Watermans Top Tips for Seeking Genuine Legal Advice
Credit Hire with Watermans
Being involved in an accident that wasn't your fault is a major inconvenience - especially if your vehicle requires a stay in a garage to be repaired.
But who pays for your replacement vehicle?
Professional Approach
Cant thank this company enough and especially John Dillon for his highly professional approach to my accident claim.
Colin, Dispute Resolution Client
The Short of it
You've been in an accident that wasn't your fault -
and now your vehicle needs to be repaired
If you require a replacement vehicle while yours is in the garage,
you may decide to hire from a credit hire organisation
At Watermans, our credit hire solicitors claim the cost of this replacement vehicle
back from the at-fault party's insurance company
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need
and providing straightforward legal advice. It should be that simple.
The Long of it
Credit Hire
What is credit hire?
If you have fallen victim to a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you may have come across the term credit hire. In straightforward terms, credit hire is when a credit hire organisation provides a temporary replacement vehicle for the non-fault party involved in a road traffic accident, while theirs is being repaired in the garage.
Credit Hire Organisation
Why would I hire from a Credit Hire Organisation?
As the non-fault driver involved in the accident, you may find you need a replacement vehicle but can’t afford to hire one. In this case, you may decide to hire from a credit hire organisation. In doing this, you are guaranteed a like-for-like replacement vehicle while yours is in the garage being fixed – at no upfront cost to you. This is important in cases where, for example, you would usually drive a larger vehicle to suit your family and work commitments.
It is likely that you will be referred to a credit hire organisation by your mechanic, or by your solicitor if you are also filling a personal injury compensation claim.
Rental Car
Who pays for my rental car after an accident?
If you are not in a position to pay for a replacement vehicle after an accident that wasn’t your fault, a credit hire organisation can provide you with a replacement vehicle at no cost to you. Whilst you are liable for the rental charges accrued, you will ask the third-party insurer to reimburse you for these and your losses.
This is where a credit hire solicitor comes in. Once your vehicle has been repaired, a credit hire solicitor will work with the credit hire company to claim back the costs of the vehicle hire from the at-fault insurance company.
Credit Hire or Insurance?
Why should I use credit hire instead of claiming through my insurance company?
Using a credit hire organisation to provide your replacement vehicle means that you will be supplied with a like-for-like replacement, as opposed to a standard courtesy car. Provided you are not at fault for the accident, you won’t have to pay any upfront fees if you rent through a credit hire organisation. And, your no claims bonus won’t be affected either.
To enquire further about the credit hire process, and whether you are eligible to make a claim, contact our dedicated credit hire team today on 0131 555 7055, or fill out the form below.
Get in touch with us
Everything we do at Watermans is about getting you the resolution you need and making that process straightforward. Start the process by sending us your details below or calling us on 0131 555 7055
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Our personal injury claims expert
“I enjoy the challenge of putting my clients back in a position they would have been in, had they not been unfortunate to suffer an accident through no fault of their own.”
John Dillon, Head of Dispute Resolution