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Compare a hire car through your insurer, a rental you pay for and an accident replacement vehicle, and see who pays and how long each lasts.

Rental Car or Accident Replacement Vehicle: What Can You Get After an Accident?

<p></p><div class="__editor_html"><p>When you’ve been involved in a car accident, one of your major concerns will be how you’ll get around while your own car is in for repairs. You may be wondering how to get a vehicle and what you’re entitled to after a car accident. It’s important to keep in mind that your options will depend on <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/how-to-prove-who-is-at-fault-in-car-accident">who is at fault</a> in the car accident. If you’re the not at fault driver, you can generally claim to be put back in the position you were in before the accident, and that can include the reasonable cost of replacement transport.</p>
<p>There are three main ways to get a car after an accident:</p>
<ul>
<li>A hire car through your own insurer, if your policy includes it.</li>
<li>A rental car you book and pay for yourself.</li>
<li>An accident replacement vehicle from Right2Drive, if you were not at fault and are eligible.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How To Get A Rental Car After An Accident</h2>
<p>If the car accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to access a rental car through your insurer. This depends on your insurer and the type of policy you have. Many comprehensive policies include hire car cover after a not at fault accident, sometimes for a set number of days and sometimes until repairs are finished, while cover after an accident that was your fault, or for other events, is more often an optional extra. You should always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so you understand the inclusions and limitations of your policy, including the type of car you could receive and how long you’re allowed to keep it.</p>
<p>Ask your insurer before you book anything: whether you’re covered, who arranges the car, any daily or day limit, and when cover ends, including if your car is written off. Our guide to <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/how-does-an-accident-loan-car-differ-from-the-car-hire-option-on-an-insurance-policy">how an accident loan car differs from the car hire option on your policy</a> goes into more detail.</p>
<p>Another option is to book a car from a rental company. You would usually pay upfront, and this can prove expensive. Many rental companies set a minimum age of 21, add a daily surcharge for drivers under 25, and may not hire to learner or provisional licence holders, so check the company’s terms before you book. Compare the total cost rather than the daily rate alone, because additional drivers, damage cover, tolls and fuel can change the bill.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.right2drive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023.02.24-Blog-Post-Image-1.jpg"></p>
<h2>Who Pays For A Rental Car After An Accident?</h2>
<p>As the not at fault driver, you may be able to claim your reasonable costs from the at fault driver’s insurer following an accident. Who pays for a rental car in practice depends on the route you choose: your own insurer under your policy, you directly if you book and pay for a rental yourself, or the at fault driver’s insurer where hire costs are recovered from them under an approved accident replacement vehicle.</p>
<p>If you pay for a rental yourself and hope to be reimbursed, confirm the arrangement with the relevant insurer first and keep your rental agreement and receipts. The hire rate, the length of hire and your need for a car can all be questioned, so being not at fault doesn’t guarantee that every charge on a rental invoice will be reimbursed.</p>
<h2>How Long Will Insurance Pay For My Rental Car After An Accident?</h2>
<p>It’s always best to confirm specific details with your insurer, and to check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Some insurers may allow policy holders to keep the rental car until repairs are finished or their claim has been settled, while other insurers may have a cap on the number of days or dollar amount, or both.</p>
<p>If your car is written off, ask when your hire car cover ends, because it may finish before your settlement payment arrives. Our <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-car-write-offs">write-off guide</a> explains the difference between an assessment and a settlement.</p>
<h2>What Is an Accident Replacement Vehicle, and How Do You Get One?</h2>
<p>An accident replacement vehicle, sometimes called an accident loan car, is a temporary car for an eligible driver who was not at fault, while their own car is repaired or until a total loss settlement is paid. Unlike a standard rental, there are no vehicle hire costs for you to pay when you meet the hire agreement, because Right2Drive recovers them from the at fault driver’s insurer. You can read more about the <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/accident-replacement-vehicle">accident replacement vehicle service</a>.</p>
<p>If you’ve had a car accident and you are the not at fault driver, <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/are-you-eligible-for-an-accident-replacement-vehicle-at-no-cost-to-you">you may be eligible</a> for an accident replacement vehicle through Right2Drive, even if you don’t have an insurance policy of your own. If you are eligible, you can <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/am-i-eligible">check your eligibility and put in an application</a>. We aim to give same-day approval once we receive your completed application.</p>
<p>Start with what you have: your licence and accident details, plus the at fault driver’s name, contact number, vehicle registration, insurer and claim number where available. If you’re missing some details, our team can help you work out what else is needed.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.right2drive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023.02.24-Blog-Post-Image-2.jpg"></p>
<h2>Who Pays For An Accident Replacement Vehicle After An Accident?</h2>
<p>For an approved hire where you were not at fault, there are no vehicle hire costs for you to pay, as long as you meet the terms of the hire agreement. Right2Drive recovers those costs directly from the at fault driver’s insurer. You still pay normal running costs such as fuel and tolls, and fines and other charges may apply under our <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/terms-conditions">terms and conditions</a>. Our <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/accident-loan-cars-your-questions-answered">accident loan car questions</a> explain the costs in more detail.</p>
