Car Hire After an Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
Was your car damaged in an accident caused by another driver? Find out whether we can help arrange a replacement hire car.
You may be eligible for a like-for-like replacement vehicle, with nothing to pay upfront. National Claims puts you in a car that matches your own, prestige models included, and handles your repairs from start to finish.
Awarded Claims Management Company of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, and trusted by 2000+ five-star reviewers.
Start your Claim and Get a Free Claim Assessment Today.
- FCA regulated
- Like-for-like replacement
- No excess to pay
- Courtesy hire vehicles
- Vehicle repairs managed for you
- Nationwide service
Check if you qualify for a like-for-like car
Cars typically delivered within 2 hours.
Replacement Car Hire After A Non-Fault Accident
You may be eligible for a like-for-like replacement vehicle, with nothing to pay upfront. National Claims puts you in a car that matches your own, prestige models included, and handles your repairs from start to finish.
Awarded Claims Management Company of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, and trusted by 2000+ five-star reviewers.
Start your Claim and Get a Free Claim Assessment Today.
- FCA regulated
- Like-for-like replacement
- No excess to pay
- Courtesy hire vehicles
- Vehicle repairs managed for you
- Write-off claim help
- Nationwide service
What Is a Courtesy Car Hire?
A courtesy car is a temporary replacement vehicle provided by National Claims partners while your own car is being repaired. It helps you continue everyday journeys, such as commuting to work or taking children to school.
You don’t have to settle for that: if the accident wasn’t your fault, National Claims puts you in a replacement that’s always like-for-like or better, prestige models included, with nothing to pay upfront and your repairs handled from start to finish. One call to us, and the courtesy car question never comes up.
Why Use National Claims Instead of Claiming on Your Insurance?
According to the Department for Transport, around 130,000 people were injured on Britain’s roads in 2023. After a collision, most drivers instinctively ring their own insurer. However, if the accident wasn’t your fault, that is rarely your best option.
Claiming on your own policy usually means paying your excess upfront, taking whatever courtesy car is available, and leaving your no claims discount at risk while fault is decided. As a result, many non-fault drivers end up out of pocket, off the road, or squeezed into a car far smaller than their own.
National Claims works for you, not for an insurer. Here is how the two routes compare:
When someone else causes the accident, the at-fault driver's insurer is responsible for putting you back in the position you were in before it happened. That includes being without a comparable vehicle while yours is off the road.
A courtesy car from your own insurer is a benefit of your policy, not a right, and it comes with conditions most drivers only discover after the accident.
| With National Claims | Claiming on your own insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| The car you drive | With National ClaimsA like-for-like replacement matched to your car's make, class and size, including prestige, performance and electric modelsBMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Range Rover, Porsche, Tesla and more, subject to availability |
Your own insuranceA courtesy car only if your policy includes one, usually a small hatchback, and whatever the garage has available |
| Vehicle age and condition | With National ClaimsEvery hire vehicle is 5 years old or newer, fully insured and maintained |
Your own insuranceNo guarantee on age, condition, specification or size |
| How quickly you're mobile | With National ClaimsDelivered to your home or workplace, typically within 2 hours of your claim being approved |
Your own insuranceUsually only once your car is booked into the insurer's approved garage, which can mean days without a vehicle |
| Your excess | With National ClaimsNot applicable: you're not claiming on your own policy, so there's no excess to pay |
Your own insuranceYou pay your excess first, typically £250 to £750, then wait to recover it |
| Your no claims discount | With National ClaimsNot touched: the claim is made against the at-fault driver's insurer |
Your own insuranceAt risk while liability is decided, which can take months |
| If your car is written off | With National ClaimsYou stay mobile while we pursue a settlement based on your car's true market value |
Your own insuranceStandard courtesy cars often don't cover write-offs unless you've paid for enhanced cover |
| How long you keep it | With National ClaimsFor as long as you reasonably need it, through repairs or a write-off settlement |
Your own insuranceTypically only while your car is at the approved garage, and some policies cap it at a set number of days |
| Repairs | With National ClaimsManufacturer-approved repairers using genuine parts, with damage assessed by an independent engineer |
Your own insuranceAn insurer-approved garage, which may fit non-genuine parts, with damage assessed by the insurer's own engineer |
| Who deals with the other side | With National ClaimsA dedicated handler deals with the at-fault insurer for you from start to finish |
Your own insuranceYour insurer recovers its own costs; losses like your excess are often left for you to chase |
| Who ultimately pays | With National ClaimsThe at-fault driver's insurer |
Your own insuranceYour own policy, with possible knock-on effects at renewal |
What this looks like in practice
You drive a Range Rover Sport and someone runs into the back of you at a junction.
Through your own insurer
You pay your excess, then wait for a small hatchback once your car is booked into their garage.
