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Direct Line launches Guaranteed Hire Car cover as standard

5th September 2015 Print

Direct Line Car Insurance has launched its Guaranteed Hire Car cover as standard within its comprehensive car insurance policy, meaning all existing and new customers are entitled to a new standard hatchback sized vehicle from a hire car company.

Recent research by the insurer reveals that half of UK adults are not aware what the difference between a courtesy car and guaranteed hire car is, with two fifths (42 per cent) believing a courtesy car will be newer and in better condition than their existing car.

In fact, a courtesy car tends to be an older vehicle in poorer condition, as it is one which is provided by the repairer and is based on whatever they have available - which may be nothing at all, as many courtesy car offerings are subject to availability. A hire car, however, is sourced by the insurer from a hire car company, so is likely to be either nearly new or brand new.

Direct Line now offers all its customers with a comprehensive car insurance policy guaranteed hire car cover, until their car is fixed if using an approved repairer, or for up to 21 consecutive days when using their own garage (or if the claim is for a stolen or written off car). All of Direct Line’s existing comprehensive insurance customers will receive guaranteed hire car cover as part of their policy at no extra cost from today.

When compared to competitors, many offer a courtesy car only while the existing car is being fixed, whereas Direct Line offers customers whose cars are non-driveable a hire car in advance of repair assessment, provided by hire car experts, rather than the repairer.

Gus Park, director of motor at Direct Line said: “Our Guaranteed Hire Car proposition is market-leading. Not only does it come as standard (meaning customers don't have to pay extra), it also provides a hire car not a courtesy car, and customers qualify for it in circumstances where they wouldn't under many other courtesy car offerings. The last thing a customer wants when something happens to their vehicle is to find out that their courtesy car provision actually doesn’t entitle them to a guaranteed replacement car at all.”