Top Tips - Guaranteed hire car

1. Cover yourself

Worried you may be without transport if your car is out of action due to a fire, theft or accident claim? If you already have Comprehensive cover, for a small extra premium Direct Line can supply you with a guaranteed hire car for up to 14 consecutive days whilst your vehicle is off road as a result of a claim (excludes windscreen/glass claims).

2. Avoid the queues

Research shows that hiring a car can be stressful, especially if you don’t have time to plan ahead. Direct Line Guaranteed Hire Car can help you avoid the queues and the hassle of arranging a hire car, by us doing it for you.

3. Prepare for the worst

Unfortunately, Home Office reports continue to highlight car crime as an ongoing issue. Investing in Guaranteed Hire Car can help to make sure you don’t get stuck without a car if the worst happens to you.

4. Avoid commuter hell

If you’re used to travelling by car, taking public transport while your claim is sorted can be extra stressful. One study even shows that commuters can experience greater stress than fighter pilots going into battle! (Dr David Lewis Nov 2004).

5. Plan ahead

To benefit from Guaranteed Hire Car, you will need to purchase it, for a small extra premium, before making a claim.

6. Don’t compromise on comfort

If you need to hire a car in a hurry, you may have to compromise on the quality. With Direct Line Guaranteed Hire Car, all cars are fully serviced hire cars – a small hatchback or similar – and less than three years old.

7. Just a call away

With all Direct Line Motor cover, the Accident Recovery Helpline on 0800 269 015 is open 24 hours a day – so if you have Guaranteed Hire Car cover, you can submit your request for alternative transport at any time.

8. Collecting your hire car

Normally when collecting a hire car you usually make your own way to the garage, you may encounter delayed trains or buses or you might find you get yourself lost trying to find the garage which can be stressful. However with Direct Line’s Guaranteed Car Hire, we will pick you up and take you directly to the garage for you to collect your hire car.

(In exceptional circumstances we may not be able to pick you up and take you to your hire car. Also in some extreme instances we may not be able to provide a car so will pay your travel costs up to £15 a day over 14 days following your claim.)

9. Cover for your hire car too

Not only can hiring a car privately be expensive, but if an accident happens it can seriously bump up costs too. With Guaranteed Hire Car, the car we provide is covered under the usual terms of your policy, so there's no added stress for you.

For more information, please see our policy extras.