Courtesy Car Rights: What You’re Owed After a Crash

If your own car has to be taken off the road because of a collision or theft, a courtesy vehicle, sometimes called a loaner car or temporary replacement vehicle, can help you stay on track with your daily routine with minimal disruption. This guide will show UK drivers when you may get a courtesy car and when you may not. You will be able to see how insurance policy wording works and what makes a courtesy car different from a hire car. We will also cover your responsibilities when you use a temporary replacement vehicle, and what steps you must follow to get one. You will find tables in this guide that you can use for PPC/DSA landing pages or for customer emails. As you read this, think about comparing car insurance, because different insurance providers may have different coverage limits and offer different things.

Will I receive a courtesy car if the accident was my fault?

• A comprehensive car insurance policy in the UK often gives you a courtesy car if your own car is at a repair garage and being fixed. You get a courtesy car if the accident was your fault or not, but you only have it while repairs are happening. If your own car is stolen or written off, you do not get a courtesy car unless you have Hire Car cover or something like Guaranteed Hire Car added to your insurance policy.
• With third party or TPFT car insurance, you do not get a standard courtesy car. Some companies let you buy add-on cover so you can get a temporary replacement.

Key point: Even if you get full cover, a courtesy car is only given if it is at the repair shop. The offer can also depend on the level of cover you pick in your plan. The use of a courtesy car will be set by what is in your plan.

What is the difference between a courtesy car and a hire car?

A courtesy car is a basic loaner you use when your own car needs to be fixed. A hire car can be added to your plan, so you get it if your car is stolen or can’t be used anymore. Credit hire aims to give you a car that is similar to your own, but you get it only in clear cases where you are not at fault. So, these options help people when their own car is out of use, for a short time or longer. A courtesy car is provided as a simple fix while your own car is in repair, and a hire car steps in if your problem is bigger, like theft or major damage.

How do I make sure I’m covered for a courtesy car before an accident occurs?

1. Check your schedule: Look to see if it says “courtesy car service”, “courtesy car coverage”, “hire car cover”, or “Guaranteed Hire Car”. These might be on your car insurance plan.
2. Confirm the conditions: See if you have to use an approved repair shop to get the courtesy car. Check for any exclusions, like if windscreen-only claims are not covered. There could also be a limit on how long you get the hire car, or the type of car you get after an accident.
3. Decide on add-ons: If you need to use a car for things such as delivery jobs or looking after someone, you may want to add temporary replacement or hire car cover as an upgrade to your car insurance.
4. Compare car insurance: The price you pay for car insurance can get you very different cover. Some car insurance brands only give you a small courtesy car, while some let you upgrade the type of car or class you get as a hire car.

What conditions must be met to qualify for a courtesy car?

Typical eligibility means:

This is about who can apply or take part in something. It shows what rules there are. So, you need to fit these rules to be able to get or do what is offered.

• Your car insurance needs to be active at the time the problem happens.
• You often have to use the insurer’s listed repairers, but sometimes you do not need to.
• A valid driver’s license is needed, and you must meet age rules they have. If you damage the loaner car, you must pay the excess they say.
• A courtesy car is given if one is ready at the repair garage.
• The problem must be inside your insurance coverage rules. It cannot be for things your policy does not cover.
• If your car is taken or there is a full loss, you will need a hire car extra. A simple courtesy car choice may not cover this case.

Are courtesy cars usually the same size and type as my own vehicle?

Usually, the answer is no. A standard courtesy car is not like your own car. It is often a small hatchback. People will get this typical “Class A/B” car. If you need another type of car, you have to look for a new car or a hire car with more seats, maybe seven. You can also check if the car has ADAS. To get these, you must ask for a Guaranteed Hire Car up to the class limit or non-fault credit hire. Look in your policy. See what type of car they will give to you. Make sure you know which courtesy car you will get. You want to be ready and have the right courtesy car.

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How long can I keep a courtesy car?

• Courtesy car during repair: You can take a courtesy car to use while the repair shop works on your own car. The courtesy car needs to be given back once your car is fixed or if your car is written off.
• Hire car add-on: A hire car can be given to you for a set period of time. The plan or schedule will show the exact duration.
• Non-fault credit hire: You may use this hire car for as long as you need. This depends on how you are involved in the claims steps and making sure you do not raise the loss of use cost without good reason.

What are my responsibilities while using a courtesy car?

Even a loaner car comes with rules. Expect to:

• Follow the T&Cs for the courtesy vehicle. Do not let other people drive it unless they are allowed. You cannot use the courtesy car to make money.
• Fuel & fines: you have to pay for fuel. You also must pay for tolls, parking tickets, bus lane fines, and congestion charges.
• Keep it roadworthy: check the tyres and lights often. Tell them about problems right away. If you see warning lights on the dashboard, do not ignore them.
• Security: lock the courtesy car each time you leave it. Do not leave the keys where someone can find them. Take your things out of the car.
• Usage limits: there may be limits on miles or places where you can take this courtesy vehicle. If you need to use it for business, ask the insurer or repair garage first.
• Accidents in the courtesy car: if there is an accident, tell them as soon as it happens. You might have to pay the policy excess—check your info.
• Return on time: take the courtesy car back to the repair garage or insurer when they say. If you are late, there may be extra charges.

