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

diystarter7

I've driven for around 40 years and always had my own car and the last 25 years or so as we had children I've always gone for the courtesy car.  The last 10/15 years I've noted the option to "upgrade" this. However, be aware its often onl a mid sized salon EG Ford Focus or similar-sized cars. Not even sure if you get an automatic as many youngsters these days just take the auto box driving test.

Next door who have a big SUV were involved in an accident 3/5 years ago and when their car went in for repairs, they got a Nissan Micra, the bloke was shocked. I too was shocked as even I assumed it would be a larger like for like or close but he did not have the enhanced element. The enhanced element I have looked into varies from insuer to insurer but I'm not a hundred percent sure if you get an auto like all of our cars and almost every one we now have an automatic as even smaller cars now eletric se are auto,

DullGreyGuy

diystarter7 said:

I've driven for around 40 years and always had my own car and the last 25 years or so as we had children I've always gone for the courtesy car.  The last 10/15 years I've noted the option to "upgrade" this. However, be aware its often onl a mid sized salon EG Ford Focus or similar-sized cars. Not even sure if you get an automatic as many youngsters these days just take the auto box driving test.

Next door who have a big SUV were involved in an accident 3/5 years ago and when their car went in for repairs, they got a Nissan Micra, the bloke was shocked. I too was shocked as even I assumed it would be a larger like for like or close but he did not have the enhanced element. The enhanced element I have looked into varies from insuer to insurer but I'm not a hundred percent sure if you get an auto like all of our cars and almost every one we now have an automatic as even smaller cars now eletric se are auto,

A traditional courtesy car is given by the garage themselves, the insurer doesnt explicitly pay for it but in theory its built into the labour rate (our engineers used to say its an extra £1/hr if a courtesy car is to be provided). This means you are at the mercy of 1) if the garage has any space cars  2) what cars the garage has chosen to buy and 3) that your car is repairable... there are many circumstances where you can end up without any courtesy car such as a clear total loss or stolen not recovered etc. Clearly most bodyshops have bought whatever the cheapest thing is so often micra/corsa sized things. 

Most insurers only entertain an automatic if you have an automatic license, if you have a full license then its what the hire car company has so it could be an auto but more likely not. 

PS. electric can be driven by those with an auto license but most aren't auto as they have a single transmission and no gear box at all

EssexExile

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.

In my case it's not about the badge, it's about being physically able to get in and out of the car. A Skoda Yeti would be fine, a Qashqai not fine.

Herzlos

EssexExile 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.

In my case it's not about the badge, it's about being physically able to get in and out of the car. A Skoda Yeti would be fine, a Qashqai not fine.

I was referring to DullGreyGuys comment about an Audi not being a suitable replacement for a base level BMW. I'm in the same camp of not caring less about the badge as long as it works.

But having owned a Yeti for years, and having rented a Qashqai a few times I can't see how the Yeti would be any better for access unless it's a height or boot shape thing?

EssexExile

Herzlos said:

EssexExile 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.

In my case it's not about the badge, it's about being physically able to get in and out of the car. A Skoda Yeti would be fine, a Qashqai not fine.

I was referring to DullGreyGuys comment about an Audi not being a suitable replacement for a base level BMW. I'm in the same camp of not caring less about the badge as long as it works.

But having owned a Yeti for years, and having rented a Qashqai a few times I can't see how the Yeti would be any better for access unless it's a height or boot shape thing?

It's a height and bendiness thing - I'm tall but I don't bend much! To be honest I've never tried a Yeti but it looks like the shape of car I could get into! When I bought the Volvo I went through loads of cars to find one that I fitted in to, I couldn't have the old XC60 but the new one is fine.

Herzlos

I loved our Yeti until we outgrew it, but being pretty tall it was definitely a climb down into car, though had lots of space and headroom. The Qashqai I think sits a bit higher so may be a bit easier to get in and out of.

Changing from a Sportage to a Yeti resulted in a few weeks of bumping my head trying to get kids into the car seats whilst I adjusted to the height difference.