If you’re in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, Australian law says you should be put back in a similar position as before the accident. This means that the at-fault driver, or more commonly their insurer, must cover certain costs such as hire costs of an equivalent temporary car while yours is off the road.
This temporary car is called an accident replacement car, and in most cases, you’re entitled to one if you weren’t at fault in an accident involving two or more vehicles. You can use it until your car is repaired or deemed a total loss, provided you do not delay the repair or total loss process.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Find answers to our most commonly asked questions
General Information
Applying for a replacement car is easy! Simply complete our online application or call our team on 1300 889 256 to get started. You’ll need to provide information about the accident, including the at-fault driver’s details. Once approved, we’ll deliver a replacement car to your location.
We’ll provide you with a replacement car until your car has been repaired or you’re advised that it’s been deemed a total loss, provided you do not delay the repair or total loss process.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for a Carbiz replacement car if:
- You were not at fault in the accident
- Two or more vehicles were involved in the accident
- The at-fault driver was insured at the time of the accident
- You have a need for a replacement car and you do not have access to other suitable cars
Unfortunately, you may be ineligible for a Carbiz replacement car if:
- You were at fault in the accident
- The at-fault driver was uninsured at the time of the accident
- The at-fault driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- The accident happened due to a medical episode
- Another vehicle was not involved
- The vehicle is being used for commercial purposes (i.e., Uber)
- You only hold a learner driver licence
- You are in breach of our Rental Agreement
Although we can’t provide you with a replacement car, we’re happy to recommend reliable repairers to help get your car fixed.
We pride ourselves on helping as many Australian drivers as possible. To find out if we can
service your location, please give us a call on 1300 889 256.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist rideshare drivers, as our insurer does not cover vehicles
used for ridesharing purposes.
Yes! If you’re a not-at-fault driver, are entitled to drive on Australian roads and meet our other eligibility criteria, Carbiz can help. Simply complete our online application or call our team on 1300 889 256 to get started.
To be eligible for a replacement car, you must have at least a provisional driver licence (Ps). Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with a replacement car if you’re on your Ls.
Yes! If you’re a not-at-fault driver and meet our other eligibility criteria, Carbiz can help. Simply complete our online application or call our team on 1300 889 256 to get started.
Vehicle Information
We have over 1,500 vehicles in a range of sizes to suit your needs, including EVs, hybrids, utes and vans with accessories, like towbars. To find out if we have a vehicle that’s suitable for you, please give us a call on 1300 889 256.
While you do have some choice in the replacement car, it needs to be similar to the one involved in the accident. For example, we can’t provide a ute if your car was a hatchback.
This is because Australian law requires that you be put in a similar position as before the accident. If we gave you a car that wasn't similar to the one involved, we’d be putting you in a different position, making it difficult for us to recover the hire costs of the replacement vehicle.
Please keep in mind that in any case, we are unable to recover the costs of operating the car, such as fuel or electric charging costs, and any tolls or fines that might come up during your hire period. You’ll be responsible for payment of those expenses.
In most cases, as long as you report any damage to us within 24 hours, the excess is $0. However, this may not apply if you:
- Have an overseas driver licence
- Are involved in two or more collisions with the replacement car
- Allow an unauthorised driver to use the car
- Cause malicious damage
- Drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If your replacement car breaks down or has an issue, our 24/7 roadside assistance is available on 1300 302 500.
Payments & Charges
As long as you’re not at fault in the accident, provide necessary true and correct information and assistance to us in our recovery process and are otherwise eligible, Carbiz will recover the replacement car costs on your behalf from the at-fault driver or their insurer. Please keep in mind that this excludes the costs of operating the replacement car, such as fuel or electric charging costs, and any tolls or fines that might come up during your hire period.
Yes, you’ll need to pay for tolls during the hire period. We recommend using your e-tag, as any toll invoices will be redirected to you and you will be charged additional administrative fees if your personal e-tag is not detected when using a tolls road.
Yes, you’ll need to pay for fuel or electric charging costs during the hire period. We ask that the car is returned with the same amount of fuel or electric charge as when we first gave it to you.
If you receive a fine while using the replacement car, it will be issued in your name and forwarded to you for payment.
