When a non-fault accident forces your taxi off the road, you are faced with a choice: claim through your own comprehensive insurance, wait for the at-fault driver's insurance, or use a Credit Hire organization like Taxi Claims Scotland.
For professional drivers, the choice is clear, but understanding why is essential.
What is a Standard Insurance Courtesy Car?
Standard insurance policies usually include a 'courtesy car' provision. However, the fine print almost always specifies a "small, class A hatchback" subject to availability.
Crucially, these vehicles are not plated for taxi or private hire use. They cannot legally be used for hire and reward. Accepting one means you are grounded, losing income every day your actual taxi is being repaired.
What is Credit Hire?
Credit Hire is a legally recognized framework designed specifically for situations where you need a specialized replacement vehicle following a non-fault accident.
Instead of waiting for insurers to argue over liability, a Credit Hire company provides you with a like-for-like replacement vehicle immediately, "on credit".
How Credit Hire Benefits Taxi Drivers
- Immediate Dispatch: Because we don't have to wait for the at-fault insurer's authorization, we can deliver a fully plated, fully insured taxi within hours.
- Like-for-Like Vehicles: You receive a vehicle that matches your current earning capacity (e.g., a WAV for a WAV, an Exec for an Exec).
- Zero Upfront Costs: You do not pay for the rental. You sign a credit agreement, and we use our specialist legal team to recover the total rental cost directly from the at-fault driver's insurance company.
- No Excess & Protected NCB: Because you are not claiming on your own policy, you don't pay your excess, and your No Claims Bonus remains fully intact.
At Taxi Claims Scotland, our credit hire agreements are fully transparent and compliant with the GTA (General Terms of Agreement), ensuring you are protected while we fight to get you back on the road.