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Mature woman taking laptop bag from a car boot on the street.

REPLACEMENT CAR EXTENSION

Get a courtesy car if yours is written off or stolen.

Replacement Car Extension includes a £100 cash benefit and courtesy car

Many insurers provide you with a temporary vehicle when yours is damaged in an accident so you can still get around while it undergoes repairs. But can you get a courtesy car if yours is written off or stolen?

What is Replacement Car Extension?

Our Comprehensive policies include a replacement car as standard if an approved repairer is repairing your car following an accident in the UK.

For an additional cost you can add Replacement Car Extension to your policy. With this cover we can also offer you a courtesy car if yours is stolen or written off – keeping you mobile and giving you time to find and purchase a new vehicle.

What’s included in Replacement Car Extension?

Adding Replacement Car Extension to your Saga car insurance gives you:

  • A courtesy car if your vehicle is stolen or written off.
  • A £100 cash benefit, which you can spend on whatever you like, such as replacement car delivery costs or pre-purchase vehicle inspections.
  • Automatic payout with no need to keep any receipts.

Do I need Replacement Car Extension?

Having access to a courtesy car if your vehicle is written off could give you peace of mind if you would struggle to cope without it.

If you rely on your car for your commute to work, the school run, or you live in a remote location with little access to public transport, Replacement Car Extension could be worthwhile. You should consider how often you use your vehicle, any realistic transport alternatives, and whether a rental car might be cheaper.

What should I do if my car is stolen?

If your car has been stolen, here is what you can do in three simple steps.

1. Call the police.

Dial 101 – the phone number for non-emergency crimes – and report that your car has been stolen to your local police station. You should share details of your car’s colour, make and model, plus the registration number.

2. Contact your insurer.

You can then contact your car insurance provider in order to start your claim. If you’re a Saga customer, call 08000015424 – our friendly team will manage your claim and get the ball rolling on your replacement vehicle.

3. Update DVLA.

If you receive an insurance payout after your car has been stolen, you’re obliged to inform the DVLA that you no longer own your vehicle.

Read more on GOV.UK on what you can do if your car is stolen.

Who underwrites Saga's replacement car extension cover?

Saga Replacement Car Extension is provided by Acromas Insurance Company Limited, which meets our high standards of quality and service.

What is a car insurance write off?

If your car has been ‘written off’ or ‘totaled’ following an accident, the cost to repair it or the cost of providing a courtesy car is greater than the car’s value.

What should I do if my car is written off?

If your car is written off, the ownership will transfer to your insurer, so you will need to update the DVLA that your vehicle has been written off and scrapped. Learn more about what happens if your car is written off.

What happens if my car is written off and it’s not my fault?

If your car is written off following an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should still contact your insurer first. They may be able to make this claim for you through the insurer of the third party who caused the accident. Any excess on your car insurance policy could also be recovered.

What if the driver who was at fault fled the scene?

In some cases, the driver who was at fault may not be traceable, even though leaving the scene of a road collision can result in fines, penalty points on a licence or imprisonment. In these situations, you can make a claim through your insurer and provide information such as your police crime reference number, photographs of the accident, and any eyewitness names and contact details.

What happens if I have an accident in a courtesy car?

If you have an accident in your courtesy car, provided under the replacement car extension add-on, you would be covered by Saga car insurance on the same cover level as your main vehicle.

As with any collision, you should make sure everyone around you is safe, and if so, you can then exchange insurance details with those involved, take pictures of the damage, and get the names and addresses of any witnesses.