Not At Fault: Your Rights in NSW
You have been hit. The other driver has admitted it, or the damage makes it obvious. Now you are standing on the side of Military Road at Mosman with a bent rear quarter and a question that thousands of Sydney drivers ask every week: what am I actually entitled to while my car is repaired? The short answer is that you are entitled to be put back in the position you were in before the crash. Not a lesser position. Not a bus ticket. The position you were in, which for most readers here means a prestige or performance car and the use of it.
This hub is the plain-English authority on not at fault accidents in New South Wales. It covers what not at fault means, how fault is proved when the other driver will not cooperate, what the at-fault driver's insurer is obliged to do, and the legal principle that decides what you can hire. That principle comes from the High Court in Arsalan v Rixon, and it is the reason a Range Rover driver whose Range Rover is in the panel shop is not expected to squeeze into a Corolla.
We also cover the things that trip people up. Loss of use, which is the legal name for the value of the car you could not drive. Reasonable hire, which is the test an insurer will apply to your replacement. And the question everyone asks first: what do I have to pay? If you were not at fault, the answer is nothing for the hire itself. The rate, the bond and any fee are shown on the car's page before payment, and the bond equals the excess you choose. Paying by card carries a small surcharge; bank transfer and cash on the rental do not. Cars can be booked from a single day.
If your car is a Range Rover Sport, a Porsche Macan GTS, a BMW M3 Competition or a Tesla Model Y, the replacement should match it. That is the whole point of this site. Bookings are fulfilled by Drive Tribe (drivetribe.com.au), the trading name of Australian Business Holdings Pty Ltd, and this site is part of that group.
Not at fault? Start your claim
A like-for-like replacement car while yours is repaired. No cost to you when the other driver is at fault. Replacement hires are fulfilled by Drive Tribe.
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Not at Fault on the Great Western Highway: Your Rights and Replacement Car Options
Hit on the Great Western Highway and not at fault? Learn your rights in NSW, how to get a replacement car delivered to the Mountains, and who pays for the tow.
Not at fault in a Sydney tunnel car park
Hit in a Sydney tunnel car park? No signal, no witnesses. Here is how to collect evidence, get CCTV, report a hit and run and arrange a replacement car.
Your rights to a replacement car while yours is repaired
How long you keep a replacement car while yours is repaired in NSW: quick repairs, parts delays, total loss, and who pays when the repair runs long.
What the at-fault driver's insurer must do in NSW
What the at-fault driver's insurer must pay a not at fault driver in NSW: repairs, loss of use, and where obligation ends and goodwill begins.
Replacement car after a crash with a baby seat
What happens to child restraints after a not at fault crash in Sydney, who pays for new ones, and how to get a seven-seat replacement that fits the family.
Hit by an Uninsured Driver in NSW: Your Options
Hit by an uninsured driver in NSW? Your rights survive. Learn how to get a like-for-like replacement car, who pays, and the fastest route to a fix.
Replacement car rules for P-platers in NSW
A P-plater hit by another driver can still get a like-for-like replacement car in NSW. Here is how licence class, age rules and bonds interact.
Hit while driving for a living: a Sydney driver guide to not at fault crashes
Hit while driving for a living in Sydney? Here is what a not at fault rideshare or delivery driver needs to record, claim and drive while the car is repaired.
Not at fault on the North Shore: Chatswood to Hornsby
Hit on the Pacific Highway or Pennant Hills Road? Here is how not-at-fault replacement cars work on the North Shore, from Chatswood to Hornsby.
Not at Fault on the Hume Highway: A Sydney Driver's Guide
Hit on the Hume Highway near Sydney? Learn who to call, how towing and repairs work, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car while yours is fixed.
Hit by a Caravan or Trailer: Sydney Driver's Rights
Hit by a caravan or trailer in NSW? Learn who is liable, how to claim a like-for-like replacement car, and what to do in the first 24 hours.
Replacement car when your car is on a novated lease
Hit while on a novated lease? Here is who owns the car, what happens to payments, and how a not at fault replacement car works in NSW.
Not at fault in the school holidays: a Sydney family guide
Hit by another driver in the Sydney school holidays? Here is how a not at fault replacement car works in NSW, and how to match seven seats and family gear.
Not at fault on the Central Coast: a driver's guide
Not at fault on the Central Coast? Learn what to do at the scene, how a replacement car reaches you, and what the at-fault insurer owes you in NSW.
Not at fault on the Harbour Bridge: what to do
Crashed on the Harbour Bridge? Here is exactly what to do, how to exchange details in traffic, and how to get a prestige replacement car delivered in the CBD.