If I’ve had an accident, how can I get a courtesy car through my insurance?

1. Tell your insurance company about the claim as soon as you can.
2. Ask the insurance company if you can book your car at a repair garage. Confirm with them if you get a courtesy car cover at this time.
3. Check which type of car is ready for you then. If you want, ask if it can be an auto or a manual car.
4. When you go for your car service or drop your car, bring your ID, your valid driver’s license, and a card for paying any deposit.
5. Keep in touch with your insurer if there are delays. If they do not have the right parts yet, talk about other hire car choices with them.

Tip: If you are not the one who caused it, talk to the insurer about credit hire. You may get a car like yours. You need to help get the costs back from the insurer that caused it.

What should I do if my insurer or garage can’t provide a courtesy car?

• Ask why this happened. There may not be any stock. It may not be an approved repair. There may also be policy exclusions.
• Check your schedule. See if you have hire car cover, Roadside Plus, or any upgrades that offer a temporary replacement vehicle.
• If this is a non-fault route, you may get a credit hire when it is clear to see who is at fault.
• For interim options, you can agree to use taxis or public transport when they allow it. Be sure to keep all your receipts.
• If their approved network cannot give the stated benefit, you can escalate this with your insurer.

Is a courtesy car automatically included with UK car insurance?

Not all car insurance policies include a courtesy car. Most of them give a basic courtesy car service if you get comprehensive cover, but what you get will be different from one policy to another. A hire car or hire car cover helps you when your car is stolen or written off. This is often only available for set times, and will usually cost more. So, before you renew, always compare car insurance plans and check the benefits table. This makes sure you know what the policy will give you and what the extra cost is for the courtesy car or courtesy car service.

Courtesy car vs hire car vs “guaranteed hire” at a glance

Always check your own schedule to know what you have been told you will get.

Dealership “service appointment” loaners vs insurance courtesy cars

A dealership can give you a loaner car for warranty repairs, an oil change, or car service. This courtesy car program is not included in your insurance coverage. The dealership uses its own cars and has its own rules for giving a loaner.

If you need a courtesy car after an accident, it will come from your insurer or from their repair network, not from the warranty team at the dealership. Try not to mix up these two types of courtesy cars.

What kind of courtesy car will I get?

You can expect to get a standard courtesy car. Most of the time, the type of car you get will be a small hatchback. This kind of car is good for people who have basic mobility needs. If you need something more, like automatic transmission, special hand controls, child-seat ISOFIX points, or extra space for your equipment, let your insurer know early. They will talk with the repairers, and both will try to find a courtesy car that fits your needs if possible. But, your policy usually says you get “a small hatchback” or “equivalent class,” so you might not get the exact model you want.

Courtesy car responsibilities checklist (print-friendly)

• Read the loan paper to find out the coverage limits for the courtesy car.
• Check to see what excess you have to pay if the courtesy car gets any damage.
• Add named drivers only when the insurer says it is okay.
• Pay for the fuel. Make sure the car is clean and does not get damaged.
• Keep the keys safe. Lock the car when you are not using it.
• Follow any limits on how far and where you can drive the courtesy car.
• Tell them right away if there is any accident or theft.
• Bring the car back on the date and time you agreed on, and return all the documents.

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Common exclusions and pitfalls

• Using the car for hire/reward means you use the courtesy car to do delivery jobs or give rides for money, like food delivery or ride-hailing. The car is only meant for social trips or going to work.
• Driving abroad is when you take the courtesy car outside the country without telling the provider. A lot of times, insurance for driving overseas is not part of the deal.
• Unauthorised drivers is about someone who is not on the loan papers using the courtesy car. Only those named can drive it.
• Modifying the courtesy car or using it to tow something is not allowed if you do not get permission first.
• Late return happens when you bring the courtesy car back after your own car is ready. It should be returned on time.
• Assuming like-for-like is when you think you will get a courtesy car like your own car, but you may only get a small car instead.

PPC/DSA copy blocks you can reuse

• Get a courtesy car when you have a comprehensive policy. Know your rights before you put in a claim.
• Was your car stolen or too badly damaged to fix? Add hire car cover, so you can keep driving with a hire car.
• If a crash is not your fault, ask about credit hire. You can get a car just like your own, so you can still go to work.
• Look for car insurance policies that make clear promises about a courtesy car. Compare car insurance now to find the best option.

Example decision table (fault vs non-fault)

FAQs About Courtesy Cars After an Accident (UK)