I don't agree that it makes it acceptable to accept a car from an accident management company even if it is the other parties fault. Yes, their insurance company pays, but it comes out of the pot we all pay into through our premiums. If there is pressure on the pot, then premiums go up and we all pay. I am partly at fault, but in my defence it wasn't until after the event that I became aware of the exorbitant cost, so I will never use them again regardless of who is at fault.

My insurance company claims management was absolutely fine on a recent minor shunt (back bumper), good communication, and organised an Enterprise hire car. They even offered me cash if I didn't take a loan car as I had a multi car policy, so they knew I had other vehicles to use. I took the car as didn't want to put unnecessary mileage on the Z4M. Admittedly they did offer me a Fiesta to start with, and I just said that wasn't suitable for the mileage/kids etc. It was no problem, they organised a more suitable car (Skoda something or other) at £40 a day cost at their discounted rate. I could have had a Merc or BMW if I'd asked, which was perhaps £60 a day, but it was no major issue for a few days.

I suppose some insurance cover now doesn't include a loan car, so perhaps there is a situation where this could be helpful, but the management company won't supply a car unless they think it is a none fault accident, ie reasonable chance the other side will payout, so suppose their costs do include an element of cases they lose, and don't get paid. Even if you could justify the 'need', then there is the cost. They could hire cars from Enterprise or similar, and even with a markup, overhead, potential for none payment, even if they doubled the rate to cover that it is still massively less. You simply cannot justify the rates they charge in comparison to hire car rates - hence why in my example the other side took a stance against it.

Please don't misinterpret this, I am not criticising anyone as I have done the same in the past, but going forward I won't do it again - ever! I think we should take more responsibility and recognise there is no such thing as a free lunch, and we all pay for this one way or another.

I'll put my soap box away now!