Courtesy car impact on claim
Discussion
I’m having to make a claim on my car insurance for the first time and interested to know a few details if people can help.
Firstly, I have access to another car and a motorbike so don’t really need a courtesy car - will it affect the size of the claim if I do/don’t take the courtesy car? I don’t want a bigger claim against my name for the next 5 years for the sake of a car I could work a way of doing without if push came to shove.
Also, the car isn’t worth a huge amount so there’s a risk it’ll be written off - does taking the courtesy car have an impact on whether or not they’ll write it off? Cost of a courtesy car for a week or two could tip it over into being written off if that’s a consideration.
Thanks in advance!
Firstly, I have access to another car and a motorbike so don’t really need a courtesy car - will it affect the size of the claim if I do/don’t take the courtesy car? I don’t want a bigger claim against my name for the next 5 years for the sake of a car I could work a way of doing without if push came to shove.
Also, the car isn’t worth a huge amount so there’s a risk it’ll be written off - does taking the courtesy car have an impact on whether or not they’ll write it off? Cost of a courtesy car for a week or two could tip it over into being written off if that’s a consideration.
Thanks in advance!
NotBenny said:
I’m having to make a claim on my car insurance for the first time and interested to know a few details if people can help.
Firstly, I have access to another car and a motorbike so don’t really need a courtesy car - will it affect the size of the claim if I do/don’t take the courtesy car? I don’t want a bigger claim against my name for the next 5 years for the sake of a car I could work a way of doing without if push came to shove.
Also, the car isn’t worth a huge amount so there’s a risk it’ll be written off - does taking the courtesy car have an impact on whether or not they’ll write it off? Cost of a courtesy car for a week or two could tip it over into being written off if that’s a consideration.
Thanks in advance!
If you are claiming from your insurance for an accident that was your fault, then it is likely that your ins will not cover you for a courtesy car anyway unless it is specifically stated otherwiseFirstly, I have access to another car and a motorbike so don’t really need a courtesy car - will it affect the size of the claim if I do/don’t take the courtesy car? I don’t want a bigger claim against my name for the next 5 years for the sake of a car I could work a way of doing without if push came to shove.
Also, the car isn’t worth a huge amount so there’s a risk it’ll be written off - does taking the courtesy car have an impact on whether or not they’ll write it off? Cost of a courtesy car for a week or two could tip it over into being written off if that’s a consideration.
Thanks in advance!
martinbiz said:
If you are claiming from your insurance for an accident that was your fault, then it is likely that your ins will not cover you for a courtesy car anyway unless it is specifically stated otherwise
I’ve been told the repairer will be providing a courtesy car, and there’s no mention of me paying for it, so I’m assuming it’s included...NotBenny said:
I’ve been told the repairer will be providing a courtesy car, and there’s no mention of me paying for it, so I’m assuming it’s included...
Why would the repairer supply a courtesy car at their cost?The sailient point is whos fault was the accident. If it's the other party then their insurers pay for the car. if your fault and you have courtesy car included then your insurance will pay for it.
I cannot see why the repairer would pay for a courtesy car!
If you don't need a courtesy car don't get one then there is less cost involved in any event.
kestral said:
Why would the repairer supply a courtesy car at their cost?
The sailient point is whos fault was the accident. If it's the other party then their insurers pay for the car. if your fault and you have courtesy car included then your insurance will pay for it.
I cannot see why the repairer would pay for a courtesy car!
If you don't need a courtesy car don't get one then there is less cost involved in any event.
Why on earth not? I think what he is saying is the repairer is providing the car, which is quite normal, the OP has already said there is no charge to him, so it is likely that he is covered even for an own fault claim on his policy, so the details of who is actually paying is irrelevant. His original question was would it have any effect on whether his ins co repair or write off his car and the answer to that is no. The sailient point is whos fault was the accident. If it's the other party then their insurers pay for the car. if your fault and you have courtesy car included then your insurance will pay for it.
I cannot see why the repairer would pay for a courtesy car!
If you don't need a courtesy car don't get one then there is less cost involved in any event.
martinbiz said:
Why on earth not? I think what he is saying is the repairer is providing the car, which is quite normal, the OP has already said there is no charge to him, so it is likely that he is covered even for an own fault claim on his policy, so the details of who is actually paying is irrelevant. His original question was would it have any effect on whether his ins co repair or write off his car and the answer to that is no.
But if his insurance company pays for it, it would affect the size of the claim.I recently had a no fault accident, so 3rd party insurers paid for repairs - total was ~£2k, without courtesy car. However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
It took 3 or 4 weeks for my car to be repaired - so even if we're generous and say 3 weeks, it would have taken the claim cost from ~£2k to £14,600!
davek_964 said:
But if his insurance company pays for it, it would affect the size of the claim.
I recently had a no fault accident, so 3rd party insurers paid for repairs - total was ~£2k, without courtesy car. However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
You're confusing a courtesy car, supplied by the garage at their cost, and a hire car, that is paid for by the insurers.I recently had a no fault accident, so 3rd party insurers paid for repairs - total was ~£2k, without courtesy car. However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
deckster said:
davek_964 said:
But if his insurance company pays for it, it would affect the size of the claim.
I recently had a no fault accident, so 3rd party insurers paid for repairs - total was ~£2k, without courtesy car. However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
You're confusing a courtesy car, supplied by the garage at their cost, and a hire car, that is paid for by the insurers.I recently had a no fault accident, so 3rd party insurers paid for repairs - total was ~£2k, without courtesy car. However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
martinbiz said:
Why on earth not? I think what he is saying is the repairer is providing the car, which is quite normal, the OP has already said there is no charge to him, so it is likely that he is covered even for an own fault claim on his policy, so the details of who is actually paying is irrelevant. His original question was would it have any effect on whether his ins co repair or write off his car and the answer to that is no.
