Credit & Direct Hire
Credit Hire: A Like-for-Like Replacement Vehicle After a Non-Fault Accident — at No Cost to You
Had an accident that wasn’t your fault? You shouldn’t be left without a car or out of pocket. With credit hire, National Accident Support Line puts you back on the road in a vehicle that matches your own, and recovers the cost directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer. No upfront payment. No hit to your own insurance in normal cases. Just a like-for-like car, fast.
What is credit hire?
Credit hire is a service that gives a not-at-fault driver a temporary, like-for-like replacement vehicle after an accident — without paying anything upfront. An accident management company like NASL provides the vehicle on credit, then recovers the hire charges directly from the at fault driver’s insurer. If your car is damaged or written off and the accident wasn’t your fault, credit hire keeps you mobile while your vehicle is repaired or your claim is settled.
It’s different from claiming on your own policy: the cost is pursued against the person responsible for the accident, so in normal cases your premium and no claims bonus stay protected. If you’ve had a non-fault accident, see how we handle the full claim.
How credit hire works
It’s three simple steps, and we handle the heavy lifting:
- 1. You get in touch — call, request a callback, or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm the accident wasn't your fault and that you need a replacement vehicle.
- 2. We deliver a like-for-like vehicle — same class as your own, or as close as possible, from a fleet of over 4,000 vehicles. You pay nothing upfront and sign a credit hire agreement.
- 3. We recover the cost — we invoice the at-fault driver's insurer for the hire and arrange your repairs or totalloss settlement. When liability is accepted, you don't pay a penny.
Throughout, you have one point of contact for your vehicle, your repairs and your claim. Start your enquiry now.
Will I have to pay anything?
In almost all cases, no. You sign a credit hire agreement, but we recover the hire and repair costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer, and we stand behind you for the whole claim.
The only charges that could ever fall to you are things within your control — for example, a parking or speeding fine you pick up while driving the replacement, or keeping the vehicle longer than agreed. Beyond that, our customers don’t pay for their replacement vehicle.
And if the other side’s insurer disputes who was at fault? Our in-house recovery team takes over and fights to get liability accepted and the costs paid — something they do, and win, regularly. You stay on the road while we deal with the dispute.
Credit hire vs a courtesy car — what's the difference?
A courtesy car is usually a small, basic loaner from a garage, offered only while your car is being repaired — if it’s offered at all. A credit hire vehicle is like-for-like: the same class as your own car (a van for a van, a prestige car for a prestige car), for as long as you genuinely need it, at no cost to you because the at-fault insurer pays.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you don’t have to settle for a basic courtesy car. You’re entitled to a replacement that actually fits your life.
Credit hire vs direct hire
You may also come across the term direct hire. With direct hire you pay for the rental yourself — it’s standard car rental, with no recovery from an insurer. Credit hire is for non-fault drivers who shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistake: you get the vehicle now, and we recover the cost from the party responsible.
Our replacement vehicle fleet
We provide access to one of the largest hire fleets in the UK — over 4,000 vehicles across 300+ makes and models — so we can match your vehicle, not just hand you whatever’s spare:
- Standard cars — hatchbacks, saloons and estates to match your everyday vehicle
- Prestige & executive — premium and high-spec replacements (drivers must be 25+ and have held a licence for at least a year)
- Taxi & PCO — the UK's largest credit hire taxi fleet, with 700+ licensed vehicles
- Motorbikes — like-for-like replacements for riders
- Hybrid & electric — a growing low-emission fleet
Every replacement is matched to your own vehicle as closely as possible
Drive a taxi or PCO vehicle?
If you’re a private-hire or PCO driver, time off the road means lost income. We’ll arrange a fully licensed replacement so you can keep working while your own vehicle is repaired. Learn more about PCO and taxi replacement vehicles.
Ride a motorbike?
We provide like-for-like replacement motorbikes too, so non-fault riders aren’t left stranded. More on motorbike accident support.
How quickly will I get a replacement vehicle?
Fast. If your car can’t be driven, our credit hire partners aim to get 80% of customers back on the road within 24 hours, and we work to have a replacement with you within 48 hours. If your car is still drivable, we’ll line up your replacement for when it goes in for repair.
A few things can affect timing — how quickly we receive your documents, the repair estimate from the garage, and whether the at-fault insurer admits liability — so the sooner you’re in touch, the sooner we can move.
How long can I keep the vehicle?
For as long as you genuinely need it — until your car is repaired or your claim is settled. There’s no fixed limit, though we’ll keep your claim moving so you’re not waiting around.
Why choose National Accident Support Line?
- No upfront cost — we recover the bill from the at-fault insurer, not you
- Your own insurance is normally protected — the claim is pursued against the party at fault
- One call handles everything — recovery, replacement vehicle, repairs and your claim
- An in-house recovery team that fights disputed-liability cases and wins
- A 4,000+ vehicle fleet — genuine like-for-like, from standard cars to prestige, vans, motorbikes and PCO
- Trusted since 2015, delivering across England, Scotland and Wales
- FCA-regulated (claims management activities)
Frequently Asked Questions
In almost all cases, no. You sign a credit hire agreement, but we recover the hire and repair costs from the at fault driver’s insurer. The only charges that could fall to you are things within your control, such as fines you incur while driving the vehicle or returning it later than agreed.
Yes. Credit hire is for drivers who weren’t at fault. If liability isn’t yet clear or is disputed, get in touch anyway — our recovery team will assess and fight your corner
If your car can’t be driven, we aim to have a like-for-like replacement with you within 24–48 hours. If it’s still drivable, we’ll arrange the replacement for when it goes in for repair.
Normally no — because the claim is pursued against the at-fault driver’s insurer, not your own policy. We’ll still recommend letting your own insurer know about the accident for their records.
Your driving licence (front and back), your V5 logbook, photos of the damage, a recent proof of address (within three months), your insurance certificate, and any supporting evidence such as dashcam footage, CCTV or witness details.
For as long as you genuinely need it — until your vehicle is repaired or your claim is settled. There’s no fixed limit.
Our in-house recovery team takes over, pursues the at-fault insurer, and works to get liability accepted and the costs recovered, while you stay on the road.
Yes. We have the UK’s largest credit hire taxi fleet, provide fully licensed PCO replacements so drivers can keep working, and offer like-for-like motorbikes for riders.
We deliver replacement vehicles across England, Scotland and Wales.
