Not My Fault Accidents - Hire Car at No Cost to Yourself

Have you ever considered what you would do without a car for an extended period of time? It’s something to think about - your car is your lifeline to getting around, grocery runs and school pickups, the most efficient way to get to and from work - would you manage if you were suddenly left without your car? Have you ever thought about the process of securing a hire car in Sydney?
Not my fault car accidents would do just this! With so many cars on the road, it’s no wonder there are so many more accidents. And you may be involved in a bumper basher that you had no hand in causing!
In Australia, we are fortunate enough to have cover for this type of occurrence - if you have been involved in a car accident where you have been determined to be not at fault, then you may be entitled to a hire car. How? you may ask.
It’s really simple - in any car accident, the at fault driver will be found liable for the costs incurred by the other (not at fault) drivers. These costs can include a variety of things, one of them being a hire car.
The process to get an accident replacement car after an accident is actually a very simple process. All we need are the accident details, the at-fault driver’s details and any supporting documentation. Our experienced, friendly team will assess your claim as quickly as possible - usually on the spot.

How do you know if you are eligible?

If you’ve been in an accident and it wasn’t your fault, then you may have a claim. There must be at least two cars involved and you must have the details of the at-fault party. Then you may be eligible for a rental replacement car with the costs covered by the other party.
If you qualify for a car with Carbiz, you will not be liable for the rental costs provided you assist us in the recovery of costs from the at-fault party and act in accordance with our terms and conditions.
Don’t let an accident stop you from carrying on with your daily life - especially not my fault car accidents! Contact the team today to find out how we can help you. Currently Carbiz services the greater Sydney area.

1300 889 256

To plan replacement transport, explore Carbiz accident replacement vehicles and read our replacement car frequently asked questions.

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What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

26 March 2020