Smooth car rentals made easy when your insurer leaves the choice to you.
Hiring a car after an accident with Redspot is hassle-free and seamless. When your confidence is hit, choose an Australian, family-run car rental company to get you back on the road quickly, while the insurance company assesses your claim. With 24/7 roadside assistance, reliable vehicles rated 5-stars by ANCAP and damage and liability packages, you can park your worries and steer into action.
Our accident replacement vehicles are ideal for:
- Drivers who prefer not to use their insurer’s recommended car rental company.
- Drivers approved to arrange their own car hire and claim reimbursement from the insurer.
What is an Accident Replacement Vehicle?
An accident replacement vehicle may be provided by an insurer on a temporary basis after your vehicle has been damaged in a collision or other incident. Most insurers have partner contracts with car rental companies to provide you with a hire car while you are waiting for your repaired vehicle or claim settlement if the car is written off.
Some car insurance providers will allow you to choose your own rental car after an accident and claim the reimbursement. This gives you more freedom to choose a reliable and affordable car hire that works for you.
Comforting Customer Service After a Bump in the Road
We have over 35 years of experience in understanding car rental customers. Our local, friendly team makes the accident replacement car pick-up process quick and easy.
How to Hire with Redspot After a Melbourne Not-at-Fault Accident
1. Check insurance coverage
First, check your hire car insurance cover and the limits, including hire period and vehicle type. You may be able to claim a hire car under your own insurance or from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
2. File your claim
Let your or the other driver’s insurer know you will be claiming for an accident replacement vehicle. Confirm you can choose Redspot as the hire car company.
3. Book your car hire
Choose the vehicle type and hire period you’re covered for, add your damage and liability cover and any extras needed. Pay for the car hire with a credit card and keep the receipt.
4. Claim your reimbursement
We provide you with a detailed invoice and car rental agreement to make your reimbursement process smooth. Upload these documents to your open claim and wait for settlement from the insurer.
Driver Facts to Steer You Right After an Accident
Credit Card Condition
All rental cars after an accident will require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Bring your paperwork to pick up
If you are a first-time renter, all we need is one (1) document with your address on it. Returning customers, all you need to bring for collection is your valid driver’s licence and credit card. If it’s your first time renting locally, you’ll also need to bring a third form of identification, like a current utility bill. We will take care of the rest!
Maximum age is no barrier
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age for our not at fault car hire.
Fuel Flexibility
Pre-pay, post-pay, or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for a not-at-fault hired car. Always check if fuel will be covered by your insurance claim.
Look after your paperwork
We provide you with a detailed invoice and hire car agreement. Keep this safe and send it to your insurer for a claim reimbursement.
Rev-Up for Young Drivers
We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21! Mine spec and commercial vehicles included.
Note that drivers under 25 will pay a daily surcharge on their car rental fee – make sure your insurer will cover this. Car hire is limited to small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks (does not apply to mine spec and commercial vehicle hire).
Local P-Platers and Full Licences
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Share the ride with additional drivers
We can easily add additional drivers to your car rental booking. The driver will need to show their full, valid driver’s licence in any branch and provide a credit card for a daily surcharge. Note, this may not be covered by your insurance reimbursement, so it is best to check with the insurer before adding an additional driver.
Toll Road Tricks
Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver whilst you have a not at fault hired car. Always check if this extra will be covered by your insurance claim.
Find a Replacement Car Spot All Over Australia
As Australia’s largest family-owned and operated car rental company, we believe everyone should be able to experience the freedom of the open road, especially drivers involved in a not-at-fault accident.
Over the last 35 years, we have expanded from just a single branch in Sydney to over 40 airport and CBD locations. With convenient opening hours and many branches offering out-of-hours pick-up and drop-off, you’re never too far away from picking up a stress-free accident replacement vehicle.
Accident Replacement Car Sydney
With 5 branches across Sydney and reliable rental cars, from compact to electric, you can easily steer into confidence on the busy Sydney roads.
Rental Car After an Accident in Melbourne
A car accident shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the vibrant Melbourne lifestyle. With a replacement vehicle from one of our 3 Melbourne branches, you can be back in the driver’s seat.
Not at Fault Car Rental Brisbane
Don’t be stranded in Queensland without a car. Pick up an accident replacement vehicle from one of our 4 branches in Brisbane and hit the road with confidence.
Choose a Reliable Hire Car for Confidence Back on the Road
Whether you need to choose a “like-for-like vehicle” similar to your own car or you’re free to choose any hire car, we have a full range of modern rental cars for any situation. With 5-star ANCAP safety ratings and 24/7 roadside assistance included, our rental cars are well-maintained, so your safety is a priority.
Simply choose the rental vehicle within your insurer’s coverage and we’ll have it checked, cleaned and ready to roll.
Small Car Hire
Redspot’s Small Car Hire range offers compact, fuel-efficient cars perfect for city trips and budget-conscious travellers.
Sedan Car Hire
Explore Redspot’s Sedan Car Hire range — comfortable, stylish sedans for every trip and every budget.
SUV Hire
Need extra space and comfort for your next trip? Choose from our SUV fleet and enjoy a smooth ride with a great deal to match.
Hybrid Vehicle Hire
Looking for a greener ride? Redspot has you covered! Choose from our hybrid vehicle fleet and enjoy eco-friendly driving with unbeatable deals.
4WD Hire
Looking for a powerful, spacious and reliable ride? Redspot has you covered! Choose from our 4WD fleet for a strong performance and great deal, perfect for any journey.
