Losing your car is often more disruptive than the accident itself. Here is how replacement vehicle options generally work, and the questions worth asking before you accept anything.
The options that usually exist
Depending on the circumstances and who is liable, you may have access to a courtesy vehicle from the repairer, a replacement vehicle arranged through an insurer, or an arrangement made via an authorised provider.
Which of these is appropriate depends on your situation. We will explain the practical routes clearly, and where regulated services are required, authorised partners may assist.
↑ Back to contentsQuestions worth asking before you accept a vehicle
- Who is providing the vehicle, and on what basis?
- How long is it available for, and what happens if the repair overruns?
- Is the size and type suitable, child seats, towing, load space, wheelchair access?
- What are the insurance, fuel and mileage arrangements?
- What should you do if it develops a fault?
Vans and commercial vehicles
For business vehicles, downtime is the real cost. Tell your repairer early what the vehicle is used for so booking, parts ordering and a like-for-like replacement can be planned around it.
↑ Back to contentsFrequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- Do I have to pay my insurance excess?When an excess applies after a non-fault accident, and the practical routes that can avoid paying one up front.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
Prefer to speak to someone now?
SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.