Question 1

What is credit hire?

Accepted Answer

Credit hire is a service that supplies a like-for-like replacement vehicle to a non-fault driver while their own car is being repaired or replaced. The cost is recovered from the at-fault insurer, so you don't pay upfront.

Question 2

Do I have to pay anything?

Accepted Answer

No. When liability is clear there is no upfront cost to you. We sign a credit hire agreement and recover the charges from the at-fault insurer.

Question 3

How quickly will I get a replacement vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Same day or next working day in most areas. The faster you call, the faster we move.

Question 4

What type of vehicle will I receive?

Accepted Answer

A like-for-like replacement broadly equivalent to your own vehicle, including specialist options like taxis, EVs, and prestige.

Question 5

How long can I keep the hire vehicle?

Accepted Answer

For the reasonable period of repair, or until a fair total-loss settlement is offered if the car is written off, plus a reasonable period to find a replacement.

Question 6

What happens if my car is written off?

Accepted Answer

We continue to provide the hire vehicle until a fair total-loss settlement is made and you have a reasonable window to source a replacement.

Question 7

What if the other insurer offers me a vehicle?

Accepted Answer

You don't have to accept it. The vehicle offered by the at-fault insurer is often not like-for-like and may carry restrictions. Choose the option that suits you.

Question 8

Can I choose my own repair garage?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You are entitled to choose a competent garage to repair your vehicle.

Question 9

Will this affect my insurance premium?

Accepted Answer

Credit hire charges are recovered from the at-fault insurer. Whether your premium changes is determined by your own insurer's policy and the circumstances of the accident, not by using credit hire.

Question 10

What information do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

Your details, the at-fault driver's details, the registration of both vehicles, and a brief account of the accident. We'll guide you through it.

Question 11

How does PurpleSquare work with insurers?

Accepted Answer

We provide direct hire under agreed commercial terms and intervention support, with reporting and named account management tailored to your team.

Question 12

Do you operate under the GTA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Credit hire claims are managed in line with the General Terms of Agreement (GTA) between credit hire organisations and subscribing insurers, with rates and durations applied accordingly.

Question 13

What is your direct hire rate card?

Accepted Answer

Direct hire rates are negotiated per partner and depend on volume, vehicle mix, and service level. Contact us for a tailored quote and SLA proposal.

Question 14

Do you offer intervention on captured claims?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We accept intervention referrals from insurers, validate need-of-hire, and supply a like-for-like vehicle within agreed timescales.

Question 15

What reporting can we expect?

Accepted Answer

Regular MI on hire volumes, average delivery times, hire durations, and recovery performance. Reporting cadence and format are agreed with your account team.

Question 16

How do you handle FNOL?

Accepted Answer

We capture FNOL via phone and digital channels, triage liability and need-of-hire, then dispatch a vehicle immediately. Recovery and repair coordination follow seamlessly.

Question 17

What is your fleet range?

Accepted Answer

Standard cars, commercial vehicles, licensed taxis, EVs and hybrids, and prestige models, available nationwide with same-day or next-day delivery.

Question 18

Are you BVRLA members?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PurpleSquare Hire is a BVRLA member and ICO registered. Compliance and audit trail are built into every hire.

Question 19

How does fleet accident management work?

Accepted Answer

We act as a single point of contact for vehicle incidents — capturing FNOL, dispatching a replacement, coordinating repair, and recovering uninsured losses.

Question 20

What vehicles do you have available for fleet replacement?

Accepted Answer

Standard cars, commercial vehicles (vans, Lutons, 3.5t), licensed taxis, and EV/hybrid options to match the role of the affected vehicle.

Question 21

How quickly can you deliver a replacement?

Accepted Answer

Same day or next working day in most areas. Critical-role vehicles (last-mile, taxi, refrigerated) are prioritised.

Question 22

Do you handle the full claims process?

Accepted Answer

Yes — from FNOL through repair coordination to uninsured loss recovery. You get one named contact for every incident.

Question 23

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on vehicle class, expected volume, and service level. Most fleet accounts are zero-cost at the point of use, with charges recovered from at-fault insurers.

Question 24

Can you invoice us directly for non-recoverable hires?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where a hire is needed outside a recoverable claim (e.g. own-fault incidents or maintenance gaps), we can invoice the fleet directly on agreed terms.

Question 25

Do you provide MI for our broker or insurer?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Standardised monthly reporting on hire volumes, durations, response times, and recovery is included for any fleet account.

Question 26

Do you have plated taxis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We hold licensed taxi and PHV stock and can place a plated vehicle into the licensing authorities we work with most often. Confirm your plate area when you call.

Question 27

Will the vehicle be plated for my licensing authority?

Accepted Answer

Where we hold stock plated for your authority, yes. Where we don't, we'll work with you and the licensing office on the fastest legal route to keep you earning — including transfer plates where permitted.

Question 28

How quickly can I get a replacement?

Accepted Answer

Same day in most areas if you call early. Taxi drivers are prioritised because every day off the road is lost earnings.

Question 29

Can I claim loss of earnings as well?

Accepted Answer

Yes — loss of earnings can be claimed alongside credit hire where liability sits with the other side. We'll guide you through what evidence is needed (booking history, takings records).

Question 30

Do you offer EV or hybrid taxis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many licensing authorities now require ULEZ/CAZ-compliant vehicles. We hold hybrid and EV taxi stock to match.

Question 31

What if I'm a self-employed PHV driver on a platform?

Accepted Answer

Same process. We supply a like-for-like vehicle that meets the platform's age and emissions rules so you can keep accepting jobs.

Question 32

Do you accept solicitor referrals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work directly with solicitors and CMCs nationwide. Send the referral and we'll take it from there — vehicle out, hire pack back to you on request.

Question 33

Do you operate inside the GTA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hires are managed in line with the General Terms of Agreement where the at-fault insurer is a GTA subscriber. Non-GTA hires are run on a recoverable basis with full evidence pack.

Question 34

What evidence pack do you provide?

Accepted Answer

Credit hire agreement, daily rate breakdown, period of hire, mitigation file, basic hire rate evidence, and an impecuniosity statement where relevant. Everything you need to defend the claim.

Question 35

How do you handle need-of-hire and mitigation?

Accepted Answer

We test need-of-hire at first call and document it on file. Mitigation is reviewed throughout the hire and the vehicle is recovered as soon as the claimant's need ends.

Question 36

Can you supply rates evidence for assessment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide rate comparators and BHR evidence on request to support recoverability arguments at assessment.

Question 37

Do you handle impecuniosity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where the claimant cannot reasonably afford an alternative, we capture impecuniosity evidence at the outset and include it in the hire pack.

Frequently Asked Questions

Claimants