What Is a Credit Hire Car — And Why You're Entitled to One

What Is a Credit Hire Car?

A credit hire car is a replacement vehicle provided to you at no upfront cost after a non-fault accident. Unlike a courtesy car from your insurer (usually a tiny runaround), a credit hire car is a like-for-like replacement — same size, same type, same class as the vehicle you normally drive.

The cost? Billed directly to the at-fault driver's insurer. Not you.

How Is It Different from a Courtesy Car?

Most insurers offer a "courtesy car" as part of your policy. Sounds generous, right? Here's the catch:

• It's usually a small, basic vehicle — regardless of what you normally drive
• It might take days to arrange
• It's often only available through their approved garages

A credit hire car, on the other hand:

• Matches your vehicle — if you drive an SUV, you get an SUV
• Is arranged within 24 hours (often same day)
• Comes at zero cost to you

Who Pays for It?

The at-fault party's insurer. That's the whole point. Because the accident wasn't your fault, you're entitled to be put back in the position you were in before the crash. That includes having access to a proper vehicle while yours is being repaired.

Am I Definitely Entitled to One?

If the accident wasn't your fault, yes. It's your legal right under UK law. The key factor is liability — if the other driver caused the accident, their insurer is responsible for your reasonable losses. That includes a replacement vehicle.

Even if your own insurer says "we'll sort it", you don't have to accept their courtesy car. You can use a claims management company like Clear Claims to arrange a credit hire vehicle instead — one that actually matches what you drive.

How Clear Claims Helps

We arrange credit hire cars as part of every non-fault claim. Here's how it works:

• Tell us about the accident — fill out our 3-minute form
• We arrange the hire car — usually within 24 hours
• Drive it until your car's fixed — or until your claim settles
• Pay nothing — we recover the cost from the other insurer

No excess, no deposit, no hidden fees. Just a proper car while yours is out of action.

*Had a non-fault accident and need a replacement car? Start your claim — it takes 3 minutes.*