You shouldn’t face complications while getting a not at fault hire car after someone crashes into your vehicle. Many Australians don’t understand their rights after losing their transportation due to another driver’s mistake. Not My Fault’s success shows this clearly – they’ve helped over 25,000 motorists get back on the road after not-at-fault accidents.

A replacement vehicle might be available to you at no cost if you’ve been involved in a not at fault car accident. The process to claim car hire after accident situations changes based on your insurance coverage and specific circumstances. Your insurer’s courtesy car options or working with a third-party hire company will determine who pays for hire car after accident damage – this knowledge helps you avoid unexpected bills.

This complete guide details your entitlements and shows you how to access a hire car without paying excess when you’re not at fault. You’ll also learn about the pitfalls to avoid with accident car hire companies that advertise “free” services that could leave you financially vulnerable.

Are you eligible for a hire car after a not at fault accident?

Your eligibility for a not at fault hire car after someone else causes an accident depends on several factors. A clear understanding of these requirements will help you avoid stress and extra costs while your car gets repaired.

Check if your insurance has hire car cover

Most comprehensive car insurance policies in Australia provide hire car coverage for not-at-fault accidents. Some insurers include this in their standard package. Others might list it as an optional extra that raises your premium.

Here’s how to check your coverage:

Look through your comprehensive policy documents for “not-at-fault accident car hire” coverage
Ask your insurer about your specific entitlements
Check the daily rate limits and maximum hire periods

NRMA Comprehensive Insurance will set up a hire car if you weren’t at fault. AAMI Comprehensive policies also cover reasonable hire car costs after a not-at-fault incident until your claim settles or your car gets fixed.

What details you need from the at-fault driver

Getting specific information is a vital part of securing your hire car entitlement. Most insurers need:

The at-fault driver’s full name and address
Their vehicle registration number
Their insurance details (if available)

Your insurer won’t provide a hire car without these details, even with comprehensive coverage. NRMA makes this clear: “If you don’t have the contact details of the at fault driver… you wouldn’t be eligible for this cover”.

How you may still qualify without optional cover

You might still get a replacement vehicle without specific insurance coverage. Australian common law states that if someone else damaged your vehicle, you could get a hire car with costs covered by the at-fault party.

You have several options:

Third-party hire companies that focus on not-at-fault accidents can give you vehicles without upfront costs
Some companies provide “courtesy hire cars” and chase payment from the at-fault person’s insurer
Third Party Property Damage policyholders can claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer

National Motor Claims confirms this: “If you’re not at fault for the car accident, you’re eligible for Not At Fault Car Hire – whether you have insurance or not”.

Choosing between your insurer and a third-party hire company

Your choice between using your insurer or a third-party hire company for a replacement vehicle after a not at fault accident can affect your experience and create financial risks.

Pros and cons of using your insurer

Your insurer offers the safest way to get a hire car after accident cases. Most policies let you get a similar rental car right away, even if another driver caused the accident. The insurer takes care of getting the money back from the at-fault driver’s insurance later.

Getting a car through your insurer has fewer hassles and clearer rules. The catch? Without hire car coverage in your policy, you might face daily limits or a maximum rental period (usually 14-30 days). This might not be enough time until your car gets fixed.

Risks of using credit hire companies

Third-party “credit hire” companies promise “free” replacement vehicles to drivers who aren’t at fault. The truth is you’re getting the car on credit, and the company tries to get paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance.

These companies bring big risks. You could end up owing tens of thousands of dollars if they can’t get money from the other driver. On top of that, many drivers don’t know these companies might:

Start legal action using your name without explaining everything
Charge much higher daily rates than normal
Make you pay their legal fees if they can’t recover costs

The Financial Ombudsman Service warns, “People have told us that they would never knowingly have chosen credit hire had they known the risks of having to pay the costs involved themselves.”

What to ask before signing anything

Read every part of the agreement before you sign. Here are key questions to ask:

What exactly can the company do in my name?
Do I have to pay if they can’t get money from the at-fault driver?
Can they take legal action using my name, and what must I do?
What happens if they can’t find the at-fault driver or they don’t have insurance?
What’s the daily cost, and how does it match up with normal rates?
Can I still claim other losses like repairs and lost wages?

What costs are covered and who pays for the hire car

Understanding who pays for hire car after accident costs can be tricky. A replacement vehicle is just the first step, and you need to know your financial obligations to avoid surprise charges.

The at-fault driver’s insurer handles payment

Most people don’t realize that the at-fault driver’s insurance covers your rental car expenses. Australian laws make the at-fault driver’s insurance pay for a not at fault hire car while your vehicle gets repaired. You won’t need to worry about extra expenses for the rental.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company covers these costs:

Repair costs or market value (whichever is less)
Towing and storage costs
Daily hire car charges
Lost wages or profits if your vehicle is used for income

The rental company usually bills the at-fault driver’s insurance directly, which makes things easier for you. In spite of that, you should double-check with both companies about possible hidden costs.

