Document every stage of the repair or write-off process with dates. Show when the vehicle was inspected, when parts were ordered, when repairs began and completed, and any delays outside the claimant's control. Call notes and garage correspondence proving the claimant actively chased progress are particularly helpful.
How do you explain a long hire period in a witness statement?
Break the period into smaller sections and explain what happened at each stage. Include details of when parts were ordered, when repairs started, and any chasers sent to the garage. Supporting documents like call notes and garage correspondence strengthen the explanation. A blanket statement that "the hire was needed for X days" is rarely sufficient.
How long should a credit hire period be?
The hire period should last only as long as reasonably necessary. For repairable vehicles, this typically means the repair period plus a reasonable time for assessment and authorisation. For total losses, it runs until the claimant receives the settlement payment and has had reasonable time to source a replacement.
What is the claimant's duty to mitigate in credit hire?
The claimant must take reasonable steps to keep losses to a minimum. This means they should not hire an unreasonably expensive vehicle, should chase repairs to avoid unnecessary delays, and should consider reasonable offers from the defendant's insurer. However, the standard is reasonableness, not perfection.
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