Accident...& Hire Car

rchddap1

Someone went into the back of my car a week ago and the repairer's put us onto DriveAssist. At first this seemed to be a very good company as they had a hire car on the drive in around 24 hours after we'd spoken to them. However, as per usual we went off to visit family at the weekend using the hire car. Unfortuantely it broke down and we were told that it was un-driveable....so had to get a 'lift' home (only 100 miles).

This morning my OH called driveassist to be told that he needs to talk to the RAC (people who towed us home) and they should give us a replacement car for a couple of days. However, we need to pay £50 to them for the pleasure!

Our car is close to being written off, but our insurance company are still waiting for his insurance company to formally admit liability. At this rate our car will be written off, and we'll lose the hire car well before we get the formal admission (note he's already admitted liability at the scene).

Does anyone have any advice on how we can sort things out...or is it a simple case of having to grin and bear it.

rchddap1

Update: The repairer's have now told us that the car is written off. Does anyone know what happens now with our hire car? Can we wait until we get formal confirmation from our insurance company before we talk to driveassist....and lose our much needed hire car? Or do we have to tell them straight away?

Jazzycat

I'd keep it for now. I know Tesco give youa max of 14 days before you have to pay no matter who is liable for the accident.

if other party are liable and have accepted responsibility then you are able to charge their insurance for all other additional costs associated.

Until then you are in a no-mans land.

Therefore if you need a hire car then you have to pay and claim back through the insurance company. If your insurers have had liability confirmed then they sometimes offer you the hire car and they reclaim the costs. It varies from insurer to insurer. If no libaility has been confirmed and you believe that the other driver was 100% at fault then again you can hire privately and claim when libility is confirmed - a bit of a risk as you may end up paying it yourself if liability is disputed. If you do hire then you are obliged to keep the costs as low as practical though.

Sorry it doesn't help a great deal but you may be able to get a loan car from a garage if they know you will buy one from them when you cheque comes through.

Good luck!