Courtesy vehicles vs hire vehicles: Understanding the difference

What is a courtesy vehicle?
A courtesy vehicle is typically provided by the repairing garage while your own car is being repaired. These vehicles are usually modest, 1-litre manual cars and are not meant to serve as a direct, like-for-like replacement for your original vehicle. The intention is simply to keep you mobile while your car is being fixed, rather than offering a premium or identical alternative.

Courtesy vehicles are usually provided as a complimentary service so free of charge to both the policyholder and the insurer. For Cornish Mutual Members, a courtesy vehicle can be arranged if you select one of our partner repairers, and it is available throughout the repair period.

If you choose to use a repairer which is not a Cornish Mutual partner repairer, we advise asking whether this service is provided.

It’s worth noting courtesy vehicles are not offered if your vehicle is declared a total loss (written off).

What is a hire vehicle?
Hire vehicles differ from courtesy vehicles in several important ways. They are usually like-for-like, aiming to match the size, type and features of your own vehicle. From an insurer’s perspective, there are three main types of hire vehicles:

Private hire: A policyholder arranges to hire a vehicle privately, usually through a company such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the cost is paid directly by the policyholder. Typically, private hire happens if the Cornish Mutual Member is at fault for the incident and requires a like-for-like replacement vehicle.

Insured hire or subrogated hire: The hire vehicle is arranged and paid for by the insurer, regardless of who was at fault. This cover may be available from other insurers, often for an additional premium. Cornish Mutual does not offer this cover as part of any of our policies.

Credit hire: This occurs when an accident management company provides a hire vehicle to a policyholder on credit, typically when the client is not at fault. The insurer may arrange this service through a third party, with costs often recovered from the at-fault party’s insurer.

For Cornish Mutual Members, access to hire vehicles is available through our Legal Expenses cover provided by ARAG, but only in cases where you are involved in a non-fault accident. This gives peace of mind that you can remain mobile when your vehicle is out of action.

Courtesy vs hire vehicles summary
Courtesy vehicles are a complimentary service offered by repairers and are not like-for-like replacements. All Cornish Mutual partner repairers provide courtesy vehicles. If you are using a repairer of your choice, we advise checking if this is a service they provide.

Hire vehicles are intended to match your own vehicle as closely as possible. They may be arranged privately or through your insurance policy, depending on the circumstances.

Cornish Mutual does not offer insured or subrogated hire vehicles, but Members may access hire vehicles via Legal Expenses cover following a non-fault accident. Courtesy and hire vehicles of any type are not available if your car has been written off.

Understanding these differences can help you make the right decision if you ever need a temporary vehicle and to avoid unexpected surprises. If you would like more information about your cover or to discuss your options, please call our Member Services team on 01872 277151 or refer to your policy documents for more information.