Hire car after an accident: what you will be given
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If your accident was not your fault, the hire car you are given through credit hire should be like-for-like with your own — a Golf driver gets a Golf-class hatchback, an SUV driver gets an SUV, a van driver gets a working van. That is the material difference from a standard courtesy car, which is usually a small hatchback regardless of what you drive.
- The replacement is matched to your car's class under the industry group system (classes explained).
- Delivery is typically to your door within one to two working days for common classes (how supply works).
- You get a recent-plate, inspected fleet car with a documented handover condition report.
- The exact models supplied per class are listed in our what you will get series.
What hire car will I get after an accident?
An equivalent car from your vehicle's class — the real models are predictable because fleets standardise: expect Corsa/Polo at small-hatch level, Golf/Focus at medium-hatch, Qashqai/Sportage in compact SUV, 3 Series/A4/C-Class at executive level. Pick your car in the class-by-class series to see the specific supply for your case.
How long can I keep the hire car?
Broadly, for the period your own car is reasonably off the road — until repair or replacement. Hire duration is a claim question rather than a vehicle question; it sits outside this site's vehicle-only scope.
Will the hire car match my own car?
It will match your car's class, not necessarily its badge: the standard is equivalence in size, type and market position. Where an exact-model match is not in fleet, the nearest in-class substitute is supplied — each class page lists what those substitutes actually are, and what you will not be given.
Who delivers the car and where?
The credit hire company delivers to your home or workplace and collects at the end of the hire; handover and hand-back are both documented against a condition report. The mechanics of fleet supply, delivery and hand-back are covered in how credit hire vehicle supply works.
Check your position
Whether you qualify is covered at information level on our eligibility page. To check your own circumstances: Check your eligibility — Nationwide Accident Hire (opens external site) (commercial partner link).
Related reading: Credit hire car vs courtesy car · What is a credit hire vehicle?