Running a taxi or a van in Northern Ireland isn’t just a job, it’s your livelihood. Your vehicle is your earnings, your timetable, and in many ways your reputation. When a collision happens (especially when you weren’t at fault), the panic isn’t only about damage; it’s about lost fares, cancelled deliveries, and customers you might not get back.
Shield Accident Management exists to remove that worry. Based in Moy, Dungannon, and supporting drivers across every county in Northern Ireland, our team brings the calm, structure and speed that taxi drivers and van owners need most. This guide explains exactly how we help from instant recovery to like‑for‑like replacements, from insurance claims assistance in NI to legal and medical support so you can focus on getting back to work.
Why Commercial Drivers Need Specialist Support (Not Just “Any” Help)
Taxi and van drivers face different pressures than ordinary motorists. A family car being off the road is inconvenient; a working vehicle being off the road stops the income clock. That’s why we’ve designed our service around business continuity:
- Fast turnarounds so you can keep serving passengers or customers.
- Like‑for‑like replacements (PSV taxis, London Black Taxis, 7‑seaters, and light commercial vehicles) so your work isn’t limited by the temporary vehicle.
- Clear communication one named Shield handler updates you, so you’re never chasing insurers for news.
- No upfront cost in non‑fault cases our fees are recovered from the at‑fault party’s insurer.
In short: you keep your business running while we handle the aftermath.
Immediate Action at the Scene: Recovery That Actually Helps
Right after a collision, three questions hit at once: Is everyone safe? Where does the vehicle go? How soon can I work again? We can’t rewind time, but we can control everything that happens next.
- 24/7 roadside recovery anywhere in NI. Whether you’re in Belfast City Centre, Derry/Londonderry, Omagh, Armagh, Newry, Coleraine or a back road outside Cookstown, we’ll dispatch approved recovery partners to collect your vehicle.
- Secure storage. Your vehicle is moved to secure storage straightaway, protected, documented, and ready for engineering inspection and repair.
- Clear handover. We gather the essentials (photos, third‑party details, witness info) and open your file immediately through the Shield app or by phone.
If you’re searching for vehicle recovery services in NI, think of Shield as the one call that sorts the lot: collection, storage, replacement… all lined up before you’ve even had time to stress about the “what next?”
Replacement Taxis
A taxi off the road means earnings on pause. We keep that pause as short as possible with a ready‑to‑go fleet of PSV‑approved taxis:
- Private hire cars for day‑to‑day runs
- London Black Taxis for city and accessibility work
- 7‑seater/MPV taxis for school contracts and group bookings
Every replacement is PSV and DOE‑approved, properly insured and matched to the work you do so you can legally take fares during repairs or while an insurer assesses write‑off status. In many cases we can have you in a seat‑belt and back on the meter within 24 – 48 hours.
Vans & LCVs: Keeping Deliveries Moving, Tools Working and Contracts On Track
For couriers, trades and fleet owners, a van is more than transport; it’s the job itself. That’s why our light commercial vehicle (LCV) replacements are tailored to your daily realities:
- Size and spec that fit your work from compact city vans to larger payload LCVs.
- Tow bars, racking or specialist needs? Tell us. If it’s essential to do the job, we’ll try our best to match it.
- Short‑notice availability so missed deliveries and rescheduled jobs are kept to a minimum.
Our goal is simple: provide a temporary van that feels like a continuation of your business, not a compromise.
Repairs You Can Trust
Once your vehicle is recovered and inspected, we coordinate repairs through a Northern Ireland‑wide network of approved garages and specialist repairers. Prefer your own trusted repairer? That’s fine too, we’ll facilitate it and keep everything moving.
- Quality‑assured workmanship with parts and paint matched to manufacturer standards.
- Transparent timelines so you can plan your work diary around return‑to‑road dates.
- Regular updates from your Shield handler, no chasing, no phone tennis with insurers.
Insurance Claims Assistance in NI: Stress Off Your Shoulders, Savings In Your Pocket
Here’s where many drivers feel most overwhelmed: forms, calls, statements, and the risk of saying the wrong thing to an insurer. With insurance claims assistance in NI from Shield, we do the heavy lifting:
- We open and run the claim directly with the at‑fault insurer.
- No‑claims bonus protected in non‑fault cases, because costs are directed to the at‑fault insurer.
- No excess to pay you’re not asked to fund someone else’s mistake.
- We handle third‑party calls. If the other insurer rings you, tell them, “Shield is managing my case.” We’ll take it from there.
It’s calm, clear and efficient, exactly what you want when your business depends on your wheels.
Legal & Medical Support, So You Recover Too
Collisions don’t only dent metal; they can injure drivers. Through our legal partners P. Haughey & Co., we can arrange:
- Private physio, scans and X‑rays when clinically indicated, often without the long waiting lists.
- Independent medical reporting to support any injury claim.
- Clear legal advice so your rights are protected and your recovery plan is sensible and stress‑free.
We handle vehicles with care and we handle people with even more.
The Shield App: Order in the Chaos, Right From the Kerbside
In the heat of the moment it’s easy to forget details. Our Shield Accident Management app (iOS and Android) prompts you to record exactly what you need: photos, third‑party details, witness info, location and damage notes. Submitting through the app instantly alerts our team so we can deploy recovery and line up a replacement vehicle while you’re still at the scene.
If you prefer a human voice, ring us 24/7 on 0800 066 2909 – we’ll open your file just as fast.
Common Myths and How Shield Sets the Record Straight
“I must go through my own insurer.”
Not in a non‑fault accident. You can appoint Shield to manage recovery, repairs, a like‑for‑like replacement and the claim directly with the at‑fault insurer.
“I’ll lose my no‑claims bonus if I make a claim.”
With insurance claims assistance NI from Shield in a non‑fault case, we direct all recoverable costs to the at‑fault insurer, so your no‑claims bonus isn’t affected and you avoid paying an excess.
“Replacement vehicles are basic and won’t suit my work.”
We maintain on‑demand access to PSV taxis of various types and a wide range of light commercial vehicles, tell us what you need to keep earning, and we’ll aim to match it.
“The process will be full of hidden catches.”
We’re transparent, we update you continually, and we recover our fees from the third‑party insurer in non‑fault cases. No surprises, no small‑print games.
Your Step‑By‑Step If You’re Involved in a Collision
- Make the scene safe. Switch off the engine, turn on hazards, and move to a safe place.
- Check for injuries and call emergency services if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
- Gather evidence. Photos of positions, number plates, road signs, and damage; witness names and contact details.
- Swap details (names, addresses, insurers) with the other driver.
- Contact Shield immediately. We’ll arrange vehicle recovery services NI, secure storage, a replacement taxi or LCV, and start the claim.
From the first phone call to the last repair invoice, our focus is on continuity, keeping your taxi or van earning while we manage the complex bits. We’ve supported thousands of Northern Irish drivers since 2018, and we’ve built a service that works the way you work: quick decisions, honest updates, and solutions that actually fit.
When you need vehicle recovery services in NI, a compliant replacement taxi, a like‑for‑like LCV, or straightforward insurance claims assistance, Shield is the partner that brings calm to collisions and momentum back to your business.
Ready When You Are
If you’re a taxi or van driver in Northern Ireland and you’ve been involved in a non‑fault accident:
- Call 0800 066 2909 (24/7)
- Download the Shield Accident Management app on iOS or Android
- Or visit us in Moy, Dungannon – we’re local, friendly and ready to help