Car Accident - Hire Car Options

b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 12:56

Hi All,

Looking for some help here.

My car was involved into an accident today. Someone ran into me from rear while I was driving (i.e. I wasn't at complete standstill when it happended). I was driving at at far lower speed than the limit as it was peak time.

I made a call with my insurance company and lodged claim. My car is being accessed at this time (which will take upto 48hrs) so it is unknown at this stage as to when I will get my car back. I have told it may be upto 2 weeks for it to be handed over.

However I dont have car hire added to my policy so my insurance company can't help me regarding replacement car. They asked me to call other party's insurance company and check with them, which I did and I was told by other party's insurance company that there is no claim lodged yet so they can't help either. I do not wish to contact other person involved unless I really have to.

I need a replacement car urgently as this is my only car. I am left in a limbo now and feeling helpless. Can anyone suggest anything or I have to bite the bullet?

Regards,

Automotive

Comments

  • toniyellow on 13/08/2015 - 13:01
    +2

    There are places that do car hire and chase the at fault driver for payment e.g. http://www.notatfault.com.au/

    Look around for reviews on them? It sounds almost too good to be true but might work.

    I have not used them as my mechanic has loan cars and will give them out if you have the car towed to their place.
    Tow truck drivers seem to get a kickback from suggesting these places though.

    Hope you are ok!

    • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 13:05

      Thanks toniyellow,

      I was with my kids. Kids are ok. Does anyone have experience with these 'Not At Fault' guys?

      Thanks again,

      • rambutann on 13/08/2015 - 13:29

        Its in Sydney.

        • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 13:37

          Thanks.

      • Geewhizz on 14/08/2015 - 05:52

        Not directly related to your original question, but are you aware that there's a high chance any children's car seats may need to be replaced? Generally if there's any structural damage AT ALL they must be replaced, but even if there wasn't, given that any seats that were in use at the time would have borne some stress from the impact you might want to consider getting them replaced through the other party's insurance anyway, simply for peace of mind.

        May I ask who your insurer is please? I'm stunned at their response, given that it's the other insurer who will be bearing the cost.

  • tomleonhart on 13/08/2015 - 13:31

    I used right2drive. They were easy :)

    • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 13:36

      I think they are NSW too…..
      :(

      • tomleonhart on 13/08/2015 - 15:47

        OH sorry :( didnt know you're from Mel

        • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 16:12

          no probs, thanks anyway.

  • Paul Atreides on 13/08/2015 - 14:09

    assuming you arent at fault, i believe youre entitled to one.

    your policy hire car inclusions/exclusions doesnt really matter. If it's comprehensive, you SHOULD be able to claim one through your insurance provider, and they'll chase up the other party's insurance provider for you (I'm guessing you do since they're assessing your car).

    if not, then hire one (pay first), and claim it on the other party's insurance by getting a claim number of them. or you can go through third parties as above. i didnt cos its 10x more expensive, and I didn't want the cost of the accident screwing up the other persons premium long-term.

    • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 15:07

      yes I am not at fault.

      I checked with my provider and they say since I haven't had hire car option selected at the time of purchase, they can't legally claim the expenses on my behalf from the other insurer.

      I also prefer not to go through 3rd party car hire.

  • Davo1111 on 13/08/2015 - 15:39

    I need a replacement car urgently as this is my only car

    Well, you really don't have an option, do you?

    • take public transport/hitchhike
    • hire a car (and possibly try and reclaim expenses)
    • loan a car from a friend
  • sagrules on 13/08/2015 - 16:51
    +1

    We have used this one - http://www.compassclaims.com.au/our-locations/
    Just checked and its available in every state.

    • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 18:05

      how were they?? do you recommend using them? is there any catch or something that I need to aware of??

      TIA

      • sagrules on 13/08/2015 - 18:17

        They were good - didnt have any issues. Let us use the car for as long as we needed. Like most things read the terms and conditions before you sign anything.

        • b_sean on 13/08/2015 - 19:03

          ok, thanks again.

    • derpdeder on 13/08/2015 - 20:59
      +1

      +1. Compass were great. Made me rethink whether I should include car hire on my car insurance because it is only useful if you are at fault or no one is deemed fault. They collected whatever the cost of their car hire service was from the other guy who was at fault.

  • jar-unit on 13/08/2015 - 18:39

    Use Uber

  • windale on 14/08/2015 - 08:03

    The other side will not admit liability until the day after your car goes in for repair so don't expect much help from them. When it happened to me they would only cover a car while my car was actually being repaired but as they didn't admit liability until the last second it didn't help me much. I went fishing instead for a week.

    What I am trying to say is sure hire a car but you may end up paying for it if they don't agree to pay it. They will be tough cookies. You may be better off buying a cheap car for the meantime and then sell it again. Round here it can take 2-3 months before they can even get round to fixing your car.

    Good luck

    • Paul Atreides on 14/08/2015 - 09:22

      maybe in a more complex incident?

      being hit from behind; its very clear who is at fault here, regardless of whether they admit liability or not.

      EDIT: IMO

      • windale on 15/08/2015 - 07:39

        I was hit from behind at traffic lights by a semi trailer. I thought it was clear cut but their insurance company refused to accept liability until the last minute. I believe this is common practice.

  • plowry1977 on 14/08/2015 - 09:53

    We had a similar incident, but being with NRMA they arranged the hire car for us.
    At the end of the approx 3 weeks car hire we had to foot the 800 bill, but then NRMA chased up the other party for the money, and reimbursed us. It did take maybe an extra month for us to get reimbursed though.

  • Noblejoker on 14/08/2015 - 12:01

    First off - worth the extra to get the hire car option and then this isn't a hassle
    Also if you have a choice of repairer you can pick a smashie that has a loan vehicle to offer you

    You are entitled to reasonable hire costs (that is hire of similar vehicle for the time effected) to reimbursed by the insurer of the party at fault
    Some Insurance companies when you are not at fault will take your account and include it in what they recover
    More likely you will need to do this yourself afterwards
    As above there are companies who will do this for you - but at some cost
    You could be pretty sure you will get the money back if you pursue yourself - so the question is what is that hassle worth to you?

  • sirlach on 14/08/2015 - 13:05

    If it wasn't your fault you are legally entitled to a replacement car of equal value to your vehicle.

    These are all available in VIC.

    http://www.itwasntmyfault.com.au/

    http://acornrentals.com.au/locations/ - These guys do free replacement vehicle.

    http://www.compassclaims.com.au/non-fault-replacement-vehicl…

    http://www.courtesycars.com.au/accident-replacement-vehicles…

    They handle the paperwork and get the money out of the insurance companies.

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