Replacement car after a non
fault crash what’s the safest
route?
The crash wasn’t your fault, but your day is now a puzzle: work shifts, school runs, deliveries. Your insurer mentions a “courtesy car.” Another number offers a “free, like-for-like hire” if you sign now. You just want wheels that won’t come back as a bill.
This guide is neutral and practical. It shows your three routes to a replacement vehicle, what proof actually matters, how rates are judged, and how mediation can resolve disputes without court. You’ll leave with steps you can follow today.
Confusion persists around credit hire vs courtesy cars and what’s “reasonable” in 2025, especially with new maximum daily rates for credit hire (from 1 July 2025) and automatic mediation for small claims. We’ll explain what that means for you. GTA Technical Committee+2Insurance Edge
If you’re not at fault, you can get a replacement via (A) your own insurer (usually a basic courtesy car during repairs), (B) the at-fault insurer (often once liability is accepted), or (C) credit hire through a coordinator. Whichever route you choose, keep it reasonable and prove your need to support recovery of costs.
Your three routes to a
replacement vehicle (and how
to choose)
Route A — Your own insurer (courtesy car).
Usually simplest, tied to repair duration. Often not like-for-like (e.g., a small hatchback instead of your estate/van). Age Co’s consumer guide confirms typical limits and availability. Age Co
Best when your needs are basic and repairs are short.
Route B — The at-fault insurer (direct supply).
Can be quick if liability is accepted. May still be a basic class unless you evidence why you need more.
Check terms: delivery/collection, fuel/EV charge, excesses, and mileage rules.
Route C — Credit hire via an accident coordinator.
Provides like-for-like when your need is evidenced (e.g., seating, cargo, PHV plate). Costs are normally pursued from the at-fault insurer in non-fault cases; the Financial Ombudsman explains how credit hire works and why disputes arise. Financial Ombudsman+1
Reasonableness matters: vehicle class, daily rate and duration will be examined (see “Rates & reasonableness”).
What proves your “need” for
like-for-like?
Build a simple proof pack.
Gather documents that show why a similar class is reasonably required:
People/cargo needs (family of 5; tools or equipment; delivery crates)
PHV/taxi licence & plate (if you earn with your car)
Work logs/earnings (rotas, booking reports)
Geography (no viable public transport)
Repairer dates and updates (to keep hire length aligned)
Duty to mitigate (plain English).
You’re expected to accept a reasonable offer that meets your needs or explain, with evidence, why it doesn’t (e.g., a basic hatchback when you need a plated PHV). The FOS stresses that reasonableness and documentation drive outcomes. Financial Ombudsman
Paper-trail checklist (copy these).
Photo ID, driving licence, insurance schedule, V5C
Repair estimates and confirmed dates
Hire agreement + 2–3 spot quotes for similar class (to benchmark rates)
For PHV/taxi: licence, plate, booking logs/earnings
A running note of every offer made and why you accepted/declined
Rates & reasonableness in
2025 BHR, credit rates and
maximum daily caps
The basics (no jargon).
BHR (Basic Hire Rate): the open-market daily price for a comparable vehicle without credit-hire terms.
Credit-hire rates can be recovered where justified; courts compare them with BHR and consider impecuniosity (ability to pay market rates without unreasonable sacrifice). Key cases include Lagden v O’Connor (2003) and Stevens v Equity (2015). UK Parliament+1
What changed from 1 July 2025.
The GTA Technical Committee introduced maximum daily settlement rates for hires 1 July 2025–30 June 2026, based on large-scale market data (15.7m quotes). Trade press reported they “came into effect today” on 1 July 2025. Expect tighter negotiations on class, rate, duration. GTA Technical Committee+1
Practical takeaways.
Keep your spot quotes and need evidence in one place.
Align hire duration to repair or settlement milestones.
Be ready to accept a reasonable offer that meets your purpose.
Step-by-step — how to claim
a hire car (England)
Step 1 — Log the incident and protect your position.
Record the accident details, photos, and witness info. If the car is immobile, arrange recovery and secure storage to avoid penalties at the scene or roadside (England). Keep all receipts.
Step 2 — Choose your route (A/B/C).
Use the decision rules above. If your insurer’s courtesy car meets your needs and repairs are short, that’s often simplest. Consumer explainers (e.g., Age Co) confirm courtesy cars are commonly basic and repair-tied, so verify the class early. Age Co
Step 3 — Assemble your proof pack.
Add 2–3 like-for-like market quotes to support the class and rate (especially important if you pursue credit hire).
Step 4 — Confirm class and duration in writing.
Ask for the vehicle group, any mileage or EV charge limits, and the return date policy. Keep all emails/WhatsApps.
Step 5 — If talks stall, try mediation before court.
For smaller disputes, HMCTS automatically refers eligible small claims to free 1-hour telephone mediation before a hearing under PD 51ZE (pilot: 22 May 2024 → 21 May 2026). Arrive with quotes, repair dates, and a realistic settlement position. GOV.UK Justice+1
Taxi/PHV, vans & bikes
work-ready replacements
without pitfalls
Taxi/PHV (London & England).
A like-for-like plated, insured vehicle can be justified when work depends on it, but courts may weigh hire cost vs loss of profits in taxi cases. The Hussain v EUI line of cases explores this balance; evidence (bookings, earnings, licensing) is key. DAC Beachcroft+1
Vans (tradespeople).
If tools/contracts require a van class, document it (photos of loadout, job letters). Keep the hire duration tight to job and repair dates.
Motorbikes (couriers).
Specify cc range and kit (helmet/lock/top-box). Short, targeted hires reduce dispute risk and get you back earning faster.
Mandatory Disclaimer
Accident Assist Network assists you after a non-fault accident by co-ordinating vehicle recovery, reputable repairs, cash-in-lieu settlements for total-loss vehicles and like-for-like replacement hire—whether for personal use, licensed taxi work or bike—through our network of independent specialist companies across England. Because our role is one of practical facilitation rather than financial advice, we are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and our services are not covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If the at-fault insurer delays or disputes payment you may become liable for credit services or other charges set out in your contract. Please read every document thoroughly and, if anything is unclear, ask us—or an independent adviser—before signing. We are happy to guide you in the language you feel most comfortable with.
Need practical help in England?
Call 020 4577 1120 · WhatsApp 07585 300 600
Conclusion & Next Steps
(England-only)
You want mobility, not a fight. Choose the route that fits your real-world need, keep a tidy paper trail, and say yes to reasonable offers that meet your purpose.
If you prefer calm, independent coordination across England—documents, like-for-like when justified, and reputable repair scheduling—Accident Assist Network can help. Visit Replacement Vehicles or Vehicle Repairs, or Contact us.
FAQS
Yes—via your insurer, the at-fault insurer, or credit hire. The right route depends on your need, the vehicle class, and how quickly liability is accepted. Keep your documents and spot quotes to support recovery of costs.
A courtesy car is a policy perk during repairs and is often basic class. Credit hire provides like-for-like when justified, with costs later sought from the at-fault insurer—subject to reasonableness checks on class, rate and duration.
In non-fault cases, recoverable hire costs are claimed from the at-fault insurer, if you prove need and keep the rate/duration reasonable. The Ombudsman explains common disputes and evidence.
There’s no automatic right; you must justify the class (seats/cargo/PHV licence). Courts compare credit rates vs BHR and consider impecuniosity.
Only as long as reasonably necessary—usually aligned to repair dates or, if total loss, settlement/replacement windows. Keep repair updates to support the timeline.
