For most drivers, a courtesy car after an accident is a helpful convenience. For London PCO drivers, it’s something far more important, it’s the difference between earning and not earning. Unfortunately, this is where many insurers get it wrong. Standard courtesy car policies often don’t take into account the unique requirements of private hire drivers, leaving you with a vehicle that you can’t legally or practically use for work.
After a non-fault accident, insurers typically offer a basic courtesy car while repairs are carried out. The problem? These vehicles are rarely licensed for PCO use. They may not meet TfL requirements, lack the correct insurance classification, or simply not be suitable for ride-hailing platforms.
This means that even though you’ve been given a car, you still can’t accept bookings or operate legally as a private hire driver. In effect, your income is paused until your own vehicle is back on the road.
For PCO drivers, downtime isn’t just inconvenient, it’s expensive. Every day spent waiting for repairs without a suitable replacement vehicle is a day without fares. Fuel costs, rental payments, and personal expenses don’t stop just because your car is in the garage.
Insurers often treat courtesy cars as a standard benefit rather than an essential business requirement. As a result, they fail to provide like-for-like replacements that allow PCO drivers to continue working seamlessly.
Even when a courtesy car is provided quickly, it may not match your original vehicle in size, fuel efficiency, or passenger suitability. For example, if you normally drive a hybrid vehicle commonly used for PCO work, being given a small petrol hatchback could affect your running costs and customer experience.
A true like-for-like PCO driver courtesy car replacement should be fully insured, TfL-compliant, and suitable for the type of work you do daily across London.
This is where specialist accident management services make a real difference. Instead of offering a generic courtesy car, they focus on providing replacement vehicles specifically for PCO drivers, helping you stay compliant and continue earning while your own car is repaired.
They also coordinate directly with the at-fault insurer, ensuring that your replacement vehicle and repairs are arranged without unnecessary delays.
Most insurers get courtesy cars wrong because they treat all drivers the same. But PCO drivers have unique needs that standard policies don’t always address. The right support ensures you receive a suitable replacement vehicle, minimise downtime, and protect your income after a non-fault accident.