Not at fault in a school zone: a Sydney guide
Hit in a school zone in NSW and not at fault? Learn what to do, who pays, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car without disrupting the school run.
Not at fault in a Sydney roundabout: who pays?
Hit in a Sydney roundabout? Learn who pays in NSW, what evidence wins, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car while yours is repaired.
Prestige replacement car after a crash on the Northern Beaches
Hit by another driver on the Northern Beaches? You can keep a like-for-like prestige replacement car while yours is repaired, at no cost to you.
Proving the other driver was at fault after a crash
How to prove the other driver was at fault after a crash in Sydney: photos, dashcam, witnesses and building a file insurers accept. NSW evidence guide.
Not at fault in the Inner West: Newtown to Ashfield
If you are not at fault in the Inner West, the at-fault insurer may owe you a like-for-like replacement car. Learn what to do after a crash in Newtown, Ashfield.
Hit by a Truck or Bus in Sydney: Replacement Car Guide
Hit by a truck or bus in Sydney and not at fault? Learn how to claim a like-for-like replacement car from the heavy vehicle's insurer in NSW.
What does not at fault mean in NSW?
Not at fault in NSW means the other driver was legally responsible for the crash. Learn the test, how fault is decided, and what you can claim.
Not at Fault in a Car Wash Queue: Sydney Driver Guide
Hit in a car wash queue in Sydney? Learn what to do, how to prove fault, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car while your prestige car is repaired.
Not at Fault in Wedding Season: A Sydney Guide
Hit by another driver in Sydney wedding season? Here is how not at fault replacement cars work, who pays, and how to keep the day on track.
Accident replacement car in the Sutherland Shire
Hit by another driver in the Shire? You can get a like-for-like accident replacement car delivered to Cronulla, Miranda or Engadine at no cost to you.
When the other driver denies fault: your options
If the other driver denies fault in NSW, here is the evidence that settles liability, how long the standoff lasts and whether you can still get a replacement car.
Replacement car for a company director's car
When the company owns the car and a director drives it, the not at fault claim has two identities. Here is how to get the paperwork and the hire right in NSW.
Not at fault on George Street: a CBD crash guide
Hit on George Street? Here is how fault, light rail crashes, towing and a like-for-like replacement car work in the Sydney CBD.
Hit by a Taxi or Rideshare in Sydney: Your Rights
Hit by a taxi or rideshare in Sydney? Learn your rights to a like-for-like replacement car when not at fault, and how to deal with the at-fault insurer.
Not at fault on the M8: what to do after a crash
Crashed on the M8 and not at fault? Steps to take, who pays, and how to get a prestige replacement car delivered across Sydney's Inner West and south-west.
Not at Fault in a Drive-Through: Sydney Driver Guide
Hit in a Sydney drive-through queue? Here is how to prove fault, claim a like-for-like replacement car and deal with insurers when the prang happens at walking pace.
Not at fault in the Hills District: Castle Hill to Kellyville
Hit by another driver in the Hills District? Here is how a not-at-fault replacement car reaches Castle Hill, Kellyville, Baulkham Hills and Rouse Hill.
How to prove you were not at fault in a car accident
How to prove you were not at fault in a NSW car accident: what to photograph, who to ask, dashcam and police evidence, and how to make the insurer accept liability.
Arsalan v Rixon: what the High Court decided
What the High Court decided in Arsalan v Rixon, what reasonable hire means for not at fault drivers in NSW, and how it shapes your claim this week.
Not at Fault at School Pickup: What Sydney Parents Need to Know
Hit at school pickup and not at fault in NSW? Learn fault, witnesses, insurer tactics and how to get a like-for-like seven-seat replacement car fast.
The reasonable hire test for replacement cars in NSW
Reasonable hire car NSW explained: how insurers judge like for like replacement vehicle reasonableness, duration, rate and your duty to mitigate.
Not at fault at a service station: what to do
Hit on a service station forecourt in NSW and not at fault? Here is what to do, who pays, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car while yours is repaired.
Hit by a P-Plater in Sydney: Your Replacement Options
Hit by a P-plater in Sydney and not at fault? Learn who pays, what to collect, how credit hire works and how to get a like-for-like replacement car.
Not at fault on a Snowy Mountains ski trip
Not at fault in a Snowy Mountains crash? Learn how to claim a like-for-like replacement car, handle country towing and get your prestige SUV home to Sydney.
Not at fault in a Sydney winter rain crash
Not at fault in a Sydney wet weather crash? Learn how fault is disputed in rain, how to prove it, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car in NSW.
