Case studies

How we handle real PCO claims

Four typical scenarios — non-fault, uninsured driver, write-off, multi-party — with the timeline, the paperwork, and what was actually recovered.

Note: these are illustrative composite scenarios representing the typical pattern of claims we handle for PCO drivers — not testimonials and not specific named clients. Real outcomes depend on liability, evidence quality, vehicle, and the parties involved. Personal data is never shared in case studies.

Case 1 · Non-fault rear-end

Rear-ended at a junction in north London by an insured driver.

Location

North London

Driver

Full-time Uber driver, 2017 Toyota Prius (PCO-licensed)

Rear-ended at a junction in north London by an insured driver. £0 cost to the driver. Replacement Prius within 24 hours. Repairs at our in-house bodyshop in 19 days. Loss of earnings recovered.

Timeline

  1. Day 0Accident reported via /submit-claim. Recovery dispatched within 90 minutes.
  2. Day 1TfL-compliant Prius delivered to driver's home address. Driver back on the road.
  3. Day 3Damage assessment complete. Repair authorised by third-party insurer.
  4. Days 4–18Repair carried out at our bodyshop. Genuine OEM parts. Photographic progress logged.
  5. Day 19Vehicle returned. Replacement collected.
  6. Days 20–60Loss-of-earnings claim evidenced from bank statements + Uber pro account. Settled.

Recovered

  • ✓Vehicle repair (third-party insurer paid the bodyshop direct)
  • ✓19 days of TfL-compliant credit hire
  • ✓Loss of earnings on the days of the accident itself + repair window
  • ✓Recovery + storage costs

Why it worked

Because liability was clear and we owned the bodyshop, the driver never paid an excess and never lost a no-claims bonus. The whole thing went through the third-party insurer.

Case 2 · Hit by uninsured driver — MIB claim

Side-swiped by a driver who fled the scene.

Location

East London

Driver

Self-employed Bolt driver, 2018 Hyundai Ioniq

Side-swiped by a driver who fled the scene. Police logged a Crime Reference Number. Recovered through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) Untraced Drivers' Agreement. Replacement vehicle from day one.

Timeline

  1. Day 0Accident reported. Recovery dispatched. Crime Reference Number obtained from 101.
  2. Day 1Replacement Ioniq delivered. Driver continues earning.
  3. Days 2–14MIB claim form submitted. Witness statements + dashcam footage gathered.
  4. Weeks 2–8MIB liability assessment. Interim loss-of-earnings payment authorised.
  5. Weeks 8–18Quantum negotiation: vehicle damage, hire, lost earnings, soft-tissue injury.
  6. Weeks 18–22MIB settles. Full recovery to the driver. Solicitor handles personal injury separately.

Recovered

  • ✓Repair / pre-accident vehicle valuation
  • ✓~16 weeks of credit hire (longer than standard because MIB is slower than insurer-to-insurer)
  • ✓Full loss of earnings, evidenced by tax return + Bolt earnings statements
  • ✓Personal injury settlement (whiplash + soft tissue) via panel solicitor on no-win-no-fee basis

Why it worked

MIB claims are paperwork-heavy. Going through us instead of his own insurer meant his no-claims bonus stayed clean and he never paid an excess.

Case 3 · Non-fault write-off

Hit at a roundabout.

Location

South London

Driver

Full-time FreeNow driver, 2019 Tesla Model 3 (PCO-licensed)

Hit at a roundabout. Vehicle declared a category-S total loss. We arranged pre-accident-value settlement, covered the gap to a comparable replacement, and kept the driver earning during the negotiation.

Timeline

  1. Day 0Recovery + immediate replacement Model 3 delivered same evening.
  2. Days 1–5Engineer's inspection. Vehicle written-off (uneconomic to repair).
  3. Days 5–14Pre-accident value (PAV) negotiation with third-party insurer.
  4. Day 14PAV settled at top end of CAP / Glass's guides for the spec + mileage.
  5. Days 14–28Driver sources a replacement. We extend the credit hire until handover.
  6. Day 28Replacement vehicle returned. Driver moves to new Tesla.

Recovered

  • ✓Pre-accident market value (top quartile)
  • ✓4 weeks of credit hire while sourcing replacement
  • ✓Loss of earnings on the day of accident
  • ✓No deduction for category status — full PAV

Why it worked

Drivers often accept the first PAV figure the insurer offers. We push to the top of the guide range — the difference is typically £500–£2,000 on a Model 3.

Case 4 · Multi-party low-speed collision

Stationary in traffic, hit by a vehicle that was hit from behind by a third — three-car shunt.

Location

West London

Driver

Part-time Ola driver, 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid

Stationary in traffic, hit by a vehicle that was hit from behind by a third — three-car shunt. Liability disputed initially. Resolved through engineer evidence and dashcam footage.

Timeline

  1. Day 0Accident reported, dashcam footage downloaded by our team.
  2. Day 1Replacement Auris hybrid delivered. Driver kept working.
  3. Days 1–3Both other insurers initially deny liability. We escalate.
  4. Days 4–10Dashcam + engineer report definitively establish chain of liability.
  5. Days 10–12Liability accepted. Repair authorised on rear damage.
  6. Days 12–24Repair carried out, returned. Loss of earnings paid 6 weeks later.

Recovered

  • ✓Vehicle repair (rear bumper, boot floor, exhaust)
  • ✓12 days of replacement hire
  • ✓Loss of earnings on the day + during the disputed liability window
  • ✓Inconvenience element — small contribution recognised by the eventually-liable party

Why it worked

In multi-party shunts, the case usually hinges on dashcam or independent witness evidence. We download it and protect it from day one before insurers can dispute.

Had an accident? Start your claim now.

Recovery within 90 minutes. Replacement vehicle within 24 hours. Repairs at our own bodyshop. £0 cost to you on non-fault claims.

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Related reading

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Guide

Loss of earnings as an Uber driver — 2026 guide

Guide

How long does a PCO claim take?

Tool

Loss-of-earnings calculator

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