Courtesy car insurance cover

Courtesy car insurance offers peace of mind that you’ll get a replacement vehicle if yours is being repaired. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Written by

Julie Daniels

Motor insurance expert

Last Updated

27 AUGUST 2024

4 min read

What is a courtesy car?

A courtesy car is a temporary replacement vehicle provided by your insurance provider or garage to use while your car is being repaired. It can be a lifesaver if you depend on your car to get around.

Many comprehensive car insurance policies include courtesy car cover as standard, as long as your car is being repaired at an approved garage.

What courtesy car will I get?

Courtesy cars tend to be small, one-litre, three-door models like a Ford Ka, Kia Picanto or Nissan Micra. You’ll sometimes see these referred to as ‘Class A courtesy cars’.

If it’s important to you to have a courtesy car that’s similar to your own, for example if you need a larger car to accommodate all your family, you should look for courtesy car insurance that includes ‘like for like’ cover.

How to get a courtesy car

You’ll typically get a courtesy car if your vehicle is damaged in an accident and needs to go into a garage for repairs. In most cases, you’ll still receive a courtesy car even if the accident was your fault.

If your car insurance doesn’t include courtesy car cover but your car is damaged in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim for a courtesy car on the other driver’s insurance.

Be aware that if your car can’t be repaired, it may not be covered by courtesy car insurance. That means you may have to return the courtesy car that was given to you if your car is written off after being assessed.

It’s also important to know that not all insurance providers will give you a courtesy car if yours is stolen (although some will). If your policy won’t, you can look into getting hire car cover or add a replacement car extension to your policy. That way, you’ll have access to a rental car if yours is stolen or written off.

Terms and conditions vary among policies, so it’s important to read the policy details carefully to make sure you know exactly what’s included and what’s not.

Are there any courtesy car rules?

Courtesy car rules can vary among providers, so make sure to read the terms and conditions of your policy carefully. Courtesy car insurance may come with limitations:

You won’t get to choose the type of courtesy car – it’s usually a small hatchback like a Ford Ka or Nissan Micra
You may not get a courtesy car if your car is stolen or written off
There may be a time limit on how long you can use the courtesy car
To get a courtesy car, your own car must be repaired by an approved garage
You might not get a courtesy car if you’re claiming for minor repairs, such as windscreen or window damage
You might not be offered a courtesy car if your vehicle is a classic car or a camper van
Some insurance providers only offer third-party cover for a courtesy car, even if you have a comprehensive policy for your own car
You may need to be 21 or over to get a courtesy car
You may not get a courtesy car if you have an accident outside of the UK.

Can I get a courtesy car if my car breaks down?

If your car breaks down and you have standard breakdown cover, it’s unlikely you’ll be offered a courtesy car.

However, you could add ‘Onward Travel’ to your breakdown policy as an optional extra. This will usually give you use of a hire car for up to three days while yours is being repaired.

Does my car insurance include a courtesy car?

Whether courtesy car cover is included with your car insurance depends on your policy. Some feature courtesy car cover as standard. On others, it’s available as an optional add-on. However, you’re more likely to have cover if you have comprehensive car insurance.

Third-party, or third-party, fire and theft insurance doesn’t usually include a courtesy car. But it depends on your policy – some might do, so it’s always worth checking.

Am I insured to drive a courtesy car?

If a courtesy car is included in your car insurance policy you should be automatically insured to drive it, along with any named drivers included on your policy, typically at no extra cost. Always check the terms of your policy to be sure.

If your insurance doesn’t cover a replacement vehicle, you may be able to negotiate use of a courtesy car directly with the garage handling your car repairs. In this case, it’s vital that you speak to your insurance provider to make sure you’re properly insured. They should be able to set you up with temporary courtesy car insurance to keep you covered and on the right side of the law.

What happens if you crash a courtesy car?

If you have an accident in a courtesy car, you’ll normally be covered in the same way as when you’re driving your own car. That means you should only have to pay the car insurance excess to get the courtesy car repaired. And you may well be entitled to another courtesy car while the other is in the garage.

If you’re injured in an accident that’s not your fault while in a courtesy car and you have personal accident cover included in your car insurance, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Otherwise, there are solicitors who can help you make an independent compensation claim.

Is it worth paying extra for courtesy car cover?

Whether it’s worth paying for extra cover depends on your personal circumstances and how much you need your car.

Do you use it to commute to work?
Do you use it to shop for your family?
Do you use it to ferry the kids around to after-school activities?
Would you be able to manage for a few weeks without your car?

It’s worth working out how much it would cost to rent a car while yours is in the garage, then comparing that with the price of extra insurance. Bear in mind that if your car is out of action for several weeks, hiring a rental car instead could end up costing you more.

Choosing a comprehensive car insurance policy that includes courtesy car cover as standard could work out cheaper than adding on extra cover.

What’s the difference between a courtesy car and hire car cover?

Hire car cover tends to be more comprehensive than courtesy car cover, so it usually comes at an additional cost.

With hire car cover:

You may be offered a similar-sized model to your own car – handy if you have a large family car or need a big boot.
You might be able to get the hire car delivered to your home address and collected when you no longer need it.
You can often get a hire car for situations that courtesy car insurance may not cover – for example, if your car is stolen or written off.

But whereas you might get the use of a courtesy car until your own is repaired, there may be a time limit on the use of a hire car – typically 21-28 days.

How do I get an insurance quote that includes courtesy car cover?

If you’re looking for a car insurance quote that includes courtesy car cover as standard, comprehensive car cover is your best bet.

Courtesy car cover isn’t a definite inclusion, though, so check exactly what cover is included before you buy.

One of the best ways to find a good deal on the car cover you need is to shop around.

Start a quote with us, telling us a bit about you, your car and what level of cover you’ll need. Our online comparison service will give you a range of competitive quotes. You’ll be able to check the details of each policy to see if it includes a courtesy car.

Start comparing

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a courtesy car after an accident?

How long it takes to get a courtesy car after an accident depends on your policy. Some insurance providers may offer you one immediately, others may want to assess the damage first.

It might also depend on availability. If your insurance provider or its approved garage has a limited number of courtesy cars, you may have to wait until one becomes available.

How long will I get a courtesy car for?

Usually, you’ll only get a courtesy car for as long as it takes for your car to be repaired. With any luck, this should be within a couple of weeks.

Can I get an electric courtesy car?

Some insurance providers may give you the option of choosing an electric, hybrid, petrol or diesel courtesy car. Others may not offer you a choice, so you’ll have to accept what’s available.

Will I have to pay for a courtesy car?

If your insurance policy includes courtesy-car cover, then no, you won’t need to pay for it unless you’re charged an excess. On top of that, you should only have to pay for the fuel you use.

Will my resident parking permit cover a courtesy car?

If you live in an area with resident parking bays, you’ll need to contact your local council to let them know you have a courtesy car. Most boroughs will give you temporary cover that lets you park your courtesy car in a controlled parking zone.