A like-for-like replacement vehicle can help you continue with work, family life and everyday travel while your own vehicle is off the road after a non-fault accident. Rather than simply providing any available car, the aim is to arrange a suitable replacement based on the type of vehicle you normally use and what you need it for.
MAC’s Accident Assist can arrange replacement vehicles for eligible drivers across Belfast and Northern Ireland, including cars, vans, commercial vehicles and other vehicle types depending on individual requirements and availability.
What is a like-for-like replacement vehicle?
A like-for-like replacement vehicle is intended to provide a suitable alternative to the vehicle you have lost the use of following an accident.
That does not necessarily mean receiving the exact same make, model, age or specification as your own vehicle. Instead, factors such as vehicle type, size, capacity and how you normally use it can be considered when identifying an appropriate replacement.
For example, someone who relies on a van for their business has very different requirements from someone who normally drives a small car for commuting.
The purpose of like-for-like replacement is to minimise that disruption as much as reasonably possible while your own vehicle is unavailable.
Can you get a like-for-like vehicle after a non-fault accident?
If another road user was responsible for the accident and your vehicle is no longer available to you, you may be eligible for a suitable replacement vehicle while your claim progresses.
The circumstances of the accident, your need for a replacement and the type of vehicle required will need to be considered.
This is why the replacement process should begin by understanding how your existing vehicle is actually used rather than simply providing whatever vehicle happens to be available.
MAC’s Accident Assist can assess your circumstances and explain the replacement vehicle options available to you.
Why does your replacement vehicle need to be suitable?
For many drivers, a vehicle is more than simply a way of travelling from one place to another.
A tradesperson may need a van to carry tools, equipment or materials between jobs. Giving that person a small hatchback could leave them mobile but still unable to work normally.
Similarly, a family that relies on a seven-seat vehicle may still need sufficient seating for children and other passengers. Someone using a commercial vehicle for their business could have requirements relating to load space, vehicle size or the type of work being carried out.
The same applies to organisations using minibuses or other vehicles for specific purposes.
A suitable replacement therefore needs to consider the practical role your vehicle played before the accident. Getting that right can make a significant difference to how much disruption the accident causes.
What types of like-for-like replacement vehicles can be arranged?
Replacement requirements can vary significantly depending on the vehicle involved in the accident.
Depending on individual circumstances and availability, MAC’s Accident Assist can help arrange different types of replacement vehicles, including:
- Cars
- Family vehicles
- Vans
- Commercial vehicles
- Minibuses
- Specialist vehicles where appropriate and available
The focus is on finding a vehicle that meets the practical requirements of the driver or business rather than simply matching the badge on the front.
Factors such as passenger capacity, vehicle size, load requirements and everyday use can all be relevant when determining what type of replacement is appropriate.
Does like-for-like mean the exact same vehicle?
No. Like-for-like does not necessarily mean that your replacement will be the identical make and model as your damaged vehicle.
An exact match may not be available, and differences in model, age, trim level, engine or specification can occur.
The important consideration is whether the replacement is a reasonable and suitable alternative for your needs.
For example, if you normally drive a large family vehicle, the priority may be providing sufficient passenger and luggage capacity rather than finding the exact same model. For a van driver, load capacity and the practical ability to continue working may be more important than the manufacturer.
Availability and the circumstances of the individual claim will also influence what can be provided.
Who pays for a like-for-like replacement vehicle?
Following a non-fault accident, the reasonable cost of providing an appropriate replacement vehicle may be recoverable from the at-fault party or their insurer.
However, this should not be treated as an automatic entitlement in every situation. The circumstances of the accident, liability, the driver’s need for a replacement and the type of vehicle provided can all be relevant.
MAC’s Accident Assist assesses each case individually before arranging a replacement vehicle and can explain how the process applies to your circumstances.
This allows the replacement vehicle to form part of the wider management of the non-fault accident rather than being something you have to arrange independently.
Like-for-like replacement vehicles across Belfast and Northern Ireland
MAC’s Accident Assist supports eligible drivers and businesses across Belfast and Northern Ireland following non-fault road traffic accidents.
When arranging a replacement, the team considers what type of vehicle has been taken off the road and the practical requirements it normally fulfils.
That could mean keeping an individual mobile while their car is being repaired, helping a tradesperson continue working with a suitable van, or arranging a larger vehicle where passenger capacity is important.
Replacement vehicles can also be coordinated alongside other services required after the collision, including vehicle recovery, secure storage, accident repair management and claims support.
This gives customers one point of contact for the wider accident process rather than having to arrange each service separately.
Get a suitable replacement vehicle after a non-fault accident
If your vehicle has been damaged in a non-fault accident, you do not necessarily have to settle for a replacement that does not meet your everyday needs.
Contact MAC’s Accident Assist with details of the accident, your damaged vehicle and how you normally use it. The team can assess your circumstances and determine what replacement vehicle options may be available.
From cars and vans to commercial and larger passenger vehicles, MAC’s Accident Assist can help eligible drivers across Northern Ireland stay mobile while their own vehicle is off the road.
