Went on Go Compare site - got quotes for - Fully Comp - NCB Protection - Legal Cover - Replacement car. On two sites when getting more details from their web page asked if I wanted Hire Car (Additional £20 app) in addition to the Replacement car. Isn't the Replacement car the same as the Hire car - or do you have to pay twice?
Possibly when they say Replacement Car initially they mean insurance cover on the replacement car/hire car? Just assuming though
A courtesy car is provided if yours is being repaired. Sadly if written off. Not. The extra would cover that eventuality. Hence hire car . I guess there’s a time limit to replace the unrepairable car. ? Edit. 21 days, or until settlement cheque is sent.
Hi HF, the time limit for me on one of my insurances in the past was exactly 1 week. I was involved in a bad accident (non fault on my part) and the damaged car went to the approved repairers who after a week wrote the car off. The hire car I had received had to then go promptly back as I was then not covered on my insurance. We agreed a price for the written off car, but the insurance company said they could only mail me the cheque. So I was left without a car as I had to wait for the cheque to arrive (and then clear) before I could look for another car. With no other car in the household (my wife doesn't drive) I was up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
looking at that mate I don’t know if you’re querying. If so this is how I see it. You had courtesy car cover. ( car provided by the repairers) not hire car. By not having the extra cover. eg hire car. Once it was wrote off. They had fulfilled their obligations. So to the op. I would suggest paying the extra £20.(unless stretched) If you have no other form of transport to rely on, if the car gets written off.
Agree, yes HF, although I thought I had the hire car cover. So I was left a) waiting to receive a cheque, then waiting for the funds to clear and b) trying to find another vehicle without having a car which was very difficult. So definitely worth getting the hire car cover if you don't have alternative transportation
A replacement car is for whilst your car is getting fixed at an approved garage. A hire car is provided if your car is unable to be fixed and is written off.
thanks - that makes sense. I just assumed (wrongly) having cover meant I was covered if the car was written off or was being repaired.
I always thought that too until I specifically asked one time. As you’re looking at insurance I’ll do my usual reminder to click through a cashback site such as Quidco or TopCashback first before searching through the comparison site (either their own or Confused.com, it’s too late for getting cashback with GoCompare I think as they’ve already produced quotes). Should be able to get a minimum of £25 cashback but probably more.
I was manager of and sold inurance for 15ish years. The replies regarding written off vehicles/approved repairers/total loss payments are correct. In addition you don't tend to get a replacement vehicle if yours is stolen. Most insurers will wait at least between 21 days upto a month (hoping it turns up hence not having to pay out). So your £20 option may assist if that scenario happened.