<h2>How Long Can I Keep The Accident Replacement Vehicle?</h2>
<p>Our accident replacement vehicles can be used while your damaged vehicle is being repaired or, in the case of a total loss, until you receive your settlement payment, subject to the agreed hire terms. Let the team know about assessment and settlement updates so we can confirm the return arrangements. Where available, we’ll also deliver the accident replacement car to you at a time and place that suit you best and collect it from you again at the end of your repairs.</p>
<p>We aim to match your car with one that has room for the people and things you carry, subject to availability, so work, school runs and appointments can carry on without relying on public transport.</p>
<h2>What If the Accident Was My Fault or Fault Is Unclear?</h2>
<p>Right2Drive’s not at fault service may not suit you. Ask your own insurer what hire car cover applies, or consider paying for a rental. If fault is unclear, give your insurer the evidence you have and wait for its assessment rather than assuming approval. Our guide on <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/how-to-prove-who-is-at-fault-in-car-accident">how to prove who is at fault</a> can help.</p>
<p>Whichever route you take, confirm who pays, which car you’ll get and when it goes back before you agree. If another driver caused the accident, you can <a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/am-i-eligible">check your eligibility with Right2Drive</a> to see whether we can help.</p>
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<p>When you’ve been involved in a car accident, one of your major concerns will be how you you’ll be able to get around while your own car is in for repairs. You may be wondering how to get a vehicle and what you’re entitled to after a car accident. It’s important to keep in mind that your entitlements will depend on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/determining-fault-after-a-car-accident" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">who is at fault</a>&nbsp;in the car accident. If you’re the not at fault driver, you have the right to be placed back into the position you were in before the car accident.</p><h2>How To Get A Rental Car After An Accident</h2><p>If the car accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to access a rental car through your insurer. This is dependent on your insurer, and the type of policy you have with them. You should always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so you understand the inclusions and limitations of your policy. In some instances, you may only have access to a rental car through your insurer if you’ve purchased this as an optional extra on your insurance policy. Keep in mind that there may be limitations on the rental car if you do receive one through your insurer. These could include the type of car you receive and the length of time you’re allowed to use it.</p><p>Another option you may consider after you’ve had an accident is using a car rental company. This could prove expensive and younger drivers may face age limits and under 25 surcharges at many rental providers.</p><p><img alt="" src="https://www.right2drive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023.02.24-Blog-Post-Image-1.jpg" title="" resizable="false"></p><h2>Who Pays For A Rental Car After An Accident?</h2><p>As the not at fault driver, you’re entitled to have your damages covered by the at fault driver or their insurer following an accident. However, payment for a rental car will depend on whether the at fault party has insurance and whose insurance policy you decide to claim through. Depending on your situation, you may have been paying extra to have car rental as an optional extra on your insurance policy and elect to use that.</p><h2>How Long Will Insurance Pay For My Rental Car After An Accident?</h2><p>It’s always best to confirm specific details with your insurer, and to check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Some insurers may allow specific policy holders to keep the rental car until their claim has been settled, while other insurers may have a cap on the number of days or dollar amount, or both.</p><h2>How To Get An Accident Replacement Vehicle</h2><p>If you’ve had a car accident and you are the not at fault driver,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/are-you-eligible-for-an-accident-replacement-vehicle-at-no-cost-to-you" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">you may be eligible</a>&nbsp;for an accident replacement vehicle through Right2Drive. If you are eligible,&nbsp;<a href="https://apply.right2drive.com.au/WebLeadGenerate?AdditionalParams=dyt6aEo2RWd1Sm8yQUQxbmw4anNwZ2k0aFNPcDdwYkRHMnlwNFgwVW5ZSDJIbUgvYlBNWm5YbG1mM2VyWjJFOTE4L0s2Smw0SHJrTHBRSzlGSGlNTk1FTmpmd0k2OCtjTHZrcnRoSDY1cnQrUzNjRDdEWitqdTZmUVNxYVc0eFF6TEU2b1NXYTJ6ekxaNE5FNkRLRnl5S3dIMjU3eEM2OUppWEtwYnhKdkNkR0REWWpqbEpLK2VBMjdFS2Y1S0hUWVFXZk9Pd3FZdXJSWTRWNHFqZEgwU3VNdytuTlMvRnc2TDdmSFk0LzNOcz0=" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">simply put in an application</a>&nbsp;and we’ll get back to in 24 – 48 hours to let you know if your application has been approved.</p><p><img alt="" src="https://www.right2drive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023.02.24-Blog-Post-Image-2.jpg" title="" resizable="false"></p><h2>Who Pays For An Accident Replacement Vehicle After An Accident?</h2><p>You won’t be liable for the rental costs as long as you are the not at fault driver, you assist us in the recovery of the costs from the at fault party or their insurer, and otherwise act in accordance with the terms and conditions of our agreement. Even if you&nbsp;<a href="https://www.right2drive.com.au/articles/car-accident-no-insurance-not-at-fault" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">don’t have your own car insurance policy,</a>&nbsp;you may still be eligible for an accident replacement vehicle through Right2Drive.</p><h2>How Long Can I Keep The Accident Replacement Vehicle?</h2><p>Our accident replacement vehicles can be used while your damaged vehicle is being repaired or in the case of total loss, until you receive settlement. We’ll also deliver the accident replacement car to you at a time and place that suit you best and collect it from you again at the end of your repairs.</p>

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