Courtesy car insurance

Key takeaways

• A courtesy car is a temporary vehicle provided by garages or insurers while your car is being repaired

• Courtesy cars are often included in fully comprehensive car insurance policies but can be added as an optional extra for an additional fee

• Hire car cover is more comprehensive than courtesy car cover, offering a replacement vehicle if your car is stolen or written off

What is a courtesy car?

A courtesy car is a temporary vehicle provided by a garage or insurer while your car is being repaired. It ensures you're not left stranded while your own car is off the road.

So, if you’re reliant on a car for essential journeys such as getting to and from work or doing the school run then it’s worth finding out if your car insurance policy includes courtesy car cover and considering adding it if it doesn’t.

What is courtesy car insurance?

If you have fully comprehensive car insurance, it’s more likely than not that a courtesy car will be included in your policy. However, it's not a guarantee so it's essential to check your policy document.

If you have third-party, fire and theft car insurance or if a courtesy car isn’t included with your fully comprehensive cover, you might be able to include it as an optional add-on.

There will be an extra cost but it could save you the cost of hiring a temporary car if your vehicle needs to be repaired.

What exclusions are there with courtesy car insurance cover?

To get a courtesy car you must use your insurer’s approved garage network. Other restrictions to look out for include:

• Driver age: there may be a minimum or maximum age

• Length of time you can have the courtesy car for

• Licence requirements: provisional licence holders may not be allowed to drive a courtesy car

There are certain scenarios where a courtesy car may not be provided:

• If your car is written off

• If your car is stolen

• If your car only has minor damage, such as a chipped windscreen

• If you have a car accident outside the UK

However, some insurers give you the option to upgrade your courtesy car cover to make sure a car is provided when your is written off or stolen.

What type of courtesy car will be provided?

The type of courtesy car you'll get is usually at the discretion of the garage handling your repairs. In most cases, expect a small hatchback.

Some insurance policies promise a 'like-for-like' vehicle, meaning it will be a similar size and type to your own vehicle, but to get this you will usually need to pay an additional cost to upgrade your courtesy car cover.

If you drive an electric vehicle then you may not get an electric courtesy car as some garages only have petrol and diesel courtesy cars.

A courtesy car is unlikely to be adapted to any special needs or disability. In those circumstances, your insurer may pay you a certain amount per day instead of providing a courtesy car.

Who is insured to drive a courtesy car?

If your courtesy car is included in your insurance, your insurer should automatically cover you to drive it.

Most insurers will also cover anyone who’s included in your insurance to drive a courtesy car. So if you have named drivers, they should be insured too. Check your car insurance policy to be sure.

If the courtesy car isn’t provided through your insurance then separate temporary cover is necessary. You still need insurance to drive a courtesy car as driving any car without insurance is illegal.

If you weren’t at fault in an accident you may be able to claim for a courtesy car through the other driver’s car insurance.

What happens if I crash a courtesy car?

If you have an accident in your courtesy car and you have a fully comprehensive policy, your insurance will cover the damages, and you'll likely to receive another courtesy car. Just remember that you'll still have to pay your excess for the repairs.

On the other hand, if you have third-party cover, the situation is more complex. You may only be able to claim a courtesy car if the other driver is at fault. If the accident was your fault, a courtesy car might only be available if you've added it to your insurance as an extra.

Remember that if you have a crash in a courtesy car you will need to declare it when you next take out car insurance.

Do courtesy cars have telematics?

Yes, to promote responsible driving, some garages or dealerships may install black boxes in their vehicles.

Garages have a vested interest in ensuring their courtesy cars are treated well and telematics devices can track how the car is driven, encouraging you to drive safely even in a car that isn't your own.

How much does courtesy car cover cost?

Adding courtesy car cover to your insurance can cost up to £50, but it's often included for free in many comprehensive policies.

If your car is in the garage for weeks or more, that could save you hundreds of pounds on a hire car.

Remember that you will still need to pay for the fuel you use in a courtesy car.

How to choose the right courtesy car policy

When selecting a policy with courtesy car cover read the policy document in full so you know exactly what you’re getting. A few questions to keep in mind include:

• How long will I get to keep the courtesy car for? Is there a maximum number of days?

• Will I get a courtesy car if my vehicle is stolen or written off?

• Am I guaranteed to get a ‘like-for-like’ courtesy car – one that’s broadly similar to my normal car?

• Will I have to get a courtesy car from approved repairers?

Courtesy car vs hire car cover

A courtesy car is typically provided after a claim is accepted and for the duration of repairs at an approved garage.

In contrast, hire car cover is more comprehensive than standard courtesy car cover, offering a replacement vehicle even if your car is stolen or written off.

You may also get a similar car to your own. However, you need to check how long you are covered to have a hire car for.

Does breakdown cover include a courtesy car?

No, standard breakdown cover doesn’t usually include a courtesy car. However, if you add ‘onward travel’ this usually gives you the option of a courtesy car or hire car, or money for public transport or a hotel if your car can’t be fixed at the roadside.

Getting a car insurance quote with courtesy car cover

With MoneySuperMarket, finding insurance that caters to your needs, including courtesy car cover, is straightforward. When you compare quotes, you can easily identify what's included in a policy, what's not, and what additional options are available to you.

Simply tell us a little about yourself and the car you want to insure, and we’ll put together a list of quotes tailored to your needs. You’ll even be able to filter your results to only show policies that include a courtesy car.