Accident replacement vehicle
An accident replacement vehicle, delivered to your door
School runs, work, the weekend sport shuttle: your life doesn't pause while your car is in the shop. If the accident wasn't your fault and you're eligible, we deliver a vehicle comparable to your own and recover the cost from the at-fault insurer.
- Like-for-like match
- Delivered to your door
- $0 out of pocket, if eligible
- Sydney-wide
What is an accident replacement vehicle?
An accident replacement vehicle (sometimes called accident car hire or a not-at-fault hire car) is the car you drive while yours is being repaired after a crash that wasn't your fault.
The law works in your favour here: a not-at-fault driver is generally entitled to be put back, as far as money can do it, in the position they were in before the accident. If you had a car and you need one, that usually includes a replacement vehicle of a similar standard to your own, paid for by the at-fault party's insurer, not by you.
In practice, insurers don't volunteer this. Crash Assist makes it happen: we assess your eligibility, deliver a like-for-like vehicle and recover the cost as part of your claim.
At a glance
- A car comparable to your own, not the cheapest thing on the lot
- Delivered to home, work or the repairer
- Arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to availability
- Keep it for the reasonable repair period
- No hire charges to you if you're eligible
Subject to eligibility, availability and our hire agreement.
What's included
The point of a replacement vehicle is that your week keeps running like the accident never happened.
Like-for-like match
Drive an SUV? You get an SUV. Need a ute for work or seven seats for the family? We match the vehicle to the life you actually live. See our fleet classes.
Delivery & collection
We bring the car to your home, workplace or repairer, and collect it when your own car is back. No counters, no queues.
For the whole repair
Not a capped handful of days: eligible drivers keep the vehicle for the reasonable period their car is under repair, or to settlement for write-offs.
Getting your replacement vehicle
Check your eligibility
Call 1800 840 221 or take the 60-second check. We confirm eligibility on the facts of your accident, usually straight away.
We match the vehicle
Tell us what you drive and what your week looks like. We arrange a comparable vehicle, subject to availability.
Delivered to you
We handle the paperwork at handover, and you're driving in minutes.
We handle the costs
Hire costs are billed to the claim and recovered from the at-fault insurer. Eligible drivers pay $0 out of pocket.
Are you entitled to a replacement vehicle?
If the accident wasn't your fault, quite possibly. The key questions are:
- Was the other driver fully or mostly at fault?
- Do you have the at-fault driver's details: name, rego and insurer?
- Do you need a vehicle while yours is off the road?
- Was your car damaged in the accident (repairable or written off)?
The honest fine print
Entitlement to a replacement vehicle depends on the circumstances of your accident and genuine need, and our service is provided on credit under our Terms and hire agreement. We confirm your position before any commitment: one call, no obligation.
Take the 60-second checkReplacement vehicle questions
What does 'like-for-like' actually mean?
A vehicle of a broadly similar class, size and capability to your own: an SUV for an SUV, a dual-cab for a dual-cab. It's about matching what your car does for you, not the exact badge. Full explanation here.
Who pays for the replacement vehicle?
For eligible not-at-fault drivers, the cost is recovered from the at-fault party's insurer. You pay your own running costs (fuel and tolls) but no hire charges. The mechanics are explained in who pays for the hire car.
How quickly can it be delivered?
Replacement vehicles may be arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to liability being accepted and eligibility requirements being met. Undriveable car? Tell us when you call and we'll coordinate towing and the replacement together.
Can I get one if my car was written off?
Yes. If you're eligible, you can generally keep a replacement vehicle for a reasonable period while the write-off is assessed and settled. See what happens with not-at-fault write-offs.
Is this the same as a courtesy car?
No. A courtesy car is a repairer's loan car, usually small, basic and only while they have your vehicle. A replacement vehicle matches your own car and runs on the at-fault insurer's account if you're eligible. Compare the two here.
Do you cover all of Sydney?
Yes. We deliver across Greater Sydney, from Penrith to the Northern Beaches and the Sutherland Shire, and can discuss surrounding NSW areas when you call.
Related services & reading
Your car's in the shop. Your life shouldn't be.
Like-for-like replacement vehicles for eligible not-at-fault drivers, delivered Sydney-wide.
Eligibility confirmed after we review your accident. Subject to availability and our hire agreement.