When your vehicle is off the road, whether due to an accident, mechanical issue, or unexpected damage, staying mobile becomes the immediate priority. Receiving a rental car during the repair period allows you to continue your daily routine without disruption.
In Australia, there are generally two main pathways to securing a hire car while your vehicle is being repaired:
- Paying for a standard short-term rental yourself
- Accessing an accident replacement vehicle (if you’re eligible), where costs are typically covered by the at-fault insurer rather than paid out of your own pocket
Your options depend on how your car ended up in the repair shop and whether another party is responsible for the damage to your vehicle.
Many drivers assume they must go through their insurer or pay out of pocket. However, that’s not always the case — particularly if the damage wasn’t your fault.
Understanding your situation early helps you avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and confusion.
2. First, Consider Why Your Car Is Being Repaired
Before organising a rental car for repairs, it’s important to consider why your vehicle is off the road. This will impact what options are available to you, who pays for the hire, and how long you can keep a hire car.
Accident (Not at Fault)
If another driver caused the accident, you may be legally entitled to a replacement vehicle. In many cases, the cost of your hire car is recoverable from the at-fault driver’s insurer, meaning you don’t need to pay out of pocket if you meet eligibility criteria.
Accident (At Fault)
If you caused the accident, your options depend on your insurance policy. Some comprehensive policies include hire car cover, but this may be limited by time (for example, up to two weeks) or by vehicle type.
If you don’t have this cover, you’ll typically need to organise and pay for a rental car yourself.
Mechanical Breakdown or General Repairs
If your car is in the workshop due to a breakdown or maintenance issue, hire car costs are generally your responsibility. In this case, standard short-term rental is the most common solution.
3. What To Do If Your Car Was Damaged In a Not-At-Fault Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident and it wasn’t your fault, your situation is very different from a standard rental scenario.
This is where a service like I’m In The Right can assist you early in the process and help Drivers who may feel uncertain about what to do next — especially when dealing with insurers, repairers, and transport all at once.
Instead of navigating everything alone, eligible not-at-fault drivers can access personalised support from I’m in the Right. This includes arranging a replacement vehicle for no out of pocket costs, as well as handling the administrative side of the claim and repair.
Under Australian law, not-at-fault drivers are generally entitled to a like-for-like replacement vehicle while their car is being repaired or assessed.
This means:
- You don’t need to be without a car
- You may not need to pay hire costs
- You can continue your routine with minimal disruption
The key is acting quickly after the accident. The sooner arrangements are made, the sooner you can get back on the road.
4. How I’m In The Right Simplifies Your Hire Car Process
For eligible not-at-fault drivers, I’m In The Right focuses on making the process as fast and simple as possible during what is often a stressful time.
Key benefits include:
- Fast vehicle dispatch, often arranged within minutes of approval
- Delivery to your location, whether that’s your home, workplace, or repairer
- End-to-end coordination, including communication with insurers, repairers, and towing services where required
This approach is designed to reduce delays and remove the need to manage multiple parties yourself during the claims process.
5. Hiring a Rental Car During Vehicle Repairs: Going Through Your Insurer vs a Not-At-Fault Car Hire Service
When arranging a hire car during accident repairs, many drivers default to contacting their insurer. While this is one valid pathway, it’s not always the most flexible or cost-effective option for not-at-fault drivers.
Through Your Insurer
Going through your insurer can be straightforward, but it may come with limitations such as:
- Possible caps on hire duration (for example, around two weeks in some policies)
- Potential restrictions on vehicle type, for example due to limited fleet availability
- Excess payments or policy conditions that may apply
- Possible impact on your policy depending on the circumstances
Not-At-Fault Car Hire
For eligible drivers, not-at-fault car hire offers a different structure:
- No out-of-pocket hire costs
- Like-for-like vehicle replacement (including a wide range of vehicle categories such as luxury, commercial, utes, business vehicles, and more through I’m In The Right)
- Hire period aligned with actual repair time, not a fixed limit (including until repairs are completed, the claim is finalised, or a payout is issued if the vehicle is written off)
- Hire costs recovered directly from the at-fault insurer
While both options can get you back on the road, not-at-fault car hire is often the more suitable choice when you are clearly not responsible for the accident and want to avoid unnecessary limitations or upfront expenses.
6. Can You Get a Hire Car If You Do Not Have Comprehensive Insurance?
Yes — having comprehensive insurance is not always required to access a hire car during repairs.
If you were not at fault in an accident, you may still be eligible for a replacement vehicle even if you only have third-party insurance or no insurance at all.
This is because the cost of the hire car is claimed from the at-fault driver’s insurer, not your own policy. In this situation, the at-fault driver must have comprehensive or third-party property insurance.
