Credit Hire: A Like-for-Like Replacement Vehicle After a Non-Fault Accident
Credit hire is a replacement vehicle equivalent to your own, supplied after a non-fault accident with nothing to pay upfront, where the hire charges are recovered from the at-fault driver's insurer rather than from you; National Accident Support Line arranges the vehicle, manages your repair and pursues the cost, so a driver who was not at fault is not left in a three-door hatchback or out of pocket.
Drive a family SUV? Your insurer's courtesy car might be a small hatchback, if one is offered at all. A courtesy car is whatever the garage has spare that day. Credit hire is different: same size, same class, same number of seats, an automatic if you drive an automatic, from a fleet of over 4,000 vehicles across 300-plus models. It is not a perk. If the accident wasn't your fault, it is what the law entitles you to, and the cost sits with the driver who caused it.
No excess to pay if the accident wasn't your fault. Fill in our form and we'll call you back within 2 minutes.
What a non-fault driver is entitled to
A driver who was not at fault for an accident is entitled to be put back in the position they were in before it. In practice that means a replacement vehicle broadly equivalent to their own for the period their own car is genuinely off the road, the repair of the car or its pre-accident value if it is written off, and the other reasonable costs the accident caused. The at-fault driver's insurer pays those costs, which is why a non-fault driver does not need to claim on their own policy or pay their own excess.
A courtesy car is not the same thing. It comes from your own policy or the repairing garage, it is usually a small basic vehicle, it depends on availability, and it is only offered while the car is in for repair, if your policy includes one at all. If your car is a write-off, most policies offer nothing. Credit hire fills that gap for as long as you need it, because the cost is being recovered from the party responsible rather than rationed by your own cover.
What National Accident Support Line does on a credit hire claim
We confirm the accident wasn't your fault before any vehicle is delivered. That step matters more than people realise: a hire that starts on a verified non-fault claim is one the at-fault insurer pays, and it is the reason the cost does not come back to you. Then we deliver a like-for-like vehicle, same class as your own or as close as availability allows, and you sign a credit hire agreement that sets out the daily rate and confirms the charges are pursued from the at-fault insurer, not from you.
From there you have one point of contact for the vehicle, the repair and the claim. We arrange the repair or the total-loss settlement, and we invoice the at-fault driver's insurer for the hire. When liability is accepted you pay nothing. If it is disputed, our in-house recovery team takes over and argues it with the other side's insurer on the evidence, and you stay in the vehicle while they do. We take on disputed cases many companies won't.
Being open about the agreement is part of the job. Credit hire is a credit agreement between you and the hire company, and the Financial Ombudsman Service has written about drivers who were referred into one without understanding it. So we explain it before you sign: what the daily rate is, what happens if the other side disputes fault, and that the only charges that could ever fall to you are ones within your control, such as a fine picked up in the vehicle or keeping it longer than agreed.
Courtesy car, credit hire or direct hire: the difference in one table
| Courtesy car | Credit hire with NASL | Direct hire (normal rental) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who pays? | Your own policy, usually with an excess | The at-fault driver's insurer | You |
| What vehicle? | Whatever the garage has spare | Like-for-like: same class, size and seats where available | Whatever you pay for |
| Upfront cost? | Excess may apply | None | Deposit and rental charges |
| If your car is written off? | Usually nothing | Vehicle until your claim is settled | You keep paying |
| Your no-claims discount? | At risk on a claim | Not used, the claim is against the other driver | Not affected |
| How long? | Repair period only | Until repair or settlement, no fixed limit | As long as you pay |
For the longer version, read credit hire vs a courtesy car.
No excess to pay if the accident wasn't your fault. Fill in our form and we'll call you back within 2 minutes.
The situations drivers describe to us
"The garage gave me a Corsa and I've got three kids and a dog"
The single most common complaint about courtesy cars is that they don't fit the life the driver actually has. Seven seats, a tow bar, a van for a trade, an automatic for a driver who can't use a manual: these are not luxuries, they are what like-for-like means. If the accident wasn't your fault, you don't have to make do.
"My car's still drivable, do I still get a replacement?"
Yes, when it goes in for repair. If the car is safe to drive, we line the replacement up for the repair dates rather than putting you in a hire car while yours sits on the drive, because a hire that isn't needed is one the at-fault insurer will argue about. If the car isn't safe to drive, the replacement comes first.
"I've read that if the other side don't pay, I'm liable"
That is the risk with a credit hire agreement that starts on a shaky claim, and it is why NASL verifies fault before delivering a vehicle. On a verified non-fault claim the charges are pursued from the at-fault insurer, disputes are handled by our recovery team, and the customer's exposure is limited to things within their own control.
"How long will I actually be waiting?"
