Replacement Vehicles After a Non-Fault Accident
A like-for-like vehicle while yours is with us — arranged through our partner, at no cost to you when the accident wasn't your fault.
For most people the worst part of an accident isn't the damage, it's suddenly having no car. School runs, shifts, site visits and the weekly shop don't pause while a bumper is being sprayed. A small courtesy hatchback is fine if you drive a hatchback, but it's no use at all if you tow, carry tools or need seven seats. That's why replacement vehicles on non-fault claims are arranged on a like-for-like basis through our partner rather than from a single pool car sitting on the yard.
Like-for-like, not whatever's spare
Like-for-like means a vehicle broadly equivalent to your own in size, class and usability. An estate for an estate, an automatic if you drive an automatic, a van if you run a van, and a seven-seater if you've got a full car's worth of children. Where your vehicle has a specific function — private hire plating, a tow bar, wheelchair access — that's flagged at the outset so what turns up is actually usable.
Vehicles are delivered locally across Cardiff, Penarth, Barry, Bridgend, Newport and the surrounding South Wales area, often at the same time your car is collected, so there's no gap where you're stranded.
Credit hire and direct hire — the difference
Direct hire is the simpler of the two. The hire is paid for up front by the at-fault insurer, who has accepted liability and agreed to cover it. You drive the car, and there's nothing to settle.
Credit hire is used where liability hasn't yet been admitted or the at-fault insurer hasn't stepped in. The hire company provides the vehicle on credit and then recovers the cost from the at-fault insurer at the end of the claim. You're not asked for payment while you're using it. The important thing to understand is that a credit hire agreement is a contract in your name, so it's worth reading it before signing and asking questions about anything you're not sure of. NASL will explain the terms before anything is agreed.
What it costs you
On a genuine non-fault claim where the other driver's insurer picks up the costs, the replacement vehicle costs you nothing. There's no excess to fund it and no deposit taken. Where liability is disputed or shared, the position can be different, and NASL will set that out plainly before you agree to anything rather than after.
- No cost to you on a non-fault claim
- No deposit or excess to fund the hire
- Delivered and collected locally
- Vans, automatics, seven-seaters and plated vehicles available
- For the duration of the repair, not an arbitrary few days
How it's arranged
You call us about the repair. If the accident was non-fault, we pass the claim to National Accident Support Line, an FCA-regulated claims management company, who arrange the vehicle alongside the claim itself. They deal with the hire paperwork and liaise with the insurers; we get on with repairing your car in Cardiff.
Who does what
CJVS — the repair
We inspect the damage, produce the estimate and carry out the bodywork, paint and refinishing here in Cardiff. Our workmanship is guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle. We're a body shop — we don't handle claims or give legal advice.
National Accident Support Line — the claim
NASL is a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA registration 829991). They handle liability, personal injury through their solicitor panel on a no win no fee basis, replacement vehicles, recovery and storage. Reach them on 0333 212 2730.
Frequently asked questions
Talk to us about your repair
Send photos on WhatsApp or call Chris on 07968 978939. Prefer to see a figure first? Use the Estimatic estimator.
Important information
Chris Jenkins Vehicle Specialist (CJVS) is a vehicle body repair business. We carry out the repair work on your vehicle. We are not a claims management company, we are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and nothing on this page is legal advice.
The claims, personal injury, replacement vehicle, recovery and storage elements described here are provided by National Accident Support Line (NASL), a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA registration number 829991. NASL can be contacted on 0333 212 2730. Personal injury claims are handled through their panel of solicitors on a no win no fee basis.
CJVS works with NASL and may receive a commission for replacement vehicle (credit hire) referrals. This does not add anything to what you pay.
We cannot promise that a claim will succeed, and we do not give figures for compensation. Outcomes, entitlement to a replacement vehicle and whether an excess applies depend on liability and on your own policy terms. NASL will explain the position for your circumstances before anything is agreed.
See our privacy policy for how we handle your information.