Courtesy Car After an Accident?

After an accident, one of the first things your insurer will tell you is where to take your car. But are you actually entitled to a courtesy car while it's being repaired and do you have to accept the one they offer? Here's what Scottish drivers need to know.

Does My Insurance Cover a Courtesy Car?

It depends on your policy. Many comprehensive car insurance policies include courtesy car cover as standard, but not all of them do and even when it is included, there are often conditions attached.

Common conditions include:

• The courtesy car is only available while your car is being repaired at an insurer-approved repairer
• It's a small category A or B vehicle — not necessarily a like-for-like replacement
• It's only available if your car is repairable, not written off
• Availability isn't guaranteed — the repairer may not always have one ready

The first thing to do is check your policy documents or call your insurer and ask specifically: "Does my policy include a guaranteed courtesy car, and is it available if I choose my own repairer?"

What If the Accident Wasn't My Fault?

If you were in a non-fault accident — meaning the other driver was responsible — you have stronger entitlements than many people realise.

In a non-fault claim, you are generally entitled to a like-for-like replacement vehicle for the duration of your repair. This is provided through a credit hire arrangement, funded by the at-fault driver's insurer rather than your own policy.

This means:

• If you drive an SUV, you should receive an SUV — not a small hatchback
• The hire period should cover the full duration of your repair
• You should not be left without transport while your car is off the road
• You generally don't pay anything upfront — costs are recovered from the other party

A good accident management company or independent bodyshop will help you arrange this — it's part of the service, not an extra.

Can I Get a Courtesy Car If I Choose My Own Repairer?

This is where many drivers get caught out. If your insurer's courtesy car provision is tied to using their approved repairer, you may lose that benefit if you choose an independent bodyshop.

However, this doesn't mean you'll be left without a car. There are two routes:

1. Your chosen bodyshop provides a courtesy car directly. At Linwood Coachworks, we can arrange a courtesy car for customers while their vehicle is with us. It's worth asking any bodyshop you're considering whether this is something they offer before you commit.

2. You use a credit hire arrangement. If the accident wasn't your fault, credit hire gives you a replacement vehicle regardless of where you get your car repaired. The cost is recovered from the at-fault insurer, not from you.

What If My Car Is Written Off?

If your insurer declares your vehicle a total loss, courtesy car provision typically ends once the settlement is agreed. In a fault claim, you'll usually have the courtesy car until you receive your settlement cheque.

In a non-fault claim, credit hire continues until a reasonable period after settlement — giving you time to source a replacement vehicle. Again, the at-fault insurer covers this cost.

Key Questions to Ask Your Insurer

When you call to report a claim, have these questions ready:

• Is courtesy car cover included in my policy?
• Is it guaranteed, or subject to availability?
• Is it available if I use my own chosen repairer?
• If not, can I arrange credit hire independently?
• What category of vehicle will I receive?

If the accident wasn't your fault, don't accept a smaller car or a gap in transport without pushing back. You are entitled to be put back in the same position you were in before the accident — that includes the vehicle you drive.

How Linwood Coachworks Can Help

At Linwood Coachworks in Paisley, we handle the full process from the moment you contact us — including helping you arrange transport while your vehicle is being repaired. As a BS10125-accredited bodyshop, we carry out repairs to the same standard as manufacturer-approved repairers, and we liaise directly with insurers so you don't have to.

Whether the accident was your fault or not, we'll make sure you're not left in the dark about what you're entitled to.

Related reading:
Do You Have to Use Your Insurer's Approved Repairer?
Non-Fault Accident Repairs in Scotland — Your Rights Explained
How Long Does Accident Repair Take?