If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident, you’ll know that one of your first thoughts will be around how you can get back on the road and get to work, keep appointments, and maintain your family commitments.
Typically, your legal entitlements after a car accident are determined by which driver is at fault. Determining fault is crucial as it affects liability. If you are involved in a no fault accident, it means you didn’t contribute to the accident in any way and the other driver or their insurer needs to cover the costs associated with your towing, repairs and hire car.
You may have heard the term ‘accident replacement vehicle’ and be wondering how it’s different from a regular hire car. If you’re curious about the benefits of choosing an accident replacement vehicle over a hire car when you’re not at fault, keep reading.
What Is A Hire Car?
After you’ve been in a car accident, you may consider is getting a hire car (also called a rental car) while your own car is in for repairs. This is typically a car that is paid for and borrowed for a set period through a car hire company. However, there are some downsides to hiring a car – especially if you’re a young driver.
Can You Hire A Car Under 25?
Many car hire companies in Australia have a minimum age limit for a driver to be able to hire a car. In many cases, drivers who are under the age of 25 are subject to limitations and surcharges on their hire, although these restrictions and costs vary between different companies. Keep in mind that many companies apply a daily surcharge for drivers under the age of 25, which can work out to be costly, depending on how long you’ll need the car for.
Can You Hire A Car On P Plates?
Having a provisional driver’s licence can make it difficult for you to be able to get a hire car, as many companies will only rent to fully licenced drivers. Although there are exceptions when certain companies may rent to green p-plate holders, it would generally be difficult to get a hire car without a full driver’s licence.
How Can An Accident Replacement Vehicle Benefit You?
An accident replacement vehicle (also called an accident loan car) is a vehicle provided to eligible not at fault drivers after a car accident by credit hire businesses like Right2Drive. The accident replacement vehicle is at no cost to the not at fault driver and can be used by the driver for the entire period their damaged vehicle is being repaired or until settlement of total loss is confirmed. Costs are then recovered through the at fault driver or their insurer.
At Right2Drive, we uphold your legal rights after a not at fault car accident by providing a replacement vehicle equivalent to your own that was involved in the accident. We’re able to provide eligible drivers under the age of 25 with an accident replacement vehicle. There are also no restrictions on the licence type you need to hold to be eligible for an accident replacement vehicle. You do, however, need to hold a valid Australian learner, provisional, or full driver’s licence.
Unlike most car hire services that require you to get to one of their branches to collect and return your vehicle, with Right2Drive, we’ll arrange vehicle drop-off and pick-up at a time and location convenient to you.
If you’re eligible, you can apply now or call our team on 1300 100 121.
