What's a credit hire car?
If you’re involved in an accident that’s not your fault, you might be offered a credit hire car. This is a temporary replacement car for you to use while your own is off the road.
The at-fault driver’s insurer will cover the cost of the credit hire car. This means that you won’t have to claim on your own Prima car insurance policy.
It’s different to a courtesy car
A credit hire car is different to the courtesy car included with your insurance policy.
Typically, courtesy cars are:
- Small three-door cars
- Provided only during repairs (not if your car is written off)
- Provided only if the garage has one available
- Covered by your own insurance
But with a credit hire car, you get a car that’s:
- A similar size and standard to your own car
- Provided if your own car is in for repair or written off
- Paid for by the at-fault driver’s insurance
Get it while your car is off the road
To keep your life moving as normal, you’ll get the credit hire car as soon as possible after the accident.
If your own car is fixable, you’ll keep the hire car until all repair work on your car is complete.
If your own car is written off, you’ll keep the hire car until up to five days after you’ve got your settlement amount.
It’ll be arranged by BDElite
BDElite, our trusted accident management partner, will assess the circumstances of your accident and if it’s appropriate arrange your hire car for you. They specialise in providing credit hire to people involved in accidents that aren’t their fault.
They have a network of credit hire car suppliers across the UK. So no matter where you are or what kind of car you usually drive, they’ll find a temporary replacement car to suit your needs.
BDElite aims to provide drivers with exceptional service. It’s worth noting though that, unlike your Prima car insurance, credit hire is not a regulated financial service. So if, for example, you weren’t happy with how a complaint was handled, you may not be able to take the issue to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You’d need to speak to BDElite.
You shouldn’t have to pay anything
The hire car supplier will recover the costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
As these services are credit services though, you’ll need to sign a credit agreement. But even if the at-fault driver’s insurer refuses to pay, you shouldn’t have to pay anything. This is so long as:
- You provide an accurate and truthful account of the incident
- You support the suppliers with any claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer (for instance, by providing any documents they ask for)
You’ll find full details in your credit agreement.
