It is never fun being involved in a car accident, and the problems only increase when you find out that your car has been written off. No one wants to receive that notification from their insurance company. If this has happened to you, you might be wondering what your options are, and particularly whether or not you are going to be able to get a courtesy car. The choices you have completely depend upon the circumstances of the accident.
What is car write off?
Simply put, a care writeoff means that you are not going to be able to get your car back from the insurance company after being involved in an accident. The company will keep your car, no repairs will be rendered, and you will be compensated somewhat for the loss of your vehicle. This usually happens when the car has been so badly damaged during the accident that it would be much too costly (or, in some cases, impossible) to repair it enough to get it back on the road again. The condition of your car must be assessed by an insurance-appointed inspector before the final verdict can be rendered.
Can I get a courtesy car?
If you were not deemed “at fault” for the accident, you are immediately entitled to a courtesy car when your vehicle is written off. The courtesy car is provided at no cost to you, and your insurance company will not be charged for the car either. Instead, the insurer of the at fault party pays the entire fee for the courtesy car. When this happens, you will be allowed to keep the courtesy car for the entirety of the time until the settlement from the at fault insurance company is received, or the company provides proof that the settlement has been paid out to you.
If you are at fault for the accident, on the other hand, you may not be entitled to a courtesy car. In this situation, your insurance company is the at fault insurer, and will not usually pay for you to have a car to use. There are instances where this is not true, however; sometimes, your insurance policy might include the use of a courtesy car for a set period of time even if you are the at fault driver. If you are unclear on these specifications, contact your provider directly to find out if you qualify.
When your car is written off, you may panic, but you have options. There are ways to get you back behind the wheel of a vehicle while you try to figure out what to do to replace your own, and a courtesy car is one of the best methods of providing you a sense of security in such a trying and difficult time. Remember that if you are not at fault, you can have a courtesy car immediately, at no out of pocket cost to you. Do not be afraid to speak to your insurance provider about this alternative.
