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Courtesy car
Comprehensive cover only.
Insurance companies make arrangements with their ‘approved repairer’ to lend customers a courtesy car whilst their own car is being repaired.
These cars are usually very basic models, and are ‘subject to availability’. If a car is not available, tell the repairer that you will use another repairer that does have a car available, if they want your business, they’ll soon find you a car.
The insurance companies try to push as hard as possible to make you use their approved repairer because they receive gigantic discounts off labour costs and parts prices (which helps maximise their profits).
They usually insist that the repairer supply the hire car to you free of charge to themselves. You do not have to use the approved repairer and can choose your own repairer, but beware of any penalties for doing so. i.e. Swiftcover.com increase their compulsory excess by an extra £50 if you refuse to use their approved repairer.
However some companies offer guaranteed courtesy cars for an extra premium. Unless you absolutely cannot manage without a car, do not pay this, as there is always a repairer that needs the work and will let you have a courtesy car free of charge.
This is another lucrative extra for companies, as some will insist that the approved repairer provide you with a ‘guaranteed’ car at no cost to themselves, even though they are charging you an extra premium for this.
Guaranteed courtesy car example prices:
• Norwich Union £12 small car £25 larger car.
• RAC £12 small car £25 larger car.
• Tesco £21.
• Swiftcover.com £16.99 small car £31.98 larger car.
• Direct Line £18.
• Admiral £28.95
Comments
Be careful not to throw good money away, particularly when you may be paying for something you can easily obtain free of charge. When you pay extra you are entitled to a guaranteed hire car in the event of a total loss accident or theft. |
