courtesy car/courtesy hire car. Courtesy cars are provided under ABI standard rates meaning any ABI compliant provider can supply a like for like courtesy car and the daily rates will be the same. This means you have a full choice when selecting the provider, simply select the service that can offer a suitable vehicle in the most timely and efficient manner possible.

The main courtesy hire car providers can be accessed directly, at Accident Courtesy Car we’re open 24 hours a day and offer full nationwide UK service, for customer convenience our courtesy vehicles are delivered to your home address or place of work. 

Alternative providers can be accessed via; your insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or you may be able to obtain a courtesy car via your chosen vehicle repair centre. 

Whichever courtesy car service provider you consider best meets your requirement ensure they are providing vehicles in line with ABI protocols and daily hire rates. This will ensure ease of courtesy hire car cost recovery from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

We offer full UK service open 7 days a week with 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.