If you are a PCO license or a private hire driver, your vehicle is your key to making a living. Unfortunately, accidents are a risk that could happen at dawn or night. If they happen to occur, knowing how to claim for a PCO accident could help you save stress, time, and money.
This is the definitive guide to everything that you will want to know regarding the PCO car accident claims procedure, insurance cover, and the course of action to take immediately when a collision occurs.
If you drive for Uber or Bolt or for any other cab service operator, knowing your rights and your choices will have you safely back on the road quicker.
What Is a PCO Accident Claim?
PCO accident claim is the insurance and legal process that allows PCO or private hire vehicles to receive compensation for losses sustained following a road accident. Those losses may include:
- Car damage
- Personal injury
- Wage loss (while your vehicle is being repaired or replaced)
- Expenditures for medications and incidental expenses
As your vehicle is a PCO license holding vehicle, the claims procedure will vary slightly from the regular car claims procedure. PCO covers are tailor-made for professional operators so that your business operations are safeguarded when accidents occur.
How the PCO Vehicle Claim Process Works in the UK
The PCO accident claim procedure will generally involve the following stages:
1. Report the Accident Immediately
Inform your insurance company or accident management company immediately. Provide the accurate details such as date, time, place, weather conditions, and information about the third-party involved. Giving notice in time avoids disputed claims later.
2. Collect Evidence
You have good evidence for your claims and your liability when it's in dispute. Photograph all vehicle damage thoroughly, road conditions, and license numbers. Procure witness statements and share details with the driver of the vehicle involved (name, phone number, insurer and vehicle registration).
3. Notify the Police (If Necessary)
In the unlikely event of damage that's serious, injury, or disagreements, always call the police. The police report is key evidence for your insurer and often resolves your claim settlement quickly.
4. Call a Registered Accident Management Company
If you depend on your vehicle for work purposes, your insurance-approved accident management company will become your closest ally. They will take all the communication away from the insurance companies, organize the recovery, supply a like-for-like PCO replacement vehicle, and have the repairs handled professionally.
5. Vehicle Repair and Assessment
Your damaged PCO vehicle will be evaluated by approved repairers. If the vehicle is repairable, the cost will be paid by the insurer of the guilty party. If it is a total loss, you will receive compensation in terms of market value.
6. Claim Settlement
Once the investigation is complete, your claim will be settled. Depending on the case, you’ll receive compensation for repairs, replacement, personal injury, and any income you lost during the downtime.
PCO Insurance and Accident Management Explained
PCO insurance insures private hire drivers for third-party liability, vehicle damage, and injury to passengers. But it's stressful to manage claims by oneself.
That's why most of the drivers themselves depend upon the professionals of the accident management companies to manage all that for them.
A good accident management business will:
- Process all claim forms
- Coordinate with insurance companies
- Supply replacement vehicles Uber-ready
- Retain lost revenue
- Rehabilitation and restoration of human losses (according to policy)
This means that even when your primary vehicle is unavailable, for whatever reason, you will be able to earn without undue delay.
Steps to Take Immediately After a PCO Accident in London
If you are involved in a PCO accident in the UK or London and want to safeguard your claim, do the following:
- Stay calm and check for injuries. Ensure everyone involved is safe.
- Proceed to a secure location. If possible, do not block road traffic.
- Swap information for the vehicle of the opposing driver: name, address, phone number, and insurance.
- Photograph and video evidence. Include number plates, crashed vehicles, and road markings.
- Call the police if someone has been hurt or the other driver refuses to help.
- Reach your insurer or accident management company quickly.
- The earlier the event occurs the sooner the claim will be settled.
What You Can Claim: PCO Car Accident Compensation
Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to claim:
- Car replacement or repair expenses
- Losing income while your vehicle is out of commission
- Compensación por daños
- Treatment and rehabilitation expenses
- Towing and storing expenses
- Damages to personal belongings (e.g., phone, sat-navigator, dash
If the accident wasn't your fault, your accident management firm is able to frequently recover these expenditures directly from the driver who was responsible meaning no expense to you.
PCO Accident Claim Advice for Private Hire Drivers
Here are the key tips to streamline your claim and have it processed quicker:
- Under no circumstance accept blame for the accident scene. A negligent apology might be uttered by the adverse.
- Keep your dashcam safe. It may become valuable evidence to establish liability.
- Always use insurance-licensed repair centers. They keep your PCO license up-to-date.
- Record accurately. Preserve all your receipts for expenditure and all the reports for the claim.
- Know your rights. You're entitled to a replacement PCO vehicle in the event the accident wasn't your fault.
Why Use a PCO Accident Management Company?
Most motorists prefer accident management companies because they take the hassle away and prevent downtime. Here's why you might want to consider them:
- Like-for-like replacement vehicles (authorised
- No setup charges
- 24/7 accident hotline
- Claim handing from start to finish
- Direct communication with insurers
Quicker settlement and repair time This lets you focus your mind on driving and earning money while experts take care of the paperwork, bargaining, and arrangements.
Final Thoughts
A PCO accident will disrupt your work and income but the right insurance help and accident management partner will mitigate the impact. Being conversant with the PCO accident claim process allows you to take the correct decisions, recover your losses, and get back on the road soon.
Involved in a PCO accident? Contact Continental Car Hire today for quick claim assistance, Uber-ready replacement cars, and expert accident management support across the UK.