Have You Had an Accident in a Courtesy Car?

When driving a courtesy car, you are already unsettled; using a different vehicle to your own, the controls may vary and the lack of familiarity may be off-putting leading to the increased risk of a road traffic collision.

But what happens next if you have had an accident in a courtesy car, which wasn’t your fault? This page will aim to answer some key questions and provide you with more information.

Have you or someone close to you been involved in an accident in a courtesy car? Talk to Winns, who can make all the arrangements to ensure you are back on the road as quickly as possible.

Can you make a claim?

If you have had an accident in a courtesy car and are considering making a claim, you may not be aware of the criteria for doing so:

• You were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault
• It took place within the last three years prior to making a claim
• You’re insured to drive

If you fulfil those criteria, contact Winns today and we can offer the help and support you need post-accident in a courtesy car.

How to make a claim following a non-fault accident in a courtesy car?

If you fulfil the criteria mentioned above, the next step is a simple one. Contact Winns. You can do this in a number of ways; either ring 0800 988 6288 to speak directly to one of our team, who can guide you expertly through the process, or begin a Live Chat on our website. Alternatively, if you haven’t got the time to chat right now, leave a call back request on our website and we’ll contact you at a time that is convenient.

Who can make a claim?

Anyone who has been involved in a non-fault accident on the road can make a claim. As long as you are insured, weren’t at fault and had the accident within the last three years then you can make a claim through Winns for compensation.

Who do I make the claim against?

When making a claim following an accident in a courtesy car, your claim is made against the individual who caused the accident but as long as they hold a valid car insurance policy, their insurer should provide them with indemnity and deal with the claim on their behalf. It is then the third-party insurance company who, if the claim is successful, will be liable to pay the costs incurred.

What to do after an accident?

It is critical, first and foremost, in the aftermath of an accident to make sure everyone involved is safe and in no danger. Move to a safe place away from the incident and contact the relevant emergency services to assist.

Once this is done and everyone is ready, discuss the exchanging of details – insurance providers, registration details, car make and model, name, contact number – to ensure a quicker, smoother start to the claims process. It is also really important to take a photograph of the third-party vehicle and any damage sustained to it, as evidence that it was involved in the accident, in case the driver/owner tries to deny involvement at a later date. 

If there were any witnesses to the accident, make a note of their contact details, as they will be asked to provide a statement outlining the details of the accident to help support your claim and to aid with establishing liability.

Next, if you can, make a record of the accident; think about how it happened from your perspective, what the road layout was (for example, did the accident take place at a junction), what the road conditions were like and describe what the weather was like, especially if it could have affected visibility or reaction time. All of these details could prove beneficial to your claim later down the line.

It is important to inform your courtesy car provider that an accident has taken place. Find out their procedures and how they would like recovery of the vehicle to proceed. Then contact Winns so we can help guide you through the next stages of the process. Don’t forget to contact your insurance provider to inform them of the accident as well.

Very good at keeping me up to date on my claim; very friendly staff, no complaints.

Zoe Smith

Made everything smooth as possible. Open and straight forward; highly recommend.

Ryan

Stephen Clementson was a pleasure to speak to. I have never had to deal with anything like this before so was a bit apprehensive about it but he made the whole process very easy; he was friendly and professional. I couldn't be happier with the service and help I received from him.

Madeline Hill

Contact Winns today

Why make a claim following an accident in a courtesy car?

Did you sustain an injury as a result of the accident? If so, making a claim can allow you to pursue compensation if the accident wasn’t your fault and it has impacted your day-to-day life.

As a one-stop claims management service, we can offer help, assistance and guidance on all aspects of claims following a non-fault accident in a courtesy car. We have expert advisors who specialise in these matters and can progress your claim in all areas. One phone call is all it takes to get the process started; Winns will do the rest.

Courtesy car claims FAQs

What happens if you crash a courtesy car?

When driving a courtesy car, your insurance for your main vehicle should cover you to the same level when you’re driving the replacement vehicle. Alternatively, you will have cover through the courtesy car provider.

Contact the courtesy car provider to tell them of the incident and follow procedures and guidance from them; they may require certain actions to take place, like dropping the car off or arranging for recovery of it from the scene.

You should also let your insurance provider know of the accident, as they will need to be notified. But contact Winns before that to find out how our expert team can help with the situation.

How do I get a courtesy car after an accident?

A courtesy car is usually arranged by your insurer through the garage making the repairs to your vehicle. Once you have informed your insurer of the accident, they will use one of their partners to repair the vehicle, with that repairer providing you with a stock vehicle in the meantime.

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

A courtesy car is usually a vehicle provided by the garage where the repairs to your normal vehicle are taking place. Courtesy cars tend to be standard vehicles, typically with a one-litre engine, manual transmission and three doors. A credit hire vehicle, on the other hand, is a different option as you have no upfront costs to pay and the final bill for it is claimed from the third-party insurance provider as part of an accident claim. A credit hire vehicle will be a like-for-like replacement of your vehicle so disruption to you and your driving needs should be minimal. It is important to note that a credit hire vehicle can only be provided to the owner of the vehicle that was being driven at the time of the accident.

Is a courtesy car insured?

Your courtesy car should be covered by your insurance provider. However, if that is not the case then insurance will be provided by the courtesy car provider, or they will advise you if a separate insurance policy needs to be taken out to cover the courtesy car.

If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault whilst driving a courtesy car, then contact Winns today to get the help and advice you need to get you back on the road.