Our credit hire partners aim to get 80% of non-drivable cases back on the road within 24 hours, and we work to have a replacement with you within 48 hours. Documents, the repair estimate and whether the at-fault insurer admits liability all affect timing, so the sooner you are in touch the sooner it moves.
The replacement vehicle fleet
We provide access to one of the largest hire fleets in the UK, over 4,000 vehicles across 300-plus makes and models, so we can match your vehicle rather than hand you whatever is spare. Standard cars, hatchbacks, saloons and estates for everyday vehicles. Prestige and executive replacements for premium cars, where drivers need to be 25 or over and have held a licence for at least a year. The UK's largest credit hire taxi fleet, over 700 licensed vehicles, for taxi and PCO drivers who need a plated replacement. Like-for-like motorbikes for riders. A growing hybrid and electric fleet.
How credit hire works with National Accident Support Line
You get in touch by the form, WhatsApp or a call to 0333 212 2730, and web enquiries are called back within 2 minutes during opening hours. We confirm the accident wasn't your fault and that you need a replacement. We deliver a like-for-like vehicle and you sign the credit hire agreement, with nothing paid upfront. We recover the hire and repair costs from the at-fault driver's insurer. If you have had a non-fault car accident and want the whole claim handled, from the roadside to the repair, the same team does it.
Recent examples
Bruno's prestige car was hit while parked in London, not drivable, and through no fault of his own. We arranged a like-for-like prestige replacement the same day, managed the repair from start to finish, and recovered the cost from the at-fault driver's insurer. Bruno stayed on the road for the 30 days his car was in repair and paid nothing.
Mehmet was driving in Romford when a third party pulled out of a side road and hit him. His car was off the road through no fault of his own, so we delivered a like-for-like replacement within 48 hours and handled the claim against the at-fault driver's insurer. He kept the replacement for the full 32 days his own car was being repaired, at no cost to him.
Why drivers choose National Accident Support Line
No upfront cost, because the bill is recovered from the at-fault insurer, not from you. Your own insurance is not used, so your no-claims discount is not touched on a straightforward non-fault claim. One call handles recovery, the replacement vehicle, repairs and the claim. An in-house recovery team that takes on disputed-liability cases. A 4,000-plus vehicle fleet, from standard cars to prestige, vans, motorbikes and plated PCO vehicles. Helping drivers since 2015 across England, Scotland and Wales. FCA-regulated for claims management activities. And if the accident was your fault, we will tell you straight and point you to your own insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Will credit hire cost me anything?
No excess to pay if the accident wasn't your fault. You sign a credit hire agreement, but the hire and repair costs are recovered 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.
Do I have to be the not-at-fault driver?
Yes. Credit hire only works when the accident was someone else's fault, because the cost is recovered from their insurer. If the accident was your fault, or fault is shared, we will tell you and point you to your own insurer.
How quickly will I get a replacement vehicle?
Our credit hire partners aim to get 80% of non-drivable cases 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, the replacement is lined up for when it goes in for repair.
Will this affect my own insurance or no-claims bonus?
The claim is pursued against the at-fault driver's insurer rather than under your own policy, so on a straightforward non-fault claim your no-claims bonus is not used. You should still tell your own insurer the accident happened, as most policies require it.
What documents do I need to get started?
Your driving licence, your insurance certificate, photos of the damage, the other driver's details and any evidence from the scene such as dashcam footage or witness names. We will tell you if anything else is needed for your particular claim.
How long can I keep the hire vehicle?
For as long as you genuinely need it, until your car is repaired or your claim is settled. There is no fixed limit, and we keep the claim moving so you are not waiting around.
What if the other driver's insurer disputes the claim?
Our in-house recovery team takes over and argues liability with the other side's insurer on the evidence. You stay in the vehicle while the dispute is dealt with.
Do you provide replacement taxis, PCO vehicles or motorbikes?
Yes. Plated PCO and taxi replacements from a fleet of over 700 licensed vehicles, and like-for-like motorbikes for riders. Both are arranged through the same claim.
No excess to pay if the accident wasn't your fault. Fill in our form and we'll call you back within 2 minutes.
National Accident Support Line Ltd is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activities, registration number 829991.
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.
Recent examples
A like-for-like prestige replacement, same day Bruno’s prestige car was hit while parked in London, not drivable, and through no fault of his own. We arranged a like-for-like prestige replacement the same day, managed the repair from start to finish, and recovered the cost from the at-fault driver’s insurer. Bruno stayed on the road for the 30 days his car was in repair and paid nothing.
Back on the road within 48 hours Mehmet was driving in Romford when a third party pulled out of a side road and hit him. His car was off the road through no fault of his own, so we delivered a like-for-like replacement within 48 hours and handled the claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. He kept the replacement for the full 32 days his own car was being repaired, at no cost to him.
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.