Dealing with an uninsured at-fault driver

A hire car accident not at fault situation with an uninsured driver leaves you with several options:

Your comprehensive policy might have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Insurance companies often include this protection for these exact situations.

You can also seek compensation directly from the at-fault driver. This could mean negotiating or going to small claims court. Your legal rights to compensation remain the same whatever the other driver’s insurance status.

Your share of costs and expenses

Some expenses stay your responsibility even with claiming car hire after accident arrangements. Hire car companies don’t cover these costs:

Fuel (return the vehicle with the same amount)
Tolls and parking fees
Traffic infringements
Cleaning fees if returned dirty
Damage not related to the original accident

Credit hire companies might hold you liable for the entire bill if they can’t recover costs from the at-fault party. So, read your agreements carefully and ask what happens if they can’t recover the costs.

What to do if there’s a dispute or legal issue

Disputes might pop up during the hire car after accident process, even if you’re not the one at fault. The right response protects your rights and helps you avoid stress.

How to handle letters of demand or court notices

A formal letter about your not at fault hire car needs quick action. Your original step should be thorough documentation – take photos of notices, note delivery dates, and keep a record of all communications.

Official documents need your attention. Ignoring them could result in default judgments against you. Here’s what you should do:

Contact your insurer immediately (before responding to any notice)
Forward copies of all documents within 24 hours
Follow your insurer’s guidance precisely about next steps

Court notices come with strict deadlines, some as short as 21 days to respond. Missed deadlines can substantially hurt your case.

When to get legal advice

Your case might just need professional legal help beyond your insurer’s support. You should think over getting a lawyer if:

The at-fault party completely denies liability
Court documents name you as a defendant
A credit hire company starts legal proceedings in your name
The other party claims you misrepresented accident facts
You face large costs you believe aren’t your responsibility

Many insurance policies include legal benefits that cover consultation costs for not at fault car accident cases. A quick chat with a lawyer can show you your options and protect your interests.

How your insurer can help resolve disputes

Your insurer brings extensive experience in handling hire car accident not at fault disputes. Most insurers provide:

Expert negotiation with the at-fault insurer
Documentation verification and submission
Representation in insurance ombudsman complaints
Services to avoid court proceedings

Quick communication with your insurer helps resolve issues faster. Send them all correspondence right away. Disputes often settle quicker when insurers talk directly rather than through you.

Keep detailed records of repair costs, rental expenses, and all communications throughout any dispute. These records are a great way to get support if settlement talks run long or move to formal proceedings.

Conclusion

Getting to know your replacement vehicle entitlements after a not-at-fault accident can save you money and reduce stress. This piece explains how your insurance affects your options. You’ll learn what details you need from the at-fault driver and key differences between using your insurer versus third-party hire companies.

The aftermath of an accident feels overwhelming. But knowing who covers your hire car costs and what’s included helps you get the right transportation while your car is being repaired. It also helps you handle disputes and protects you from unexpected costs that some credit hire deals might bring.

Your right to a replacement vehicle exists whatever the at-fault driver’s insurance status. The steps might change slightly, but you can still claim compensation. Read all terms carefully and ask about extra costs or hidden charges before you sign anything.

Ready to move forward? You can apply online for your replacement vehicle now if you’ve had a not-at-fault accident. Good providers typically get you a suitable car within 24 hours so you can stick to your daily routine.

Australian law protects your right to stay mobile when someone else’s mistake leaves you without a car. You should claim what the law allows while staying clear of traps that could cost you money. This piece gives you the knowledge to handle your not-at-fault hire car situation with confidence.

FAQs

Q1. Am I eligible for a hire car if I’m not at fault in an accident? Yes, you’re typically eligible for a hire car if you’re not at fault in an accident. This applies whether you have insurance or not. However, your eligibility may depend on factors like your insurance coverage and the details you can provide about the at-fault driver.

Q2. Who pays for the hire car after a not-at-fault accident? Generally, the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for covering the costs of your hire car. This includes daily hire charges and other related expenses. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may need to pursue them directly or check if your own insurance policy covers such situations.

Q3. What information do I need to collect from the at-fault driver? You should gather the at-fault driver’s full name, address, vehicle registration number, and insurance details (if available). This information is crucial for securing your hire car entitlement and for most insurers to approve your claim.

Q4. Are there any risks in using third-party hire companies? Yes, there are potential risks when using third-party “credit hire” companies. These may include being held responsible for inflated daily rates, unexpected legal proceedings, or facing large bills if the company can’t recover costs from the at-fault driver. It’s important to read agreements carefully before signing.

Q5. What should I do if I receive a letter of demand or court notice regarding my hire car? If you receive any formal correspondence about your hire car, take immediate action. Document everything, contact your insurer immediately, forward copies of all documents within 24 hours, and follow your insurer’s guidance precisely. Never ignore official documents as this can lead to default judgments against you.

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