Contracting party
Identify the hire company, who is liable under the agreement and which charges are being deferred.
Home Non Fault Accident Claims Credit Hire
Understanding credit hire after a non-fault accidentCredit Hire After a Non-Fault Accident
Understanding credit hire after a non-fault accident. The guidance keeps a clear boundary between coordination and external decisions.
Credit hire agreement review
Contracting partyIdentify the hire company, who is liable under the agreement and which charges are being deferred
Need and durationKeep evidence of why a vehicle is required and why the hire period remains reasonable
Recovery riskAsk what the agreement says if the other side disputes liability, rate, duration or payment
Clear decision boundarySterling can coordinate the vehicle need and supplier communication, but it does not guarantee that hire charges will be recovered from another party
What to check before accepting credit hire
Evidence and decisions that shape the claim
Need and duration
Keep evidence of why a vehicle is required and why the hire period remains reasonable.
Recovery risk
Ask what the agreement says if the other side disputes liability, rate, duration or payment.
Costs and terms to clarify
What to clarify before accepting a service
‘Free car’ wording
Credit hire involves charges and contractual obligations even when recovery from another party is expected.
Unrestricted duration
Continuing hire after repair or settlement can create a dispute.
Ignoring changed liability
The agreement should explain the customer’s position if responsibility is not accepted as expected.
Responsibility boundary: Sterling can coordinate the vehicle need and supplier communication, but it does not guarantee that hire charges will be recovered from another party.
What a non-fault review needs
Understanding credit hire after a non-fault accident
Credit hire can provide a temporary vehicle under a separate contract where another party may be responsible, but it is not simply another name for a free courtesy car. The customer should understand the daily charges, evidence of need, insurance, cooperation duties and what may happen if liability or recovery of charges is disputed.
Related guides: credit-hire breakdowns; damage to a credit-hire vehicle; returning a credit-hire car; changing your hire company.
This page is for a motorist offered a credit-hire vehicle who wants the commercial arrangement explained before signing.
If the third-party insurer later challenges the bill, read our guide to disputed credit-hire charges for common arguments about hire rates, duration, personal liability and the evidence that may be needed.
How the claim moves
From evidence review to the vehicle decision
Sterling can coordinate the practical stages, while the responsible insurer or third party retains its decisions.
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1
Read before delivery
Review the full hire, insurance, excess, mileage and cancellation terms.
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2
Record reasonable need
Document essential use and any features genuinely required.
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3
Protect the vehicle
Follow the supplier’s driver, security, incident and maintenance requirements.
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4
Cooperate with evidence
Keep repair updates and respond to reasonable requests linked to charge recovery.
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5
Return promptly
End hire when the agreed need ceases and retain the handback record.
Questions about non-fault support
What drivers ask about a possible non-fault route
This page is for a motorist offered a credit-hire vehicle who wants the commercial arrangement explained before signing.
If the third-party insurer later challenges the bill, read our guide to disputed credit-hire charges for common arguments about hire rates, duration, personal liability and the evidence that may be needed.
The important areas are contracting party, need and duration, recovery risk. Each should be recorded accurately for the individual vehicle.
Credit hire involves charges and contractual obligations even when recovery from another party is expected. Continuing hire after repair or settlement can create a dispute. The agreement should explain the customer’s position if responsibility is not accepted as expected.
No. Sterling can coordinate the vehicle need and supplier communication, but it does not guarantee that hire charges will be recovered from another party.
Related non-fault guidance
Other help with a non-fault vehicle claim
Not at fault? Get your vehicle claim moving
See what evidence helps the liability review and what still depends on another party.
View non-fault guidanceAccident recovery coordinated with the vehicle claim
Check the access, destination and eligibility details needed before collection.
View recovery guidanceReplacement-vehicle assistance while yours is off the road
Review eligibility, availability, costs and terms before accepting a vehicle.
View mobility guidance
Start with an accurate vehicle record
Report the accident details you have
Sterling will review the vehicle position, explain the available coordination route and identify which organisation must make the next decision.