Do You Really Need Hire Car Cover for a Replacement Car?
Many drivers assume they can only access a replacement vehicle if they added hire car cover to their own insurance policy. However, this is not always the case.
Optional hire car cover through your own insurer can still be useful in certain situations, particularly when fault is unclear or when you were responsible for the accident. However, for many not-at-fault drivers, it is not the only pathway to accessing a replacement vehicle.
What Happens If You Were Not at Fault?
If another driver caused the accident, Australian common law supports your right to recover reasonable replacement vehicle costs while your car is off the road.
This means the at-fault party’s insurer is typically responsible for the reasonable hire car costs — not you. In practice, eligibility will often depend on factors such as whether the at-fault driver can be identified, whether they were insured, and whether liability can be established.
For many not-at-fault drivers, this becomes even more relevant when:
- Their vehicle is unsafe to drive
- Repairs will take several weeks or more
- They rely on their vehicle for work or family responsibilities
- Their insurer offers only limited hire car benefits
It’s at this stage that some people may discover that their insurer-provided rental car benefits have some limitations – though this depends on the policy terms and conditions.
When is payment made for a replacement hire car?
A common misconception is that you must first pay for the hire vehicle yourself and then attempt to recover the money later. While this can happen if you organise a rental privately, a provider of not-at-fault replacement vehicles will instead recover the costs directly from the at-fault insurer on your behalf.
For eligible drivers, this can significantly reduce financial pressure and administrative stress during an already difficult situation.
What to Do Immediately After a Not-at-Fault Accident
The steps you take immediately after an accident can make a major difference to how quickly you receive a replacement vehicle.
If you are involved in a not-at-fault accident:
Prioritise Safety First
Move vehicles to a safe location if possible and check whether anyone is injured. Contact emergency services if required.
Collect the Other Driver’s Details
You should obtain:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Address
- Driver licence details
- Vehicle registration
- Insurance company details
Take Photos and Evidence
Photograph:
- Vehicle damage
- Number plates
- Road conditions
- Intersection layouts
- Skid marks or debris
- Any relevant signage
This evidence helps establish liability, especially if fault is later disputed.
Speak Carefully at the Scene
Avoid admitting fault or arguing with the other driver. Simply exchange details and allow insurers or accident management providers to assess the circumstances.
Arrange a Replacement Vehicle
If your car cannot be driven, you don’t need to search for a replacement hire vehicle, wait days for insurer approvals, or try to organise everything alone. Instead, many eligible drivers contact I’m In The Right directly to apply for a not-at-fault replacement vehicle.
How I’m In The Right Helps Eligible Drivers Get a Replacement Vehicle
At I’m In The Right, we help eligible not-at-fault drivers access a comparable replacement vehicle after an accident while their own vehicle is being repaired or assessed. We collect the accident details, confirm eligibility, and once approved, we can often arrange rapid dispatch of a replacement vehicle to your location.
We focus on providing like-for-like replacement vehicles where appropriate, and subject to eligibility; including compact cars, SUVs, EVs, luxury vehicles, and commercial vehicles, so you can continue driving a vehicle similar to the one you normally use. Approved vehicles can be delivered to your home, workplace, or repairer for added convenience, and in many cases can be dispatched within 15 minutes of approval.
As mentioned, eligible not-at-fault drivers are generally not required to pay upfront hire costs because the reasonable hire costs are legally recoverable from the at-fault driver’s insurer. We also manage the recovery process and may assist with insurer liaison, repair coordination, towing, claims support, and, where appropriate, legal support. Drivers remain responsible for normal running costs such as fuel, tolls, parking, and fines.
I’m In The Right is proud to have assisted more than 50,000 not-at-fault drivers across Australia and to operate a national fleet of over 1,200 vehicles.
Do You Need Comprehensive Insurance to Get a Hire Car?
A common misunderstanding after a car accident is that you must hold comprehensive insurance to qualify for a replacement hire vehicle. In many not-at-fault situations, this is not necessarily true.
If another driver caused the accident and they hold valid insurance, eligible drivers may still be able to access a replacement vehicle, even if they only have third-party insurance — or no insurance at all.
This is because the hire costs are recoverable from the at-fault driver’s insurer rather than through your own policy.
In practice, many not-at-fault drivers only realise after an accident that their own insurance policy may not fully cover their hire car needs. For example:
- They did not purchase optional hire car cover
- Their policy only includes limited rental benefits
- Their insurer requires them to pay upfront
- Their insurer will only reimburse certain costs later
This is where using an accident management company such as I’m In The Right can make a significant difference, particularly for drivers who rely heavily on their vehicle for work, family transport, or commercial operations.
