Being involved in a motoring incident is stressful enough without the added worry of losing your transport. If your car is written off or undriveable, getting to work or managing the daily routine can suddenly become a major challenge. This is exactly where a Guaranteed Hire Vehicle policy from One Insurance Limited steps in to help.
To make things simple, let us look at the two different levels of cover available so you can decide which one is right for you.
Option 1:
28 Day Guaranteed Hire Vehicle Cover
This hire vehicle cover policy is designed to keep you on the road when you have a fault claim incident, and your own insurer cannot provide a replacement vehicle.
The Advantages
- You receive a temporary hire vehicle up to a maximum engine size of 2000cc.
- You are covered for a maximum period of 28 days.
- If a hire vehicle cannot be provided within three working days, you will receive a cash settlement of £25 per day, up to a maximum of £525 per claim.
- The replacement vehicle is delivered directly to the policyholder between Monday and Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm.
- The hire car is insured to be driven by the policyholder and any named drivers already on the policy.
Important Details to Keep in Mind
- While the policy covers drivers of all ages and licence types, you must be at least 21 years of age and hold a full UK or EU driving licence to be provided with a hire vehicle. If you do not meet these criteria, you will receive a cash settlement instead.
- A refundable £60 deposit is required when arranging the vehicle, and you must hold a credit or debit card.
- You are limited to a maximum of three claims during your period of cover, after which the policy will be cancelled.
- If your own motor insurer is able to provide you with a replacement vehicle or courtesy car, you must accept their vehicle and return the Guaranteed Hire Vehicle.
- If you need to make a claim for an incident that happens while driving the hire vehicle, there is a minimum £500 excess.
- Pets are strictly not allowed inside the hire vehicles.
- The policy will not cover every day driving expenses such as fuel, fares, fines, or fees.
- This cover does not apply to windscreen claims.
Option 2:
Guaranteed Hire Vehicle Plus
This upgraded hire vehicle cover policy offers the exact same protection as the 28-day cover but provides a significantly longer safety net.
The Advantages
- You receive the same temporary hire vehicle up to 2000cc.
- The crucial difference is that cover is extended to a maximum period of 90 days.
- It includes the same cash settlement alternative of £25 per day (up to £525) if a vehicle cannot be provided within three working days.
Important Details to Keep in Mind
- All the same rules apply to the Plus policy: you must be over 21, provide a £60 refundable deposit, and adhere to the three-claim limit.
- The restrictions regarding the £500 excess, no pets allowed, and exclusions for fuel or fines are identical to the standard cover.
Policy in Action
Imagine you are involved in a traffic accident, and your vehicle is severely damaged and undriveable. Your standard motor insurer confirms they do not have a vehicle available to provide to you.
You simply call One Call Claims on 0203 738 7300 to report the incident. As long as your claim is accepted, a vehicle up to 2000cc is arranged and delivered to you. You pay your £60 refundable deposit and can now continue your normal routine.
If you chose the standard policy, you can keep the hire vehicle for up to 28 days. If you chose the Plus policy, you have the peace of mind of keeping it for up to 90 days. Both policies will naturally end earlier if your claim is settled or your car repairs are completed sooner.
Next Steps
Making sure you have the right backup plan can save you a tremendous amount of stress and disruption. Take a moment to review your current motor insurance policy and consider how you would manage without your vehicle. If you would like to add either the standard or the Plus Guaranteed Hire Vehicle option to your cover, speak to your insurance broker today to discuss your options.
