Not-at-fault car hire
Not-at-fault car hire in Sydney
The accident wasn't your fault, so why should you be the one stuck without a car? We put eligible not-at-fault drivers in a like-for-like hire car and recover the cost from the at-fault driver's insurer. Not from you.
- $0 hire cost to you, if eligible
- Like-for-like vehicle
- No claim on your policy
- Delivered to you
How can the hire car cost me nothing?
It's a fair question, and the answer is simple: when the accident wasn't your fault, the at-fault driver, through their insurer, is generally liable for your losses. That includes the cost of keeping you mobile while your car is off the road.
So instead of charging you, we provide the hire car on credit and recover the cost directly from the at-fault party's insurer. You drive; we do the chasing. If you're eligible, you pay no hire fees, no excess and no upfront costs, and because the claim targets their insurer, your own policy and no-claim bonus stay untouched.
This is exactly what our not-at-fault claims service is built for: hire car, repairs and cost recovery handled by one Sydney team.
Your hire car, at a glance
- Like-for-like: a car comparable to your own
- Arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to availability
- Delivered to your home, work or repairer
- Keep it for the reasonable repair period
- Costs recovered from the at-fault insurer
Subject to eligibility, vehicle availability and our hire agreement.
From phone call to driveway
Most eligible drivers have their vehicle arranged as soon as eligibility is confirmed.
Tell us about the accident
A quick call, or the 60-second check, tells us whether you're eligible for not-at-fault hire.
We match your vehicle
We arrange a car comparable to your own from our replacement fleet: hatch, sedan, SUV, ute or van.
Delivered to your door
Delivered to your home, workplace or repairer for eligible not-at-fault drivers. Sign the hire agreement and drive.
Drive until yours is back
Keep the car for the reasonable period your vehicle is being repaired. We recover the hire costs from the at-fault insurer, not from you.
Who qualifies for not-at-fault hire?
Eligibility mostly comes down to fault and details. You're likely to qualify if:
- The accident was fully or mostly the other driver's fault
- You have the at-fault driver's details: name, rego and insurer (a lodged claim number is ideal)
- You genuinely need a vehicle while yours is repaired or written off
- You hold a current licence and can meet standard hire conditions
The honest fine print
"No cost to you" applies when you're not at fault and the costs are recoverable from the at-fault side. That's the credit-hire model, and it's set out plainly in our Terms and hire agreement before you sign. If something about your accident makes recovery unlikely, we'll tell you upfront, not after.
Take the 60-second checkYour options for a car after a not-at-fault accident
There are three ways to stay mobile. Here's the honest comparison:
| Category | Not-at-fault hire with us | Your insurer's hire benefit | Renting and paying yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | $0 if eligible: recovered from the at-fault insurer | Often included only as a policy extra; day and dollar caps apply | Full rental rates from your own pocket |
| The car you get | Like-for-like: comparable to your own | Frequently a small hatch regardless of what you drive | Whatever you're willing to pay for |
| How long you keep it | The reasonable repair or settlement period | Capped days (commonly 14 to 21) | As long as you can afford |
| Effect on your policy | None in most cases: the claim targets the at-fault insurer | Claim on your policy; excess may apply | None, but you carry the cost |
| Who chases the money | We do | You and your insurer | You, recovery is possible but it's on you |
General comparison only. Insurance policies differ, so check your PDS. Unsure which route suits your accident? Call us and we'll tell you straight, even if the answer is "use your insurer".
Not-at-fault car hire questions
How do I get a hire car?
Replacement vehicles may be arranged for eligible not-at-fault drivers, subject to liability being accepted and eligibility requirements being met. Tell us what happened, and once eligibility is confirmed we schedule delivery to your home, work or repairer.
What car will I get?
A like-for-like vehicle: comparable in size and type to your own, subject to availability. Browse the classes on our replacement vehicles page, and read what like-for-like means in practice.
How long can I keep the hire car?
Generally for the reasonable period your car is under repair, or, for write-offs, a reasonable period to settlement. Our guide on hire duration explains how that's assessed.
Do I pay a bond, excess or fuel?
No bond and no hire excess for eligible not-at-fault customers. You cover your own running costs (fuel and tolls) exactly as you would in your own car.
Can I get a hire car if my car is still driveable?
Once your car goes in for repair you'll still need transport. That's typically when hire starts. If damage makes the car unsafe, we can usually start sooner. Either way, we'll time it with you.
What's the catch?
No catch, but there is fine print, and we'd rather you read it: services are provided on credit under a hire agreement, and in limited cases (for example, if you gave us inaccurate information or you're found at fault) costs can become your responsibility. It's all in our Terms, in plain English.
Related services & reading
Accident Replacement Vehicle
What you're entitled to drive while yours is repaired, and how delivery works.
Read moreGuide: Who pays for the hire car?
The money question, answered honestly, including when costs can bounce back to you.
Read moreGuide: Hire car vs courtesy car
How not-at-fault hire compares to your insurer's benefit and a repairer's courtesy car.
Read moreStuck without a car since the accident?
One call today, and we'll get a like-for-like car arranged for you, if you're eligible.
Eligibility confirmed after we review your accident. Subject to availability and our hire agreement.