Can You Claim Rental Car Costs Back Yourself?
Legally, yes — not-at-fault drivers may organise their own rental vehicle. However, this means paying the rental costs upfront yourself first and then attempting to recover the money later through the insurer or at-fault party.
The process can also become complex in practice. Insurers may request proof that you’re not-at-fault, question whether the rental period was reasonable, request evidence that repairs were progressing appropriately, or potentially argue that the type of replacement vehicle was excessive. Drivers may also need to provide invoices, repair updates, supporting documentation, and proof of ongoing need for the hire vehicle.
This may be stressful if you’re simultaneously dealing with repairs, transport disruption, and the aftermath of the accident itself.
This is one reason many eligible not-at-fault drivers choose to use an accident management provider such as I’m In The Right instead of privately funding a rental vehicle themselves.
Rather than requiring eligible drivers to pay significant upfront rental costs and later seek reimbursement, I’m In The Right manages the recovery process directly with the at-fault insurer while arranging a comparable replacement vehicle.
Why Some Drivers Look Beyond Standard Insurance Hire Cars
In some situations, drivers may choose to arrange a replacement vehicle through either their own insurer or the at-fault party’s insurer. However, insurer-provided hire cars can sometimes come with limitations depending on the policy terms, fleet availability, and claim circumstances.
For example, some insurers may only provide a basic small vehicle rather than a comparable replacement vehicle. In other cases, the hire period itself may be limited under the policy. A driver may be approved for only two weeks of hire car coverage, while the repairer later advises that parts are delayed or need to be sourced from overseas, causing repairs to take significantly longer.
As explained, Australian common law generally supports access to a comparable replacement vehicle for not-at-fault drivers for as long as their own vehicle is off the road. This means the replacement vehicle should reasonably reflect the driver’s normal transport needs rather than simply providing the cheapest available rental vehicle.
Due to these types of limitations, many not-at-fault drivers prefer to use an accident management provider such as I’m In The Right instead.
Rather than simply providing whatever vehicle is available in an insurer fleet, I’m In The Right focuses on arranging like-for-like replacement vehicles for eligible drivers (subject to availability and eligibility).
Luxury vehicle owners may also qualify for a comparable premium replacement vehicle, subject to availability and eligibility. With access to a large vehicle fleet that include brands such as; Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Porsche, and Tesla -I’m In The Right aims to help eligible drivers access a replacement vehicle that closely matches their normal driving needs and lifestyle requirements where possible.
How Long Can You Keep the Hire Car After an Accident?
The length of time you can keep a replacement vehicle after an accident depends on the condition of your own car and the duration of the repair and claims process.
If your vehicle is repairable, you can generally keep the replacement vehicle while repairs are being completed. If your car is written off, you can keep the replacement vehicle until the claim is settled and the payout is received.
Repair timelines can vary significantly depending on:
- Parts availability
- Repair complexity
- Insurer approvals
- Assessment delays
- Supply chain issues
- Whether the vehicle is a total loss
Once your own vehicle is repaired or your settlement is finalised, the replacement vehicle will be collected from you.
What Costs Are You Still Responsible For?
Although eligible not-at-fault drivers may not need to pay hire charges themselves, there are still some normal operating costs you remain responsible for during the hire period, similar to what you would pay for your own vehicle.
These usually include:
- Fuel
- Tolls
- Parking fees
- Traffic fines
- Infringements
Replacement vehicles provided through I’m In The Right are also comprehensively insured while being driven under the agreement, although drivers may still be responsible for any applicable excess if the replacement vehicle is damaged during the hire period.
As with any rental arrangement, drivers should carefully review the hire agreement and understand the conditions before proceeding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Arranging a Rental Car After an Accident
The period immediately after an accident is stressful, and many drivers make rushed decisions because they simply want transport sorted quickly.
Some of the most common mistakes include:
Assuming You Have No Rights if you don’t have a Hire Car included in your policy
Many people believe they cannot access a replacement vehicle unless they purchased optional rental cover through their insurer. In reality, eligible not-at-fault drivers may still have legal entitlement to a comparable replacement vehicle.
Paying Large Rental Costs Upfront Without Understanding Recovery Risks
Privately hiring a vehicle may leave you personally funding thousands of dollars in rental costs while waiting for reimbursement from insurers.
Failing to Collect Enough Evidence at the Accident Scene
Missing driver details, photos, or witness information can complicate liability disputes later.
Accepting an Unsuitable Replacement Vehicle
Some drivers accept a very small or unsuitable replacement vehicle that does not properly meet their family, work, or commercial needs.
Delaying Action After the Accident
Waiting too long to organise repairs, report the accident, or arrange replacement transport can create unnecessary delays.
