Introduction
Few things about car insurance are as widely assumed, and as inconsistently true, as the idea that a courtesy car automatically comes with any claim. In practice, provision depends heavily on your specific policy, the repairer you use, and whether your car is repaired rather than written off.
This guide sets out exactly what courtesy car cover typically involves and where it commonly falls short of expectations. It complements our guides on comprehensive car insurance and the car insurance claims process.
Key Terms Explained
- Courtesy Car
- A temporary replacement vehicle provided while your own car is off the road for repairs following a valid claim.
- Guaranteed Provision
- A policy term confirming a courtesy car will definitely be supplied, rather than offered subject to availability.
- Approved Repairer
- A garage vetted and authorised by your insurer, often a condition for guaranteed courtesy car provision.
- Like-for-Like Replacement
- A courtesy vehicle matching your own car's category or size, offered on some higher-tier policies rather than a basic runabout.
- Total Loss
- A write-off classification, after which courtesy car cover generally no longer applies since there's no repair to support.
- Hire Car Cover
- A related but distinct optional extra sometimes covering a hired vehicle for a defined period, separate from repairer-provided courtesy cars.
What Courtesy Car Cover Includes
Courtesy car cover provides a temporary replacement vehicle while your own car is off the road for repairs following a valid insurance claim, helping you stay mobile during the repair process.
What's Typically Included
- A basic runabout vehicle, on many standard policies
- A guaranteed like-for-like replacement, on some higher-tier policies
- Cover only while the car is being repaired by an approved repairer, in many cases
- Time limits on how long the courtesy car is provided
| Policy Tier | Typical Courtesy Car Provision |
|---|---|
| Basic comprehensive | Subject to availability, basic vehicle |
| Mid-tier comprehensive | Guaranteed provision, basic vehicle |
| Premium/enhanced | Guaranteed like-for-like replacement |
Benefits of Courtesy Car Cover
- Keeps you mobile during repair periods
- Guaranteed tiers remove availability uncertainty
- Often included at no extra cost on many policies
Considerations
- Rarely applies to write-off claims
- Often tied to using an approved repairer
- Vehicle type and duration limits vary widely
Common Situations
Guaranteed vs Non-Guaranteed Courtesy Cars
Some policies guarantee a courtesy car will be provided, while others only offer one "subject to availability", which could mean none is provided if the repairer doesn't have one free. Check which type of provision your policy offers, since the difference only becomes apparent at the worst possible time if you assume the wrong one.
Duration and Vehicle Category Limits
Provision periods vary by policy and repair complexity, and some insurers cap either the number of days a courtesy car is provided or the engine size and category of vehicle offered, which matters if you need a larger vehicle for family or work reasons.
Requesting a Specific Vehicle
Courtesy vehicles are generally allocated based on what's available at the repairer, not driver preference, though some higher-tier policies guarantee a specific category matching your own car, which is worth checking if vehicle size genuinely matters to your daily needs.
Third Party Only and Third Party, Fire and Theft Policies
Courtesy car provision is far more commonly associated with comprehensive policies than with more basic cover levels, so drivers on third party only or third party, fire and theft policies should not assume a courtesy car will be provided at all.
What Affects Whether You Get One
- Your specific policy tier and whether provision is guaranteed
- Whether you use an insurer-approved repairer
- Whether the claim results in repair versus a total loss
- Repairer availability at the time of your claim
- Any duration or vehicle category limits in your policy
- Whether you've added optional hire car cover as an extra
Before You Need a Courtesy Car
- Check your policy wording now. Confirm whether courtesy car provision is guaranteed or subject to availability.
- Note any approved repairer condition. Understand how using a non-approved garage affects provision.
- Check duration and vehicle limits. Confirm these match your realistic needs.
- Consider optional hire car cover. If your policy's standard provision feels insufficient.
- Ask about write-off scenarios. Understand what transport support, if any, applies if your car is a total loss.
Insuring the Courtesy Car Itself
Courtesy cars are typically covered under the repairer's or insurer's own insurance arrangement while in your possession, but confirm this, along with your responsibilities, such as excess, if the courtesy car itself is damaged or involved in an incident. Fuel costs for a courtesy car are also usually your own responsibility, similar to any borrowed or hired vehicle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a courtesy car is automatically guaranteed on any policy
- Not checking the approved repairer condition before arranging repairs
- Expecting a like-for-like vehicle without confirming this in your policy
- Assuming courtesy car cover applies to write-off claims
- Not checking your liability if the courtesy car itself is damaged
- Overlooking fuel and mileage responsibilities during the loan period
Frequently Asked Questions About Courtesy Car Insurance
Is a courtesy car guaranteed with car insurance?
Not always, this varies significantly by insurer and policy. Some guarantee provision, others offer one subject to availability, and some don't include it at all.
What type of car will I get as a courtesy vehicle?
This depends on your policy, ranging from a basic runabout to a guaranteed like-for-like replacement on higher-tier policies.
Do I get a courtesy car if my vehicle is written off?
Often not, courtesy car cover is generally intended to support repairs, and may not apply if the vehicle is declared a total loss.
Am I insured to drive the courtesy car?
Generally yes, courtesy cars are typically covered under the repairer's or insurer's arrangement, but confirm your specific responsibilities and any applicable excess.
Does using a non-approved repairer affect courtesy car cover?
It can, some policies only guarantee a courtesy car if you use an insurer-approved repairer, so check this before making arrangements.
How long is a courtesy car typically provided for?
This varies by policy and repair complexity, with some insurers capping the provision period or the vehicle's engine size and category.
Can I request a specific type of courtesy car?
Generally no, courtesy vehicles are allocated based on availability, though some higher-tier policies guarantee a like-for-like category.
Do I need to pay for fuel used in a courtesy car?
Typically yes, fuel costs for a courtesy car are usually the driver's responsibility, similar to any borrowed or hired vehicle.
What happens if the courtesy car is damaged while in my possession?
You may be liable for damage under the repairer's or insurer's terms, so check whether an excess or additional cover applies before driving it.
Does third party only insurance include courtesy car cover?
Rarely, courtesy car provision is far more commonly associated with comprehensive policies than with third party only cover.
Conclusion
Courtesy car cover can be a valuable part of your car insurance policy, but terms vary considerably between insurers, and the gap between assumption and reality is one of the most common sources of frustration during a repair claim. Checking exactly what's guaranteed, under what conditions, and with which repairers, before you need it helps avoid an unwelcome surprise when your car is off the road. If you're offered a replacement vehicle through credit hire by an accident management company after a non-fault accident, it's worth comparing this against your own insurer's courtesy car provision before deciding.