Car written off after collision, what are my options for transport?

[LemograssLollipop]

Asking for advice on options.

Car was involved in a collision and the insurance company is writing it off. They haven't received the photos of the incident yet to review the damage but tell me this is agreed between insurers based on the description of the incident.

We have no other vehicle meaning I can't get to work (2hrs each way on public transport) or take the kids to their clubs. No courtesy vehicle available as car written off.

I am thinking of hiring a car until the settlement is finalised. Is this the most sensible thing to do or any other options I should look at?

Never been in a collision before so have no clue and no family locally to help

Why no courtesy car? Our car was written off in a collision a few years ago. Our insurance provider arranged a courtesy car until we got a replacement.

Find out what category it's written off as sometimes you can still choose to drive it anyway or buy it off them
They write stuff off as simply they cba and not worth it for them.

@GoodkneeBadKnee i was surprised too.
They said the courtesy car is provided by a garage repairing a vehicle but as my vehicle is not being repaired it's not an option for me. I haven't got a substitute vehicle add on on my policy

@Keroppi I think that's exactly it.

They've written it out without even seeing the damage or having anyone assess it. The passenger side wheel and wing took the impact and looked bent. If it's the axle it might be uneconomical to repair but it needs an engineer to look at it

The car is 10 years old but low mileage 70k

What does your policy state?
I know that you can opt out of things like curtesy car to keep the cost down - fingers crossed you didn't!

Check that you can’t get a courtesy car through your insurance. Same happened to a family member recently, car written off, they got a courtesy car and ended up having it for over a month by the time they got the money through and bought a new car.

Will check again. On the renewal email it lists a courtesy vehicle unless there is something in the small print

One of our cars was written off recently, both parties' insurers offered a courtesy car quickly after it happened. We didn't particularly need it, but took it anyway (via our insurer), and it was returned once the claim was settled a couple of weeks later.

So it may be the case you could get a courtesy car via the other party's insurer even if you opted out with yours. I think they have to offer it, but only when their customer's at fault (fingers crossed it wasn't your fault!).

Unfortunately I don't have something called substitute vehicle cover so as my car is deemed a write off they do not provide a car while he claim is finalised.

I didn't realise this was an extra and it all depends on how repairable your car is... lesson learned.

Who's fault was the collision? If it was the other party's, surely you can claim the cost of a hire car from them?

But when DPs car got written off, he was paid out very quickly so if this is the case for you at least you'll have the money to buy another car.

Also make sure the payout is fair and don't be afraid to challenge it if they seem to be lowballing you.