By: 3 September 2015
Direct Line launches guaranteed hire car feature for all policyholders

Direct Line is to offer guaranteed hire car cover as a standard feature of its car insurance policy.

As a result all existing and new customers are entitled to a new standard hatchback sized vehicle from a hire car company should they need a replacement car, for no extra cost. The hire car will be available to Direct Line policyholders until their car is fixed if using an approved repairer, or for up to 21 consecutive days when using their own garage.

Direct Line said that 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, Direct Line said, is sourced by the insurer from a hire car company, so is likely to be either nearly new or brand new.

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.”