Some insurance companies have a network of appointed repair shops who will offer you a courtesy car if one happens to be available. A few insurance companies have a car hire scheme as part of their policy whereby they will arrange a car for you from their chosen car hire company. However, most insurers do not offer either of these options.
Most insurance companies offer a car hire extension to their comprehensive policies. The extension is expensive and the policy cover is quite limited. You should decide if you feel it essential that you purchase it. It is not a vital 'add on' for everyone. Answer these questions:
If my car was disabled would I still be able to :
- get to work (by train, cycle, bus, walk)?
- take the children/grandchildren to school?
- go shopping
- go on holiday?
- pursue my sports, social interests, hobbies etc?
If you could cope without a car for a few days, you don't really need to purchase this additional cover. If you're sure that you can't then you should check that you have this cover.
Bear in mind, if your car is stolen or an accident is your fault, you will not be able to claim any car rental costs from a third party. You won't be able to go and see a 'credit hire' company. You probably can't be certain of the loan of a courtesy car from the garage. So this additional cover becomes worthwhile for you.
Similarly, if you do not wish to use the recommended repairer of your insurance company, or your car is written off, your car hire additional cover should come to the rescue. Let's take a look at what you can expect from a typical policy.
You may only hire a car if yours is disabled for at least 2 days, but the maximum period of hire is 14 days. If you need it for more than this you will have to pay the additional cost to the car hire firm. There's been many a disagreement between repair shop, insurance company and vehicle owner when repairs have overrun because of non-availability of parts and no party wants to pay the additional car hire costs.
You can't have a hire car for a glass only or windscreen claim.
There's usually a maximum distance that the hire company will deliver a rental car so if you live out in the sticks and the hire company is a fair few miles away from you, expect an additional charge if you arrange for them to deliver it to your home. Is it possible for you to get to the nearest branch yourself?
Your existing motor insurance policy will cover the hire car for comprehensive benefits. That helps your insurance company to limit the price of the hire car cover but if you are involved in an accident whilst using the rental car, the insurance claim will be on your policy.
The rental car can only be claimed from the date your car goes in to be repaired if it is still safe and legal to drive your vehicle. If the vehicle is not safe to drive you can hire the car from the day of the accident.
Policies will very likely impose a maximum period of hire, such as 14 days. If your car is restored prior to that date, you have to return the hire car as soon as your car is returned.
The rental car supplied will almost certainly be a basic, manual gearbox model no more than a couple of years old. If you require something a bit bigger you might have to pay a supplement. If you require an automatic they will try to locate one for you within the vehicle groups specified in the policy. The hire car will usually come supplied with a tank full of fuel. You must return it with a full tank of fuel. If you don't you will be billed by the hire company for a fill up. And they charge a very high price for fuel!
Some hire companies will ask for an imprint of your credit card, guarding against the possibility of having to top up the fuel in your car or bumping it whilst out and about.
Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com
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