PCO accident management services exist for one reason because private hire drivers can't afford to sit around waiting while insurers move at their own pace. 

Your car is your income. Every day it's off the road costs you money, and the admin that follows an accident can eat up hours you don't have.

This guide cuts through the confusion. Here's exactly what happens, what you're entitled to, and how to protect yourself and your earnings when things go wrong on the road.

What Happens to Your PHV Licence If Your Car Is Off the Road

This is the question most guides skip, and it's the one London PCO drivers worry about most.

If your vehicle is undergoing repairs following an accident, your TfL private hire vehicle licence remains valid but you cannot legally operate without a licensed replacement vehicle. 

That means if your accident management company doesn't get a PCO-compliant replacement car to you quickly, you're effectively grounded.

TfL requires that any vehicle you drive for hire purposes meets PHV licensing standards. A standard courtesy car from a body shop won't cut it. It needs to be insured for hire and reward, meet the vehicle age and condition requirements, and be on your operator's system.

This is exactly why specialist PCO accident management matters more than just handing your car to any garage and waiting.

What To Do At the Scene | In Order

Most drivers know the basics. But in the moment, stress makes people forget things that later affect their claim. Here's the sequence that protects you:

1. Stop and stay calm. You're legally required to stop after any accident involving injury, damage, or another vehicle. Leave the scene and you're committing a criminal offence.

2. Check for injuries first. Call 999 if anyone is hurt. Don't move injured people unless there's immediate danger.

3. Swap details. Get the other driver's name, address, phone number, vehicle registration, and insurance details. If they refuse, note the registration and call the police.

4. Document everything. Take photos of both vehicles, the road position, any damage, road markings, traffic signals, and weather conditions. This evidence is often decisive in fault disputes.

5. Get witness details. Passengers, pedestrians, other drivers nearby their accounts matter. Get names and numbers before anyone leaves.

6. Don't admit fault. Even a casual "sorry" at the scene can be used against you. Keep it factual and neutral.

7. Notify your operator and call your accident management company. 

Don't call your insurer first if you're using an accident management service; they'll handle that communication on your behalf.

At-Fault vs Non-Fault: Why the Distinction Changes Everything

If the accident wasn't your fault, your financial exposure is minimal. A non-fault claim means the at-fault driver's insurer, not yours, covers the cost of your repairs, your replacement vehicle, and any injury compensation you're entitled to.

This is where credit hire comes in. Credit hire is the legal mechanism that allows you to drive a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired, with the costs recovered directly from the at-fault insurer at the end of the claim. You pay nothing upfront.

Insurers sometimes challenge credit hire claims, particularly on the hire rate and duration. A reputable PCO accident management company manages this dispute for you and has legal teams experienced in defending the hire period and costs.

If the accident was your fault, the process is different. Your own insurer handles repairs, you'll likely pay your excess, and any replacement vehicle comes through your own policy if you've got that cover in place. Many PCO drivers don't, which is worth checking before you need it.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

You claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). The MIB exists specifically to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. It's a slower process, but you're not left with nothing. A good accident management company will handle an MIB claim just as they would a standard insurer claim.

The Replacement Vehicle: What You're Actually Entitled To

On a non-fault claim, you're entitled to a like-for-like replacement not just any car. If you drive a hybrid or electric vehicle for Uber or Bolt, a petrol hatchback isn't comparable. The replacement should match your vehicle's class and be fit for purpose on your platform.

Most PCO accident management companies maintain fleets that include Toyota Prius, Skoda Octavia, Tesla Model 3, and other platform-compatible vehicles. Confirm availability before you commit to any provider.

A few things drivers often don't ask but should:

• How long can I keep the hire vehicle? Insurers impose caps on hire periods typically linked to how long repairs reasonably take. Your accident management company should be upfront about this

• Can I use the hire car on Uber or Bolt? Yes, provided it meets TfL PHV requirements and is on your operator's system but confirm this explicitly with the provider

• What happens if repairs take longer than expected? A good company will negotiate a hire extension with the insurer rather than leaving you without a vehicle mid-claim

How Your Uber or Bolt Account Is Affected

This doesn't get enough attention. An extended period off the road affects more than just your daily earnings.

Uber Pro status requires consistent weekly trip completion. If you're inactive for two or more weeks, you can drop a tier losing the fuel card benefits, insurance discounts, and priority matching that come with higher status.

Bolt has similar activity thresholds. Some drivers also find that a gap in activity triggers additional document verification checks when they return.

The faster you get back on the road with a compliant replacement vehicle, the less damage your platform standing takes. This is a practical financial argument for using professional PCO accident management services rather than leaving it to your insurer to move at their own pace.

Injury Claims After an Accident: What Changed in 2021

If you were injured in the accident, even minor whiplash you have the right to claim compensation. However, the Whiplash Reform Programme, introduced in May 2021, changed how low-value soft tissue injury claims work.

Claims worth under £5,000 now go through the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal rather than through a solicitor in the traditional sense. The fixed tariff system means compensation amounts for soft tissue injuries are set by the government, not negotiated freely.

For injuries above that threshold, or where there's a mix of soft tissue and other injuries, a specialist road traffic accident solicitor is worth involving. Many PCO accident management companies have legal partners who handle this at no cost to you on a non-fault claim.

FAQ: 

Do I have to tell TfL about an accident? 

You're not required to report every minor incident to TfL, but if the accident results in criminal charges, a licence endorsement, or a significant claim, it's wise to disclose it proactively. Failure to disclose relevant convictions or incidents can affect your PHV licence renewal.

Will making a non-fault claim affect my insurance premium? 

It can, even on a non-fault basis some insurers factor claim history into renewal pricing regardless of fault. Ask your insurer directly and consider how your no-claims bonus is protected.

How long do PCO accident repairs usually take? 

Minor body damage typically takes 5–10 working days. More significant structural repairs can take 3–6 weeks. Your accident management company should give you a realistic timeframe upfront and keep you updated throughout.

What if I disagree with the repair assessment? 

You have the right to request an independent engineer's report. A good accident management company will support this rather than push you to accept a substandard repair or a write-off settlement that undervalues your vehicle.

Can I choose my own repair garage? 

On an at-fault claim, your insurer will typically direct repairs to their approved network. On a non-fault claim managed by a specialist company, you have more flexibility and the company will use approved repairers who meet PHV compliance standards.

The Bottom Line

An accident disrupts everything: your income, your schedule, your platform standing, and your peace of mind. What you do in the first 24 hours determines how smoothly the rest of the process goes.

Know your rights, document everything at the scene, and don't leave a non-fault claim to chance or to an insurer whose interests aren't aligned with yours. A specialist accident management company does more than handle paperwork; they keep you earning while the claim runs its course.

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