Many of us depend heavily on cars, especially if we live in a rural area or a location with few public transport facilities. Luckily, many insurance companies will offer you a standard courtesy car after an accident so that you can continue to stay on the road. At the same time, your vehicle is being repaired.
Replacement vehicle eligibility includes all types of vehicles, from cars, motorbikes, PCO, and commercial vehicles according to your needs. Drivers usually remain eligible to keep the replacement vehicle until their repair claims are settled. Same day after the accident replacement vehicle is available.
Replacement Vehicle
A replacement vehicle is a vehicle that the supplier provides to the hirer when his vehicle becomes undrivable due to damage or theft. Suppliers have different terms and conditions for providing a replacement vehicle.
Replacement Vehicle Through Credit Hire
Replacement vehicles are often provided to drivers through credit hire by credit hire organizations. The temporary credit hire vehicle charges are recovered from the at-fault driver insurance company, often in accordance with the GTA standard replacement vehicle agreement.
Eligibility for a Replacement Vehicle
In the UK, entitlement for a replacement vehicle often depends on the type of vehicle, PCO, private hire, and circumstances like accident, new car purchase, or the MOT.
General requirements for the vehicle:
- Vehicle Mileage & Age: Some vehicles, used as PCO, taxis or private hire cars, have age and mileage restrictions, for example, 4 years old or less, 55,000 miles.
- Vehicle Emission: Vehicles must meet the emission standards like Euro 6 or its equivalent.
- Capacity Range: The private hire cars must have a capacity to transport at least 4 passengers.
- Vehicle Class Approval: Vehicles need to meet specific standards through Individual Vehicle Approval, also called IVA, or by Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval, MSVA.
- Valid MOT: Vehicles need to be taxed and have a valid vehicle MOT.
- Insurance Cover: You must have an insurance policy cover before you can drive your vehicle.
- Vehicle Registration: You need to register your vehicle with DVLA.
Replacement Vehicle after a Fault Accident
In the UK, if you are involved in a faulty road traffic accident, you are automatically entitled to a replacement vehicle through your insurance company. Still, you might be entitled if you have comprehensive insurance coverage or if your car is declared a total loss.
Non-Fault Accident Replacement Vehicles
Non-fault accident replacement vehicles are available should you not have been liable for the accident. Replacement vehicles are available through credit hire companies and hire vehicle services. They are claims from the faulty driver’s insurance as part of the loss caused by the road accident. You may be eligible for a replacement vehicle after an accident, regardless of your insurance covers.
Types Of Replacement Vehicles
There are many services available to help drivers with temporary replacement vehicles after a road accident. The key to acquiring these facilities is based on the accident circumstances and who was liable for causing the road collision. Determining liability at an initial stage will clarify which replacement car service is suitable. Non-fault road traffic accident replacement car services are very different from at-fault accident services; this is due to the non-fault driver is able to claim the replacement vehicle charges from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In contrast to this, a party considered at fault for the accident usually has no opportunity to claim losses and costs. Therefore, the at-fault driver has limited choice.
When Am I Entitled to Get a Replacement Vehicle?
You are entitled to get a replacement vehicle and compensation if you have been involved in a non-fault road accident. In this scenario, a faulty driver has to pay all for your loss in the compensation sum. Even though insurers provide compensation or replacement vehicle facilities to non-faulty drivers, dealing with their claims is time-consuming and challenging.
On the other side, you can ask for a replacement vehicle through an insurance provider for accidents only within the timeframe of 24 to 48 hours after an accident. Unfortunately, you might not get a comparable replacement vehicle if you proceed with the claim through an accident management company. The accident management companies are responsible for providing comparable replacement vehicles and compensation services through their solicitors.
Claiming for the Vehicle Damages
You are entitled to claim for a replacement vehicle while you wait for your vehicle to be repaired. This is called loss not insured, which is not covered by your insurance policy; if you have third-party cover, you only have cover for vehicle damage that is your fault, so any other losses are uninsured losses.
Some insurance provides courtesy vehicles to assist you in getting back on the road for daily activities. However, it’s important to keep in mind that no one is eligible for one by default. Courtesy cars may be included as a feature of a comprehensive insurance cover, but even then, there may be rejection. For example, some insurance only offers a courtesy vehicle if your vehicle is damaged, but is repairable. So, if your vehicle is damaged and is beyond repair, you may not be entitled to a courtesy vehicle through your insurers.
This is different from a credit hire vehicle, which is provided to you by the credit hire company on a non-fault basis, but the cost is recovered from the at-fault driver.
Obtaining a replacement hire car through a third-party claims company allows you to get a hire vehicle that is paid for by third-party insurance so that you can stay on the road in a vehicle like your own vehicle.
Looking For Replacement Vehicle After an Accident?
If you are looking for a replacement vehicle after an accident, Accident Claims Assist can assist you today. We can offer an alternative to claiming a courtesy vehicle with your insurance company. The benefit of claiming a replacement vehicle via a claims management company is that you have no policy excess to pay. You are assured of receiving a replacement vehicle according to your requirements and needs, usually until your write-off vehicle claim is settled or the vehicle is repaired.
