Car insurers that provide like-for-like courtesy cars?

Herzlos

It's car insurance renewal time, and I didn't normally bother with courtesy cars as we didn't strictly need one but now we do.

So we've got a 7 seater MPV due to having kids with disabilities, and we couldn't even get the kids or the wheelchairs into the last courtesy car (Vauxhall Corsa), so that was a waste of time.

Does anyone have recommendations of insurers that'd provide at least an MPV sized courtesy car, either standard or as an upgrade?

DullGreyGuy

Many mainstream insurers offer it as an optional extra however be aware that these are hire cars rather than traditional courtesy cars and most have a maximum number of days of hire from 14 to 28 after which the car has to go back irrespective of if your car is ready or not. 


The below are just some of the many that do:
Direct Line (and sister brands like Churchill)
Aviva (limited to 5 seats)
Axa 
Admiral (and sister brands like Elephant)
Hastings (promises to match engine size)
LV=
esure (and sister brands)

In fact, of the biggest  players More Th<n is the only one that I can see that doesnt obviously offer a hire car option. 

EssexExile

LV= claim to offer "similar size" but seem to have a wide interpretation of the word "similar". We were given a Qashqai when our Volvo XC60 was being repaired. They are in different groups at Enterprise, who supplied the car, luckily we didn't need it for long.

Herzlos

EssexExile said:

LV= claim to offer "similar size" but seem to have a wide interpretation of the word "similar". We were given a Qashqai when our Volvo XC60 was being repaired. They are in different groups at Enterprise, who supplied the car, luckily we didn't need it for long.

I was curious as to how they'd define similar sized, but it seems they call it similar sized on the main page and then in the details refer to it as "medium family sized car with 5 doors or a 7 seater.". A Quashqai would certainly be a medium family sized car, but it's definitely not a similar size to an XC60.

I suspect we'd be screwed with that option too as whilst we need only technically need 5 seats, we need the extra space from something 7 seater sized for the chairs.

DullGreyGuy

Traditionally it was done on engine size, as Hastings still promise, and secondary was number of seats and doors etc. 

I spent most my time dealing with third party claims and so it was less about policy terms but balancing need with claim mitigation etc... thankfully most were reasonable but did get the occasional person who argued an Audi wasnt a suitable replacement for a BMW for the 3-4 days of a repair. 

There are high net worth insurers who offer a true like for like replacement but many of those are only sold to those that are buying High Net Worth Home insurance  etc

Herzlos

Sadly I can believe that people would complain that the badge isn't suitable for a short term arrangement, but given the role is to ensure temporary mobility I'd hope most people would move beyond it.

I'm certainly not bothered about a vehicle of comparable status, just something that'll be usable for the interim, and that's a 5+ seater with a huge boot.

DullGreyGuy

Herzlos said:

Sadly I can believe that people would complain that the badge isn't suitable for a short term arrangement, but given the role is to ensure temporary mobility I'd hope most people would move beyond it.

I'm certainly not bothered about a vehicle of comparable status, just something that'll be usable for the interim, and that's a 5+ seater with a huge boot.

They are... from memory it was something like a 320i M Sport and he said Porsche or Lamborghini would be the only suitable alternative marks if a BMW wasnt available... 

In reality insurers will have a deal with Enterprise or equivalent with a maximum daily spend it then somewhat comes down to what your local branch has in stock and deciding out of the options which is closest... they may assume you have a 7 seater so need a 7 seater but a conversation can clarify that actually a 5 seat estate may be better suited for you than one of smaller 7 seaters which have modest boot space. 

jimbo6977

Engine size is an increasingly poor indicator of vehicle type. One litre Focus Estate?

DullGreyGuy

jimbo6977 said:

Engine size is an increasingly poor indicator of vehicle type. One litre Focus Estate?

1.6L AMG One? 

Herzlos

DullGreyGuy said:

Herzlos said:

Sadly I can believe that people would complain that the badge isn't suitable for a short term arrangement, but given the role is to ensure temporary mobility I'd hope most people would move beyond it.

I'm certainly not bothered about a vehicle of comparable status, just something that'll be usable for the interim, and that's a 5+ seater with a huge boot.

They are... from memory it was something like a 320i M Sport and he said Porsche or Lamborghini would be the only suitable alternative marks if a BMW wasnt available... 

I can see the similarities, so I don't blame them!

If it's all done via rental companies and there's presumably an option to pay the difference then that may not be too bad.

DullGreyGuy

Herzlos said:
If it's all done via rental companies and there's presumably an option to pay the difference then that may not be too bad.

That would be between you and the hire company... you can probably guess that insurers dont pay the rack rate when they're hiring thousands of cars a day. What the hire car company would quote for the upgrade and if they can deal with the split billing may be a challenge. 

Most use the big boys like Enterprise, I'd question if they'd be willing to deal with split billing especially when the insurer paid element is just dealt with by a monthly bordereau for all vehicles rather than individual invoices. If they use a smaller outfit they may be more willing to be flexible. 

The other route is always having a friendly garage that provides a suitable courtesy car... when we had a merc they were always offering reasonable replacements and not just A class. That does leave you exposed to cases of stolen vehicle or total loss where the garage isnt involved.