Missing something - when you need to buy a new car

[CharlotteBog]

I have a loan car while my car is with insurers while they decide whether it can be repaired or written off.

It's likely to be written off.
They will send me a cheque, at which point they want the loan car back.
I need to acquire a new car between them confirming mine is a write off and receiving the cheque.
I need a car to do this because I live rurally.

What do people do for the time period when they've had to give the loan car back but not found or bought a new car?

When this happened to me I unfortunately had to hire a car and buy a new one quickly! Was it an accident? If so your insurer might pay?

I had 48 hours after receiving the payout before I had to give the car back. I'd already been to look at a few so it was relatively easy to pick one when I had the cash. Start shopping around now so you get an idea of what you can afford and what you like.

Thanks. I don't think I'm missing anything then.
There's an off chance it might be repaired...it was the garage that told me cost, and it's currently with the insurers. It seems odd to go car shopping (when I'm meant to be working) when I haven't had confirmation, but maybe that's what I need to do.

Go car shopping now. Find a few cars that you would be happy with (in case some get sold between now and you deciding to buy) and then pull the trigger as soon as the insurer does. Get a hire car to cover any gaps.

Put it in a credit card or overdraft then pay off when you get the loan.

Have they given you a specific time period for the loan car to be returned?

Mine let me keep it for a week or so, and in fact I was chasing them to collect it before I went on holiday.

Brilliant update - it IS repairable! I was told yesterday that the repair cost was more than 70% of the value of the car so it was very likely they'd write it off, but I've called them today, he did some digging and told me that they WILL fix it.
I don't know why they told me that yesterday, or maybe the numbers did work in my favour (the repair cost was def 70% more than I paid for the car).

I could cry.

I think that's what I would have had to do. I am working though, and have a conference on Thursday and Friday. I was going to put some feelers out with the garage I bought the car from though.

Normally they ask for the loan car back as soon you receive the settlement (I've been in this situation once before). I remember pleading with the cheque sender to take his time, and to his credit he waited until after the w/e (they called me on a Thursday).

Yeah...I checked my credit card today (I don't use it often) and that would have been an option.

They've changed their mind. It is NOT repairable. I have an email from them saying it is so I will fight it. I'm so upset.