Not at fault in a Sydney winter downpour: what to do
Hit by another driver in Sydney winter rain? Here is what to do, how fault is decided, and how to get a like-for-like prestige replacement car while yours is.
Not at fault on a Snowy Mountains ski trip: your rights and your replacement car
Hit on the way to the snow and not at fault? You can get a like-for-like replacement car delivered to Jindabyne or Thredbo. Here is how it works in NSW.
Not at fault on the M5: replacement car options for south-west Sydney
Crashed on the M5 and not at fault? Here is what to do on the M5 corridor and how a like-for-like replacement car reaches south-west Sydney.
What you never pay after a not at fault accident
After a not at fault accident in NSW, the hire itself is covered when the claim succeeds. See what you never pay, what is always yours, and how the bond works.
Not at fault accident replacement car in Parramatta
Hit in Parramatta? You can get a like-for-like prestige replacement car at no cost when the other driver is at fault. Here is the exact local process.
Does insurance cover a rental car after a crash?
After a not at fault crash in NSW your own comprehensive policy rarely pays for a hire car. The at fault driver's insurer covers your loss of use. Here is how it.
Not at Fault in Penrith and the Blue Mountains
Hit by another driver in Penrith or the Blue Mountains? Learn crash hotspots, towing, repairs and how to get a like-for-like replacement car fast.
What not at fault means in NSW and how it is decided
Not at fault car accident NSW: who decides fault, how insurers assess liability, shared fault, evidence that wins a dispute, and what to do while liability is open.
Not at fault on the M7: what happens next
Not at fault on the M7? Here is what to do, how a replacement car reaches Blacktown or Penrith, and what you never pay while your car is repaired.
Not at fault on the M1: Central Coast to Sydney
Hit on the M1? Plain-English guide to not-at-fault replacement cars on the Central Coast and North Shore, delivered after a Pacific Motorway crash.
Loss of use explained for not at fault drivers in NSW
Loss of use and loss of amenity explained for NSW drivers after a not at fault accident, including how the High Court in Arsalan v Rixon approached it.
Not at fault in a Sydney motorway tunnel
Hit in the M4 East, M8 or another Sydney tunnel? Here is what to do immediately, how to get a like-for-like replacement car, and who pays.
Not at Fault on a Sydney Race Day: Getting Home
Hit by another driver at Randwick or Rosehill? Here is how to get home, prove fault and arrange a like-for-like replacement car in Sydney.
Not at fault on the M4: a Sydney driver's guide
Hit on the M4? Here is exactly what to do, who pays, and how to get a prestige replacement car the same day. Plain English guide for Sydney drivers.
Not at fault in Canberra: a prestige replacement car
Hit in Canberra or on the Hume? A prestige replacement car can be delivered to Canberra, Queanbeyan or Goulburn while your car is repaired at no fault of your own.
Credit hire versus paying for a replacement yourself
Credit hire vs paying for a replacement car yourself: who carries the risk, what you sign, and which route suits Sydney prestige drivers after a not-at-fault crash.
Not at Fault at Vivid: A Sydney CBD Crash Guide
Hit during Vivid? A plain-English guide to crashes in the Sydney CBD crowd: fault, camera evidence, towing out of The Rocks and getting a replacement car.
Not At Fault Replacement Car Checklist NSW
The complete not at fault replacement car checklist NSW: what to capture at the scene, documents to keep, and how to get a like-for-like car delivered.
Your parents' car was hit: a Sydney family guide
If your parents' car was hit, here is how to handle the claim, get a replacement car they can drive, and take the load off without taking over.
Five mistakes not at fault drivers make on Sydney toll roads
Five mistakes not at fault drivers make on Sydney toll roads, from stopping in a live lane to leaving before the incident response crew arrives, and how to.
Not at fault in Liverpool and South West Sydney
Not at fault accident in Liverpool or South West Sydney? Here is how replacement cars, towing from the M5, repairs and insurer claims actually work in NSW.
Not at fault in a Sydney car park exit: who pays?
Who pays when you are not at fault in a Sydney car park exit? Learn NSW right of way, camera evidence, insurer fault decisions and replacement car steps.
Replacement Car After a Crash With No Witnesses
No witnesses at a crash does not end your claim. See how NSW liability is decided, what evidence carries it, and how a like-for-like replacement car is arranged.
Not at fault on the Spit Road or Roseville Bridge
Hit on the Spit Road or Roseville Bridge? Here is how not at fault replacement cars, towing and insurer claims work in NSW, and how to get moving again.
