If you had a non-fault road traffic accident and your car is not roadworthy as a result of the accident you are entitled to hire a replacement car, similar to your own. If you do not have the money to pay for repairs or a replacement car “upfront” you are entitled to obtain a replacement vehicle what is called a Credit Hire basis. This is not a courtesy vehicle as it is often mistaken to be. It is a car your are hiring on credit and agreeing to pay for it later.
The cost of hiring a car on Credit are often more than the what it would have cost you had you paid for it “upfront” because the Hire Company is taking the risk of not getting paid at the start of the Hire period and in some cases, not getting paid at all.
In assessing whether you can recover the credit hire charges, the Court will assess whether you are able to pay for either the repairs to your vehicle or to cover the cost of a replacement vehicle without incurring an unreasonable sacrifice. The Court will need to be satisfied that you cannot repair or replace your vehicle.
The Court will generally ask to see at least 3 months Bank/Building Society and Credit Card statements prior to the accident an covering the hire period. It is also common for the Court to request that you show your income and expenses. Whether the Court will consider you to be impecunious (i.e. unable to pay upfront Hire charges) depends upon your circumstances. Its not about how much money you earn. Many things need to be factored in, such as your expenses and financial commitments such as child care, mortgage etc…. We have extensive experience in dealing with credit hire claims, both for insurers and consumers. We truly understand both sides of the coin. We can advise you on whether you are likely to establish that you are impecunious or not.
If you have been involved in a non-fault accident, we arrange access to Credit Hire vehicles. Our Partner network have nationwide coverage including a fleet of standard and Taxis, prestige vehicle and other specialist vehicles.
