We currently have Direct Lines car hire plus as part of our policy which will give a similar sized vehicle in the event of a courtesy car being needed.

However the renewal this year is eye watering to say the least.

Does anyone else offer a similar enhanced/similar size courtesy car either as standard or as a paid extra?

I can only see that Direct line offer this

If it's non fault, you should get a like for like car.

I certainly did when I pointed out the tiny car was no use to my insurer at the time.

Otherwise look at LV= and NFU as they have good policies as standard, especially NFU

Direct line guarantee similar size vehicle to yours regardless.

So here's the thing, how much does it cost you.

 

Then look at how much you really need it (I mean really need it).

Then look at how much it would cost you to hire a car of that size the time you did need it.

 

Frankly I think it's a bit of a con to sell that as an upgrade.

It's included, not an extra and the whole policy last year was cheaper than anywhere else.

We have used it before when swmbo had an accident in that heavy snow in 2010. Car was off the road for 2 weeks (back log of work) and she received a Kia Ultima in lieu of our Octavia.

Now we have 2 children and a baby, an Up or corsa wouldn't be practical if the car was off the road due to a fault claim.

Whilst it's not an intention to need it (as you say non fault will be coughing up a hire car) it brings peace of mind.

We didn't have this level of cover but when we had a non-fault claim we ended up with a Vauxhall Mokka 1.4 turbo auto. Similar ish size to the Octavia. Certainly not a little citigo sized car.

Do you really need this guaranteed cover?

Ah I see. You could probably argue the need for a bigger car but it's never going to be guaranteed.

Well at this point then all you can do is work out how much that is worth to you, compare quotes elsewhere and fight DL to get a discount.

At the end of the day no insurance company will put you up in a car that can't fit you and the kids in it, for fear of being pulled apart at the ombudsman.

Well just to update this, several companies offer it as an extra.  Aviva being the next trustable firm I've previously dealt with.

 

By the time I've gone through the comparison sites, and added back in the same level of cover as I currently have, that amazing cheap insurance is more expensive than Direct line renewal - which is 1/3 up on last year.

 

 

Back to courtesy cars, almost all only offer something up to 1 litre with 4 seats and the smallest size being UP/Citygo territory up to 10 days.  Aviva up this to something 1.6 capable of carrying 5 adults for £35 & 14 days.  Direct line's offer is similar size/type to that insured for the full period yours is being repaired or until settled if total loss/stolen for £19 (first time it's been shown as a separate charge on any of my DL policies).

 

 

So seems Direct line have my business for the 3rd year running.