Not at fault at Sydney Airport: replacement car options
Hit at Sydney Airport and not at fault? Get a like-for-like prestige replacement car delivered to T1, T2, T3 or Mascot. We explain the rules, the insurer's.
Do you need to claim on your own insurance when not at fault?
Not at fault in NSW? You don't have to claim on your own insurance. Compare notifying your insurer vs claiming on the third party, and how it affects your no.
Not At Fault on a Sydney Toll Road: Using Toll Evidence
How to use toll gantry photos, tag data and timestamps to prove you were not at fault after a crash on a Sydney toll road, and how to request the evidence.
Crash on the Spit Road or Roseville Bridge: what next
Hit on Spit Road, Roseville Bridge or Military Road? Here is what to do next, how to get a like-for-like prestige replacement car delivered to the Northern.
Hit and run in Sydney: what to do next
Hit and run in Sydney? Learn the exact steps to protect your claim, report to police, and secure a like-for-like replacement car while your prestige vehicle is.
Hit on George Street: getting a replacement car in the CBD
Hit on George Street or Pitt Street? Here is how a not-at-fault replacement car works in the Sydney CBD, from tow to same-day delivery of a prestige hire car.
Replacement car after a crash on a Sydney holiday
Hit by someone else on a Sydney holiday? You can keep driving a like-for-like replacement car at no cost to you. Here is how not-at-fault hire works.
Not at Fault on Anzac Day: Your Sydney Driver Guide
Crashed on Anzac Day in Sydney? Learn how to handle the dawn service rush, road closures, towing, and arranging a replacement car on a public holiday.
Replacement car without calling your own insurer
You can often get a replacement car without calling your own insurer. Learn when to notify, when to claim, and how it affects your premium.
When the Insurer Disputes Your Car's Value After a Crash
If your prestige car is a total loss, the insurer's market value offer is often too low. Learn how to build a credible valuation case in NSW and keep a hire car.
Not at fault in the Sydney CBD: getting a replacement car
Hit in the Sydney CBD and not at fault? Here is how a like-for-like prestige replacement car is arranged, delivered and billed to the at-fault insurer.
Not at Fault at a Service Centre: Sydney Driver Guide
Who pays when your car is hit at a dealership or mechanic in Sydney? Learn liability, like-for-like rights and credit hire under NSW law.
Replacement car after a crash with a company vehicle
A crash in a company vehicle raises questions of liability, downtime and replacement. Here is how not-at-fault replacement works in NSW for fleets and drivers.
Not at fault in a shopping centre car park
Hit in a shopping centre car park in NSW and not at fault? Learn who pays, how to get CCTV, and how to get a like-for-like replacement car.
Not at fault on the M2: a driver's checklist
Crashed on the M2? Here is your plain-English checklist: what to do in the tunnel, exchanging details, reporting, and getting a like-for-like replacement car.
Replacement car after an accident on the school run
Hit on the school run in NSW and not at fault? Here is how a like-for-like replacement car works, what the at-fault insurer covers, and how to get moving.
Not at fault in a Sydney car park: who pays?
Car park prangs are Sydney's most disputed low-speed crashes. Here's how liability is worked out and how to get a like-for-like replacement car while yours is.
Hit by a hire scooter or e-bike in Sydney: your rights
Hit by an e-bike or hire scooter in Sydney? Learn who is liable, how to prove fault without a number plate, and whether you can still get a replacement car.
Replacement Car After a Crash With No Witnesses
No witnesses car accident Sydney replacement car: how to prove fault without witnesses in NSW using dashcam, CCTV, damage patterns and timing.
Not at fault on the Northern Beaches: what to do
Not at fault on the Northern Beaches? Learn what to do after a crash from Manly to Palm Beach, how to get a like-for-like replacement car delivered.
Not at fault in the Eastern Suburbs: Bondi to Vaucluse
Hit in Bondi, Double Bay or Vaucluse and not at fault? Here is how a like-for-like replacement car works in the Eastern Suburbs, from scene to delivery.
Not at Fault at Easter: A Sydney Driver's Guide
Hit by another driver in Sydney this Easter? What you can arrange on Good Friday, what waits until Tuesday, and how a like-for-like replacement car works.
Not at fault on a long weekend: a Sydney guide
Hit by another driver on a long weekend in NSW? Here is what to do, how to report it and how to get a like-for-like replacement car the same day.
Not at fault on the Anzac Bridge: your next steps
Crashed on the Anzac Bridge not at fault? Here are your next steps, from exchanging details safely to getting a like-for-like replacement car in the Inner West.