Who credit hire is for
Credit hire is for drivers who were not at fault in a road traffic accident and need a replacement vehicle while their own is being repaired or replaced. It is built around one principle: a non-fault driver should not be left out of pocket or off the road because of someone else’s mistake. That means private motorists, self-employed drivers, taxi drivers, fleet drivers, and anyone else whose day-to-day life depends on having a vehicle.
We also work with solicitors, brokers, and insurance partners referring claimants, and with fleet operators who need a single point of contact when one of their vehicles is taken off the road.
How credit hire works
Credit hire is a recognised legal mechanism in the UK. Rather than paying for a hire car out of your own pocket and trying to claim it back later, you sign a credit hire agreement with us. We supply the vehicle, you keep moving, and we pursue the charges from the at-fault driver’s insurer as part of your claim.
- Call us on 01606 662300 - you speak to a real handler immediately, day or night during cover hours.
- We assess the claim, confirm liability is on the other side, and agree the right like-for-like vehicle for you.
- Vehicle delivered - typically same day, with paperwork done at handover.
- We manage everything else - repair coordination, recovery of charges from the at-fault insurer, and updates throughout.
What’s included
- Like-for-like vehicle: a replacement broadly equivalent to the one you can’t use - including taxis, EVs, prestige, and commercials where applicable.
- Delivery and collection: dropped off and picked up at your home, work, or the garage.
- Comprehensive insurance: fully insured for the duration of the hire.
- No upfront payment: we recover the costs from the at-fault insurer.
- One named handler: from first call to settlement.
Eligibility and what we need from you
To set up a credit hire vehicle quickly we’ll ask for a few details at the first call: your driving licence, contact details, basic information about the accident (date, location, other driver if you have it), and your own vehicle’s make, model, and registration. If a third-party insurer or police reference number is already known, that speeds things up - but it isn’t a blocker.
Credit hire works best when liability clearly sits with the other side. If liability is disputed, we’ll talk you through your options before you sign anything - no pressure, no surprises.
How long can you keep the vehicle?
You can keep the credit hire vehicle for the reasonable period of repair - i.e. however long it takes to fix your car at a competent garage. If the car is written off (a total loss), you keep the hire vehicle until the insurer makes a fair settlement offer plus a reasonable period to source a replacement. We track this carefully so you’re never left guessing about end-of-hire dates.
What happens at the end of the hire
When your own vehicle is back on the road, or your total-loss settlement lands, we arrange collection of the hire vehicle from wherever suits you. Our recovery team continues to pursue the at-fault insurer in the background - you don’t need to chase anything.
Vehicle range
We hold a broad fleet across standard cars, commercial vehicles, licensed taxis, EVs and hybrids, and prestige models. Like-for-like means we match what you actually drive - not the cheapest car on the rack.
Why claimants choose PurpleSquare
- One named handler from first call to settlement.
- Nationwide delivery - typically same day.
- Specialist fleet including taxis, EVs, and prestige.
- Plain-English updates: no jargon, no surprises.
- BVRLA member and ICO registered - the basics done properly.