If there is payment involved, then it is relevant.I would always avoid a courtesy car if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Simply because of the extra hassle and responsibility. What happens if it's damaged in your care for example? If you have alternative transport decline. Or just have it delivered to your driveway and don't use it. It's a good bargaining chip to get the repairs to your car done quicker.
hornmeister said:
I would always avoid a courtesy car if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Simply because of the extra hassle and responsibility. What happens if it's damaged in your care for example? If you have alternative transport decline. Or just have it delivered to your driveway and don't use it. It's a good bargaining chip to get the repairs to your car done quicker.
This.Courtesy cars usually come with a fairly hefty excess.
davek_964 said:
However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
Hmmm....I don't think 3rd party insurers actually pay those amounts, however much accident management companies try. I've got one of those lists in front of me and the dearest is Bentley / Lambo / Ferrari etc at £469/day. Various Porsches are at £177 to £332.Anyone accepting such a car could end up being dragged into Court to justify why they needed the car, and on credit hire.
Sheepshanks said:
davek_964 said:
However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
Hmmm....I don't think 3rd party insurers actually pay those amounts, however much accident management companies try. I've got one of those lists in front of me and the dearest is Bentley / Lambo / Ferrari etc at £469/day. Various Porsches are at £177 to £332.Anyone accepting such a car could end up being dragged into Court to justify why they needed the car, and on credit hire.
martinbiz said:
...... the OP has already said there is no charge to him, ......
What he actually said was...NotBenny said:
I’ve been told the repairer will be providing a courtesy car, and there’s no mention of me paying for it, so I’m assuming it’s included...
Which is not the same thing at all.I'm off out for my free lunch now. I've got my wallet, and my credit card.
NotBenny said:
Also, the car isn’t worth a huge amount so there’s a risk it’ll be written off - does taking the courtesy car have an impact on whether or not they’ll write it off?
Be interesting to know but I've always understood the courtesy car cost wasn't taken into acoount,As others have said, the cost will vary dramatically depending on who is paying. If it's own fault and your insurers own repairer is providing a basic car then their actual cost is going to be buttons - I wouldn't be surprised if big insurers with their own body shops get them effectively free and get them changed every 6 months by manufacturers.
I can think of several examples of cars being repaired where if took any sort of view on the cost of the courtesy car then it didn't make sense to repair the car - a colleague had an A4 in the bodyshop for 4 months being repaired by his own insurer.
Sheepshanks said:
davek_964 said:
However, they did offer a like for like courtesy car - and had I taken it, it would have cost them ~£600 a day including vat (they listed the daily cost of each of the cars in their list).
Hmmm....I don't think 3rd party insurers actually pay those amounts, however much accident management companies try. I've got one of those lists in front of me and the dearest is Bentley / Lambo / Ferrari etc at £469/day. Various Porsches are at £177 to £332.Anyone accepting such a car could end up being dragged into Court to justify why they needed the car, and on credit hire.
As usual for PH gone completely off topic with pedantic and mostly incorrect waffle.
Shall we remember that the OP's original question was just asking if a free courtesy car will contribute to his car becoming a total loss, the answer was given in the third post.
Do people not notice that OP's often vanish after a couple of posts when they feel they have got the answer they need.
Shall we remember that the OP's original question was just asking if a free courtesy car will contribute to his car becoming a total loss, the answer was given in the third post.
Do people not notice that OP's often vanish after a couple of posts when they feel they have got the answer they need.
Edited by martinbiz on Wednesday 5th December 13:34
more info - single vehicle incident so it's my fault (well, I'm blaming the deer that didn't cross the road in what I'd call a safe way, but apparently as far as the insurance are concerned it's my fault *tongue firmly in cheek*), the car offered is a ford ka, micra or similar so will just decline it on the basis of I don't really need it and don't want any extra hassle.
martinbiz said:
Why on earth not? I think what he is saying is the repairer is providing the car, which is quite normal, the OP has already said there is no charge to him, so it is likely that he is covered even for an own fault claim on his policy, so the details of who is actually paying is irrelevant. His original question was would it have any effect on whether his ins co repair or write off his car and the answer to that is no.
Read his second post again he say's " I assume it's included" he has not established who is paying for the courtsey car.'Providing' a courtesy car is not saying it is free.
I know of a few cases were a bill has been received after a couresy car has been 'provided'.
With the exclaimation from the insured " you did not say I had to pay" and the answer comming back " well we did not get paid by the insurer so you are liable".
There are no free courtesy cars.The money has to come from somewhere.
It therfore only becomes relevant if it is free and then unless he knows it will not effect things in the future to his detrement only then is it worth considering accepting it.
NotBenny said:
more info - single vehicle incident so it's my fault (well, I'm blaming the deer that didn't cross the road in what I'd call a safe way, but apparently as far as the insurance are concerned it's my fault *tongue firmly in cheek*), the car offered is a ford ka, micra or similar so will just decline it on the basis of I don't really need it and don't want any extra hassle.
I was advised many years ago that insurance companies will always (regardless of fault) look on any claimant more favourably if make an attempt to mitigate your losses. So, in short, if you don't need a courtesy car (and you say you don't) then don't take it.Long story short, someone, somewhere is paying for that courtesy car, whether the garage who will either pass the cost on to the insurance company (increasing your claim value) or (unlikely) swallow the cost themselves.
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