Will I get a courtesy car while my car is being repaired

Courtesy car, hire car and credit hire are not the same thing

These three terms get used loosely but describe different arrangements. A courtesy car is typically a basic vehicle a repairer may be able to lend you while your car is being worked on, often at their discretion and depending on availability. A hire car is a vehicle rented through a hire company, sometimes arranged and paid for as part of an insurance policy. Credit hire is a specific arrangement, usually following a non fault accident, where a replacement vehicle is provided on credit and the cost recovered from the at fault driver's insurer later.

When a policy provides a replacement vehicle

Whether you are entitled to a replacement vehicle during a repair depends entirely on your policy. Some comprehensive policies include courtesy car cover as standard, others offer it as an optional extra, and some do not include it at all. It is worth checking your policy documents or asking your insurer directly rather than assuming cover exists.

Typical restrictions to be aware of

• Class of vehicle: courtesy cars are often a small, basic model rather than a like for like replacement of your own car.
• Insurance cover: you will usually need to check whether you are covered to drive the courtesy car under your own policy or a separate arrangement provided by the repairer or insurer.
• Mileage limits: some arrangements cap how many miles you can drive the replacement vehicle before charges apply.
• Availability: even where cover exists, a specific vehicle may not always be available exactly when your car goes in for repair.
• Duration: cover is often limited to the expected repair time, with extra time potentially chargeable if the repair overruns for reasons outside the arrangement.

Comparing the options

Non fault claims and replacement vehicles

If the accident was not your fault, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle as part of recovering your losses from the at fault driver's insurer, sometimes arranged through a credit hire company. This can provide a more comparable vehicle to your own, but it comes with the trade offs around cost recovery discussed in our guide to non fault accident repairs, so it is worth reading that alongside this page.

Questions to ask before booking your car in

1. 01Ask your insurer whether courtesy or hire car cover is included in your policy, and under what conditions.
2. 02Ask the repairer what can realistically be arranged for your specific repair, since availability and options vary.
3. 03Ask what insurance applies if you drive a courtesy or hire vehicle, and whether you need to arrange anything yourself.
4. 04Ask about mileage limits and what happens if the repair takes longer than expected.
5. 05If pursuing credit hire, ask what you would be liable for if the at fault insurer disputes any part of the bill.

What we can tell you

We cannot promise a courtesy car as a guaranteed part of every repair, since it depends on your policy, the claim and what is available at the time. What we can do is talk through what might realistically be arranged for your particular car and repair when you get in touch, so ask us directly rather than assuming either way.