If you were at fault or your situation does not meet eligibility criteria, you will generally need to arrange and pay for a rental car yourself.
7. What Information Do You Need To Arrange a Rental Car During Repair?
Whether you’re organising a rental car independently or through a service, having the right information ready helps speed up the process.
For Standard Rentals
Most hire companies require:
- A valid driver’s licence
- A credit card
- Personal details
- Basic information about your booking and duration
For Not-At-Fault Car Hire
If you’re accessing a replacement vehicle after an accident, you’ll typically need:
- Accident date and location
- Details of the at-fault driver
- Their insurer information
- Your vehicle registration details
Once provided, the process can move quickly — at I’m In The Right, approval and vehicle delivery can often happen on the same day.
Having this information ready ensures minimal delays and helps you get back on the road as soon as possible.
8. Common Costs You May Still Be Responsible For
Even when you secure a rental car during repairs, there are still some everyday costs to keep in mind.
If You’re Paying for a Standard Rental
You’ll typically be responsible for:
- Daily hire rates
- Fuel costs
- Tolls and parking
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- Additional driver fees
- Fines or infringements
These costs can add up quickly, especially if repairs take longer than expected.
If You’re Using Not-At-Fault Car Hire
For eligible drivers, the hire cost itself is covered by the at-fault party’s insurer. However, you are still responsible for normal running costs you would pay in your own vehicle, such as:
- Fuel
- Tolls
- Parking
- Fines or infringements
This distinction is important — while the vehicle is provided without upfront hire charges, everyday usage costs still apply.
9. What Happens If Repairs Take Longer Than Expected?
Repair timelines don’t always go to plan. Delays can happen due to parts availability, workshop backlogs, or additional damage discovered during the repair process. For example, some parts may need to be sourced from overseas if they’re not readily available locally, which can extend the repair timeframe.
With Standard Rentals
If you’re hiring a car yourself, you’ll need to extend your booking and continue paying for the extra time. This can become expensive over longer periods.
Through an Insurer
If your insurer arranged the hire car, extensions may not always be guaranteed. Once the policy limit is reached, you may need to return the vehicle or cover ongoing costs yourself.
With Not-At-Fault Car Hire
For eligible drivers, the hire period will continue rolling to match the actual repair timeline. With I’m In The Right, this means you can continue using the replacement vehicle until:
- Repairs are completed, or
- Your claim is finalised
This flexibility removes the stress of strict deadlines and helps maintain continuity in your daily life.
10. Hire Cars for Commercial, Luxury and Family Vehicles
Not all drivers have the same needs, which is why the type of replacement vehicle matters.
Everyday and Family Vehicles
For most drivers, maintaining routine is the priority. A suitable replacement vehicle ensures you can continue school runs, commuting, and errands without disruption.
Commercial Vehicles
If your vehicle is essential for work — such as a ute, van, or truck — being off the road can directly impact your income. Access to a comparable commercial vehicle helps keep your business operating.
Luxury Vehicles
Drivers of prestige vehicles often expect a similar level of comfort and performance. Replacement options can include vehicles within the same class, depending on availability and eligibility.
With I’m In The Right, having access to the right type of vehicle helps ensure your lifestyle or work requirements are not compromised while your car is being repaired.
11. Mistakes To Avoid When Arranging a Rental Car for Repairs
Making the wrong decision early can lead to unnecessary costs, delays, or complications.
Waiting Too Long to Arrange a Vehicle
Delays can leave you without transport when you need it most. Acting quickly ensures availability and faster delivery.
Assuming Insurance Covers Everything
Not all policies include hire car cover, and those that do may have limitations. Always check the details before relying on this option.
Accepting the Wrong Vehicle Type
Accepting a vehicle that doesn’t suit your needs can create inconvenience — especially for families or work-related use.
Overlooking Eligibility for Not-At-Fault Hire
Many drivers don’t realise they may be entitled to a replacement vehicle if they weren’t at fault. Missing this option can result in unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.
Avoiding these common mistakes can make the entire process smoother and more cost-effective.
12. Staying Mobile While Your Car Is Being Repaired
Losing access to your car can disrupt every part of your routine — but it doesn’t have to.
A rental car during repairs gives you the flexibility to:
- Continue working
- Manage family responsibilities
- Attend appointments
- Maintain independence
If you’ve been involved in a not-at-fault accident, acting early can make a significant difference. Instead of navigating repairs, insurers, and transport alone, there are solutions designed to keep you moving with minimal stress.
From compact cars to SUVs, luxury and commercial vehicles are available as replacement options through I’m In The Right, helping ensure your daily life continues as normal while your own vehicle is off the road.