Minivan and Bus Hire
Need to transport a group in comfort? Choose from our minivans and 12-seat buses, and drive away with a great deal today.
Van Hire
Searching for a van to rent? Redspot has got you covered. Our Aussie-run business has locations across the country. Get on the road today with Redspot!
Ute Hire
Hire a reliable ute for all your transport needs. From our quality fleet to friendly Aussie expertise, Redpost will get you from Point A to B in no time!
Mine Spec Vehicle Hire
Need rugged, reliable vehicles for your mining operations? Choose from our tough, mine-specific fleet to keep your work moving smoothly from start to finish.
Add a Cover Package for Peace of Mind
For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services.
We recommend the executive package to reduce your rental car excess in the unfortunate event of a car accident. Check with the insurer if a more comprehensive damage and liability package is covered under your rental car claim.
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select.
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Super Package
More cover, less cost. Redspot’s Super Package gives you reduced damage liability and extra perks—perfect if you want more peace of mind without going all-out. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $1,950 to $2,750 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
How to Check If You’re Covered for a Car Hire?
After an accident, you may be covered for rental car costs under your own insurance or the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Redspot does not have any partner deals with insurance companies. Therefore, it is completely in your control to check your hire car insurance coverage and to claim your reimbursement. Here’s a helpful checklist to ensure the process is smooth:
- Check your insurance policy: Not all insurers provide hire car coverage. Check your policy for terms like “rental car cover” or “accident replacement vehicle”.
- Check with the at-fault driver’s insurer: It may be the case that the at-fault party covers the rental car. Call the insurer to clarify what your claim can cover.
- Be clear on the limits and restrictions: Check if there’s a rental cost or a hire period limit so you’re not surprised when you claim your reimbursement. Some will have restrictions on the car class or have a “like-for-like vehicle” term (in short, you may not be able to claim for a premium 4WD hybrid SUV after a car accident in a 3-door compact car).
- Note down all the documents you need: For a reimbursement, you may need to provide the proof of accident, invoices and car hire agreement.
- Cover yourself: If the insurer does not cover your hire car excess, consider opting for a damage and liability package to reduce your excess.
- Map out the claims timeline: Make sure you know how long it will take for the insurer to reimburse you for the hire car cost, and what happens if they refuse your reimbursement claim.
Please note, Redspot is not a car insurance company, and this checklist is provided as a helpful guide only.
Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident?
Who pays for your hire car after a car accident will depend on your insurance coverage and who is at fault.
- Not at fault: The at-fault driver’s insurer should cover your hire car costs, usually for the period your car is in for repairs or is being assessed.
- Your own policy: If you have hire car or rental reimbursement cover (either included or as an added extra), your insurer will pay according to the policy limits. Some terms state you are only covered if not at fault, so always check the terms.
- At fault with no cover: You will need to pay for the hire car.
- Delays or disputes: Be prepared for any delays or disputes in the car rental claim, which would delay your reimbursement from an insurer.
With Redspot, you are responsible for paying for the hire car upfront and claiming the reimbursement costs from the insurer.
You Can Rely on Redspot for your Accident Replacement Vehicle Rental
With over 35 years of experience as a family car rental company, our personalised customer service can help you get back on the road after a car accident. Our team provides you with detailed documents so you can easily upload them to your reimbursement claim, without delays or detours.
Our 24/7 roadside assistance will bring you peace of mind as you build up your confidence in a rental car. With over 40 locations across Australia and many offering out-of-hours pick-up and drop-off, you can easily get back into the driver’s seat of your schedule.
Take control of your temporary hire car and choose the rental car company for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the insurer’s rental car company, or can I choose my own?
Each insurer will have its own terms to follow. Some will have a partnership with a rental car company and require you to use their recommendation, whereas some will allow you to choose and arrange your own.
Redspot does not have any partnerships with car insurance companies. Our customers are the drivers.
Does Redspot claim reimbursement from the insurance company?
No, you will be responsible for paying for the full car rental cost and then claiming a reimbursement from the insurer.
How long will insurance pay for a rental car after an accident?
Usually, an insurer will pay for a hire car until your damaged car is repaired or the total loss settlement amount is agreed. However, each policy can vary, so you should check the restrictions and limits in the policy wording.
Does the insurance company organise a hire car after an accident?
In some cases, the insurer will organise a hire car for you after an accident. Some insurers may give you the freedom to organise the hire car yourself.
What paperwork does Redspot provide for my insurance claim?
Redspot provides the following detailed documents for your hire car reimbursement claim:
- The rental car agreement.
- An itemised invoice, including details of the vehicle type, hire period and any added extras, to make claim assessment easy.
What extras should I include in my accident replacement vehicle hire?
You should always check the limits you are allowed to claim to ensure you are reimbursed for the full cost. We would recommend:
- An all-inclusive excess package to reduce the amount you would have to pay on the hire car in the unfortunate case of another car accident.
- A reliable baby or child seat if it was your family car in the accident.
Does the insurance company organise the hire car after an accident?
In specific cases, the insurer will organise a hire car for you after an accident where you are not at fault. Depending on the insurer, you may also be allowed to organise the hire car yourself.
What extras should I include in my accident replacement vehicle hire?
You should always check the limits you are allowed to claim to ensure you are reimbursed for the full cost. We would recommend:
- An all-inclusive excess package to reduce the amount you would have to pay for the hire car in the unfortunate case of another car accident.
- A reliable baby or child seat if it was your family car in the accident.