Through National Claims
A comparable prestige SUV is arranged for you, your repairs are managed at a manufacturer-approved repairer, and the costs are recovered from the driver who hit you.
Replacement vehicles are provided on credit hire terms to eligible non-fault drivers, subject to driver criteria and vehicle availability. Hire charges are recovered from the at-fault party's insurer.
A Prestige Replacement That Actually Matches Your Car
- Your car is a premium, luxury or specialist marque, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Range Rover, Porsche, Tesla and more
- You need a replacement that matches your day-to-day car, not a downgrade
- You rely on your vehicle for work, family or business use
You could qualify for a like-for-like replacement if:
- The accident wasn't your fault
- You need a vehicle for work, family or day-to-day life while yours is off the road
- Your vehicle was damaged in a UK road accident
- You have the other driver's details, or we can help trace them
Accident Repairs Handled From Start to Finish
Getting you mobile is only half the service. At the same time, we manage the repair of your own vehicle so you are not chasing garages and insurers yourself. That includes:
- Recovery and storage of your vehicle if it is not driveable
- Manufacturer-approved repairs using genuine parts, protecting your warranty and resale value
- An independent engineer’s assessment of the damage, so the repair reflects what your car actually needs
- Regular updates from a dedicated handler until your keys are back in your hand.
If your car is beyond economical repair, we manage the total loss process instead and pursue a fair settlement that reflects your car’s true market value. Meanwhile, you stay mobile in your replacement vehicle.
Check if you qualify for a like-for-like car
Cars typically delivered within 2 hours.
Our promise to you
- 90 minutes Roadside recovery, anywhere in the UK Your car is taken to secure storage while we handle your claim
- Less than 24 hours Your like-for-like replacement car, from the moment your claim is accepted Typically delivered within 2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a courtesy car?
A courtesy car is the temporary vehicle, usually a small hatchback, that drivers often end up with while their car is in for repair, and it’s rarely a match for what you actually drive. National Claims replaces that with something better, matched to your own car, prestige models included.
2. How do I get a courtesy car after an accident?
If the accident wasn’t your fault, call National Claims and we’ll confirm your eligibility straight away. Once your claim is open, we arrange your replacement vehicle directly, there’s no form to fill in with an insurer and no waiting on approval.
3. What type of courtesy car will I get?
With National Claims, you get a like-for-like replacement, not a generic small car. We match the vehicle to what you actually drive, including prestige and specialist marques such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Range Rover, Porsche and Tesla, subject to matching and availability.
4. Who pays for a courtesy car after a non-fault accident?
The at-fault driver’s insurer. We arrange your replacement vehicle on credit hire terms, which means you’re not paying hire charges upfront. Provided you weren’t at fault and you cooperate with your claim, we recover the costs directly from them, not from you.
5. How long do you get a courtesy car for?
For as long as you reasonably need one while your car is off the road, whether it’s being repaired or a total loss settlement is being agreed. We keep you moving for the full length of your claim, not just a few days.
6. What happens if my car is written off?
You keep your replacement vehicle while we negotiate a fair settlement based on your car’s real market value. You’re not left without transport the moment your car is declared a write-off.
7. What’s the difference between a courtesy car and a hire car?
A courtesy car is usually a small, basic vehicle you’re given while yours is repaired. A hire car through National Claims is a like-for-like replacement, matched to your own vehicle, arranged specifically because the accident wasn’t your fault.
8. Do I need insurance for my replacement vehicle?
No new policy to arrange and no cost to you. Your replacement is covered as part of your claim, so you can drive it exactly as you would your own car, with nothing extra to sort out.
Get Back on the Road Today
You didn’t cause the accident, so you shouldn’t carry the cost or the inconvenience. One call to National Claims puts a like-for-like vehicle on your driveway and your repairs in expert hands.
Don’t wait while your claim window closes. Speak with National Claims today. We’ll connect you with experienced solicitors who understand your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Hire vehicles are provided on credit hire terms to eligible non-fault drivers. Charges are recovered from the at-fault party’s insurer.
We’re proud of our excellent customer reviews
Excellent
This firm is excellent, they sorted out my car pay out and injury claim very fast, they always communicate with you all the time.
My accident case was dealt with confidence and with great result of the outcome, especially James kept me informed all the time.
I was very impressed at the way my inquiry was treated. I was listened to attentively and everything I needed to know was explained to me.
What do I do next?
To find out how much your claim could be worth, take a look at our Compensation Calculator.
To find out if you have a claim call us on Freephone 0800 029 3849 or fill out the claim form.
Calculate your compensation in a few minutes.
Hassle-free claims process
Our expert panel of solicitors can typically confirm almost immediately whether your claims application is likely to be successful and also give you an indication of how much you could potentially claim for.