Hire car after an accident
Need a hire car after an accident?
Your car's in the shop (or on a tow truck) and life keeps coming. Whether you pay for the next car, your insurer does, or the at-fault driver's insurer does depends on one thing: fault. Here's how to get it right.
- Not at fault? $0 to you if eligible
- Arranged for you
- Like-for-like vehicle
- Sydney-wide delivery
Start with one question: whose fault was it?
If the accident was your fault, your options are your insurer's hire-car benefit (if your policy includes one) or paying for a rental yourself.
If the accident wasn't your fault, everything changes: the at-fault driver's insurer is generally liable for your losses, including the reasonable cost of a replacement car while yours is repaired. That means an eligible not-at-fault driver shouldn't be paying rental counters anything, and shouldn't burn their own policy benefits either.
That not-at-fault route is exactly what our car hire service does: a like-for-like vehicle delivered to you, with costs recovered from the at-fault insurer as part of your claim.
Not at fault? At a glance
- No hire charges to you, if you're eligible
- A car comparable to your own
- Arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to availability
- No claim on your own policy in most cases
- One team handles car, claim and repairs
Eligibility confirmed after we review your accident: one quick call.
The most direct path to a car (not-at-fault)
Call or check online
Two minutes on the phone, or the 60-second check, establishes whether you're eligible for not-at-fault hire.
We verify the details
The at-fault driver's details, the accident facts, your licence. We confirm eligibility and get the hire agreement ready.
Drive on, worry off
Keep it for the reasonable repair period while we recover the costs from the at-fault insurer.
Will you qualify for no-cost hire?
Quick sanity check: you're likely eligible for the not-at-fault route if:
- The other driver caused the accident (fully or mostly)
- You have the at-fault driver's details: name, rego and insurer
- You need a vehicle while yours is repaired or replaced
- You hold a current licence
The honest fine print
Not-at-fault hire is provided on credit and recovered from the at-fault side, that's why eligible drivers pay nothing. The flip side, set out in our Terms: if you're later found at fault or the information you gave us was wrong, costs can become your responsibility. We assess honestly upfront so that doesn't happen.
Take the 60-second checkYour three ways to get a car after an accident
The honest comparison, including when each option is genuinely the right call.
| Category | Not-at-fault hire (Crash Assist) | Your insurer / repairer courtesy car | Rent one yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | $0 if eligible: recovered from the at-fault insurer | Included with some policies and repairers; excess or caps can apply | Full daily rates, bond and admin fees |
| The car | Like-for-like with your own | Usually a small hatch, whatever you drive | Anything, at a price |
| Availability | Arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to availability | Subject to policy terms and repairer stock | Subject to fleet and season |
| How long | Reasonable repair or settlement period | Often capped at 14 to 21 days or 'while we have your car' | As long as you pay |
| Best when | You're not at fault and the other vehicle is identified | You're at fault, or fault is genuinely shared | You need a car instantly regardless of cost |
Policies differ. Check your PDS. If you tell us what happened, we'll point you to the right option even when it isn't us: call 1800 840 221.
Hire car questions, answered
Who pays for a hire car after an accident?
Fault decides. Not your fault → the at-fault driver's insurer generally carries the reasonable hire cost (that's our model). Your fault → your own policy benefit or your wallet. The full breakdown is in who pays for the hire car.
Can I just book a rental and claim it back later?
You can, but be careful: you'll pay upfront, and recovery isn't guaranteed. Insurers argue about rates and duration. Going through a not-at-fault specialist means the recovery risk sits with us, not you, if you're eligible.
My insurer offered a hire car: should I take it?
Check three things first: the excess, the day cap and the car size. Policy hire benefits are often a small hatch for a set number of days, and using them can mean claiming on your own policy. Compare with the not-at-fault route before deciding. See hire car vs courtesy car.
How do you get me a car in Sydney?
Replacement vehicles may be arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to liability being accepted and eligibility requirements being met. We deliver anywhere in Greater Sydney, subject to availability. If your car's undriveable, we coordinate towing and delivery together.
What if fault hasn't been decided yet?
Call us anyway. We'll look at the evidence (statements, photos, dashcam) and give you a realistic read. Replacement vehicles may be arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to liability being accepted and eligibility requirements being met. A strong evidence file is what makes that possible. See how fault is determined.
Do I need comprehensive insurance to get a hire car through you?
No, because we claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, not yours. If you're uninsured and not at fault, read your options here.
Related services & reading
Not-At-Fault Car Hire
The no-cost hire model in detail: eligibility, vehicles and timing.
Read moreGuide: Who pays for the hire car?
The money question answered, including the edge cases.
Read moreGuide: What to do after an accident
The step-by-step checklist for the first hours and days.
Read moreOne call. We handle it. Back on the road.
Tell us what happened and we'll tell you your options, including the one that costs you nothing, if you're eligible.
Eligibility confirmed after we review your accident. No obligation, no hard sell.