Replacement Car (During Repair) after Car Accident Which Is Not My Fault

eatwell365 on 25/04/2016 - 23:51
Last edited 26/04/2016 - 10:12 by 1 other user

Wonder if another has used replacement car service when car is being repaired during car accident, in particular when you are not at fault.

Here is the story:

Wife took my car to drive for just one day (as hers was having service).
When she was sitting in her parked car in shopping centre, a sedan driven by another lady got into the car parking space next to hers, entering with the front end first. How on earth happened is a mystery - this lady managed to scratch the back passenger's panel, back and front door on the passengers side with the front bumper bar of her car. This lady parked the car and tried to walk away. My wife got out and stopped her for ID.

Both cars are insured. The other party is at fault.

Question is in regard to replacement car during repair and being assessed.

  1. Heard of notmyfault.com.au - checked out their website but not sure how it works or charges. Anyone can comment on this type of car replacement company? Assume notmyfault will claim costs from the other party's insurance company.
  2. Another option is that I have paid extra premium on my comprehensive car insurance so hire car is included when accident happens (regardless of fault). Seems like I hire a car and send the bill to my insurance company for this.

Which option will you take if this happens to you?

Option 3 - panel repairer can offer a loan bomb.

Thank you in advance your comments.

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2016 - 00:06

    Option 2.

    And as you were not at fault, your premium shouldn't go up.

    • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 00:08

      I could be wrong.
      Option 2 I need to go and pick up the rent vehicle and paid hire car excess insurance. Option 1 I believe they drop the car and cover the lot.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2016 - 00:38

        If you opt for a hire car through your insurance company after lodging a claim with them, you might have to pay certain charges upfront but as you were not at fault you should be able to claim those expenses back from your insurer.

        • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 04:10

          thanks, but told not the hire car excess waiver insurance - if anyone can confirm.

        • garffi on 26/04/2016 - 09:12

          @eatwell365: I had to pay a $200 deposit upfront which they give back to you after you returned the car.
          If you get in an accident with the hire car, you will need to pay an excess fee which ranges from $1000 up to $4000.
          You can reduce that excess fee to $0 if you pay like ~$20 a day.
          This was with hertz.

  • cockneylondoner on 26/04/2016 - 06:30

    I would suggest that you speak to your insurance company and find out exactly where you stand and what costs you will be responsible for (if any).
    No doubt you will have an excess on your policy and you'll need to ascertain who is going to pay that. If you, will your insurance company reimburse you or will it be necessary for you to make a claim against the other party.

    You should ascertain who is going to arrange for the repair and provide a car whilst yours is being repaired. I would caution you about undertaking a hire car on your own volition as there is a chance that you won't get all of your money back especially if the hire car could be classed as being of a better class than your own e.g. hiring a Rolls Royce whilst your Swift is being repaired.
    Whilst a car supplied by a body shop might dent your 'street cred' at least you won't have problems claiming its cost back.

    As far as using a 'claims company'; I'd suggest you find out their charges before employing them to act for you. It might well be that unless you suffer loss of wages due to the accident the claims companies costs may outweigh any monies you might receive.

    • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 06:58

      thanks. claim has been lodged and spoken to insurance company. 90% percent chance sure I wouldn't be out of pocket for the options as the other party is at fault.
      hope to get feedback from people who had experience with replacement cars.

  • tomleonhart on 26/04/2016 - 08:23
    +2

    Regardless of what the other insurance party says, you are entitle for a replacement car if you're not at fault.

    In my experience, I was not at fault and I only had third party insurance. The other party lodged a claim with their insurance.

    I went to Right2drive and they said they will deliver a loan car on the day of my panel beater appointment. So I made an appointment with the NRMA panel beater.

    I got a called from NRMA(the other party insurance) told me that if the cost of the loan car is OTT, they won't pay and I will be out of pocket and that I should go with their recommended car hire option. Their recommended car hire option was Hertz and Hert won't deliver the car to me, I would have to somehow make my way to their office.

    I went with Right2drive anyway, picked the loan car up the day i dropped my car off and dropped the loan car back to the panel beater when i picked up my repaired car. Heard nothing from NRMA again :)

    • spackbace on 26/04/2016 - 10:38
      +2

      Their recommended car hire option was Hertz and Hert won't deliver the car to me, I would have to somehow make my way to their office.

      With SGIO, they paid for a taxi to take me from the panel beaters to the hire car company to pick up the hire care :)

      • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 13:33

        same on return? thanks spackbace.

        • spackbace on 26/04/2016 - 13:33

          I didn't use it on return so I'm not 100% sure if they offered it, but it's likely they would

    • eatwell365 on 26/04/2016 - 13:30

      thanks. did you do homework and look at different companies before picking right2drive - happy?!

      • tomleonhart on 26/04/2016 - 13:43

        to be honest i didnt do my homework. My boss however has used them and recommended them.

        It costs nothing to me anyway so I didn't mind at all. I'm happy with Right2drive though :) Cost me nothing, no drama, no follow up.

  • tomsco on 26/04/2016 - 09:06

    OP, I'm so happy for you that your wife was in the car. What scum trying to walk off.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2016 - 22:38

    The doubler

  • Aust on 27/04/2016 - 17:08

    You need to speak to your insurer and tell them you want to enable the hire vehicle extension while yours is off the road being repaired.
    The will likely have an arrangement with Hertz, Avis etc. (I know CGU use Hertz)

  • eatwell365 on 28/04/2016 - 00:09

    Spoken to NRMA - very helpful and discussed the pros and cons.

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