Hi all,
I understand that credit car rental companies such as right2drive or acorn operate on the basis of giving the not-at-fault driver a car while their car is being repaired.
But I have few questions:
- Commencement of hire: can it start before the repairs are initiated (given that there's a claim number for the other party)?
- what happens if the car is deemed written off?
I reached out to them, but thought someone here might know before they respond.
Cheers
Commencement of Hire - Can start immediately after the accident, if the car is not able to be safely and legally driven I believe, and even if it can be driven, then for the duration of the repairs (basically the period for which your own vehicle is not available to you to use).
Duration - I suspect (but am not sure) that it would come down to a 'reasonable' period, and probably no longer than while waiting for a payout, with maybe a few days added on (you could not be reasonably expected to replace your written off car until you were paid out, and then maybe reasonably take a few days to find a new one).
NB: You don't need this as part of your (or their) insurance - if you are the 'damaged' party, you can claim against the other party to put you back into the same position you would have been before they 'damaged' you. If you do it yourself, you will have to 'discuss' it with them and / or their insurer though (? ultimately maybe have to go through the disputes tribunal ?), so arguably a convenience factor to have it through your own insurance - just be clear that you are paying a 'lazy tax' ;-)
Please do post back with 'their' response too - especially if different to what I have written here!
Thanks, will do
The answers I got:
- Commencement of hire: can start as soon as it's established that the car isn't fit/legal to drive.
- written off: the car stays with you until you get paid the value of the car.
Makes sense - I would argue for maybe another three days on the latter, since you receive the cash payout, but it is not reasonable to expect you to purchase a new car the same day, but perhaps not worth arguing over a few days.
Good luck!
I wish I knew about this before! I've been borrowing a little Holden Barina for my family of 4 (tight fit!) For 2 and a half months while waiting for my vehicle to be repaired after being t-boned