How Not at Fault Car Hire Works
1
We approve your application
2
We deliver the replacement vehicle
3
We monitor your vehicle repairs
4
We invoice the insurer directly
We have been in business since 1990 and have unrivalled experience, knowledge and expertise in the accident replacement vehicle industry.
If you’ve been involved in a not-at-fault accident, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle while your car is being repaired. Acorn Rentals makes the process simple by arranging an accident replacement vehicle delivered directly to you, while we handle the insurance recovery process with the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Below are the simple steps to keep you mobile after an accident, including how to get a hire car after a not-at-fault accident.
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Start by submitting an application for your not-at-fault accident car hire. You can apply online using our application form or contact our highly trained and dedicated reservations team on 1300 22 67 67, or 0800 022 676 in New Zealand. Once we receive your application, we will assess your accident details and get back to you as soon as possible to confirm your eligibility for an accident replacement vehicle.
Step 2: Approving your claim
Once we have all the information we need, we will verify the accident details and confirm that you were not responsible for the collision. Your car hire after an accident claim can usually be approved within 15 minutes during business hours. In some cases, approval may take longer if there is doubt over liability in the incident.
Step 3: Replacement Vehicle Delivered
Once your claim is approved, Acorn will contact you to organise delivery of your accident replacement vehicle at a date and time that is convenient for you. In most cases, we will meet you at your smash repair shop when you drop off your vehicle for repairs, or leave the hire vehicle there for you to collect.
If your vehicle is already at the smash repair shop or is not legally drivable, we can arrange delivery to your home, workplace or another suitable location. This helps keep you mobile while your vehicle is being repaired.
Delivery is subject to availability in your area. In areas where delivery is not available, we provide vehicles through our third-party supplier and can arrange for you to pick up the vehicle at a time and location that suits you best.
Step 4: Accident Replacement Vehicle Handover
When your accident replacement vehicle is delivered or collected, we will ask you to sign a rental agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the hire. We will also ask you to sign our Contract of Indemnity and standard letter confirming the reasons you need the replacement vehicle.
This documentation confirms the rental conditions, the expected duration of the replacement vehicle hire, and the accident details relating to your claim. If we are providing the vehicle through one of our depots, the documentation is completed before you pick up the vehicle.
For convenience, documents can also be signed online using our secure electronic signature process.
Step 5: Monitoring Your Repairs
While you are using your replacement car after an accident, we regularly stay in contact with your smash repairer to monitor the progress of your vehicle repairs and update you as required. This helps ensure the accident replacement vehicle process runs smoothly until your car is ready for collection.
If your vehicle is a total loss, you will need to keep us updated on the progress of your settlement. The details surrounding how long you are able to keep the replacement vehicle are outlined in our rental agreement terms and conditions.
Step 6: Collection of Your Repaired Vehicle
Subject to our delivery/ collection service being available in your area, when your repair is finished, you just drop off Acorn’s vehicle at the smash repair shop and pick up your vehicle. You will need to call Acorn to notify us when you have done this. Acorn will then collect our vehicle. If your vehicle has been deemed a total loss, we will collect our vehicle directly from you once your settlement has been made or the vehicle needs to be returned.
If our delivery/ collection service is unavailable in your area you will need to return the vehicle to the branch yourself before picking up your own car.
Step 7: Payment for the hire charges
Once the rental is complete Acorn will be paid for the charges by the relevant insurance company. Please refer to our FAQ’s for more info.
Acorn Rentals will require a copy of the adjusted smash repair quote and will usually obtain this directly from the smash repair shop itself, however you may need to supply this upon request by Acorn.
Who Can Get a Hire Car After an Accident?
You may qualify for not at fault accident car hire if:
- Another driver caused the accident
- Your vehicle requires repairs
- The at-fault driver’s details are available
- Your car is not safe to drive
Frequently Asked Questions About Accident Replacement Car Hire
You can keep the replacement vehicle after an accident while your car is being repaired.
In most cases, no upfront payment is required because the car rental insurance recovery process allows the cost to be billed to the at-fault insurer.
Depending on your location and approval status, we can often arrange delivery quickly.
*The suitability of any and all applications is at the sole discretion of Acorn Rentals. Acorn Rentals reserve the right, without explanation to reject any applications that we deem unsuitable.