We have talked at length about the courtesy vehicles we offer at Acorn Rentals and the simple process you can go through to drive away in a like-for-like courtesy vehicle today (for free if the accident you were involved in was not your fault)

In this article we will talk about you driving a courtesy car, and more particularly how long you will be allowed to drive it, whether it will be insured, whether there are any restrictions to you driving a courtesy car, and whether any one else is allowed to drive a courtesy car you rent from us.

Dealing firstly with how long you can keep your courtesy car, our policy is that if your car is repairable, you can keep it for as long as it takes for the repairs to be completed. This might be a day or a month.

If your car isn’t repairable and has been written off and you have lodged an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurer you can generally keep the courtesy car until the insurance claim is settled. If you are claiming insurance from your own insurer, you can continue driving the courtesy car until the insurance claim is settled or for 10 working days, whichever comes first.

When you take possession of your courtesy car it will be fully insured with an excess of $385.00. To learn more, read this article (link to other article) about the Acorn excess waiver promise.

To be eligible to drive one of Acorn’s courtesy cars you must be at least 18 years old and hold a provisional or full driver licence (both Australian and valid overseas licences are accepted, but a learner’s permit is not).

If you are over 18 but under the age of 21, you will only have access to our range of small or medium class courtesy cars and will not be able to drive a courtesy car provided by any of our third party suppliers.

Finally, the real beauty of our courtesy car policy is that anyone can drive the cars we provide. So long as the intended driver meets the age and licence criteria set out above you are entitled to invite any one to drive the courtesy car you’re provided.

Take a tour through the Acorn Rentals blog to learn more about our courtesy car policy and how easily it is for you to drive away in one today.

If you’re involved in a car accident, whether it was your fault or not, and you’re in need of a courtesy vehicle to drive while your own vehicle is being repaired, Acorn should be your first port of call.

Our replacement vehicle service is dedicated to getting you back on the road as quickly as possible and our like-for-like courtesy car guarantee means we will ensure the courtesy car we provide you is one similar to the make and model of your own vehicle and suits your needs.

The process of getting a courtesy car with Acorn is simple and starts with you getting in touch with us either by calling our friendly and dedicated reservations’ team on 1300 22 67 67 or by filling out an online application form.

Once you have made contact with Acorn, one of our friendly representatives will manage your request. If you were not the driver at fault in the accident, you are not required to pay for your courtesy car, and we will liaise with the insurer(s) involved to ensure they and not you pay our costs for providing our courtesy car service.

In this case, we will progress your application for approval. This is normally a simple process that takes only a few minutes, though it may take longer in certain circumstances.

If you were the driver at fault, we would be just as pleased to manage your request for a courtesy vehicle and by choosing Acorn, you have access to our like-for-like guarantee, mentioned above.

Once your application for a courtesy vehicle is approved we will take you through the vehicle transfer process, which will see you take possession of your courtesy car quickly. This process is normally conducted at the premises of your vehicle repairer, but arrangements can be made for this to occur elsewhere if conducting the transfer there doesn’t suit you.

Our selection of courtesy vehicles for your selection includes the following:

1. Toyota Yaris Ascent;
2. Toyota Corolla Hatch Ascent;
3. Toyota Camry Altise;
4. Toyota Camry Hybrid;
5. Toyota Aurion AT-X;
6. Toyota RAV4 GX;
7. Toyota Kluger GX;
8. Toyota HiLux;
9. Toyota HiLux Dual Cab;
10. Toyota HiAce LWB; and,
11. Hyundai iMax 14 Hero.

To get the ball rolling with a courtesy vehicle and take advantage of our like-for-like courtesy car guarantee today, call our friendly customer service team on 1300 22 67.

If you’ve been following the Acorn blog you know that we offer like-for-like courtesy cars in a range of circumstances, but particularly when you are in an accident that isn’t your fault.

But what if you are in an accident while you’re driving one of our courtesy cars?

It’s a reasonable question to ask in a world where things can purely and simply just go wrong, and there have been many instances where our customers have had an accident in one of our courtesy vehicles.

For many, the thought of having an accident in a courtesy car is a gut-wrenching one because most insurance companies are notorious for imposing on their customers an exorbitant excess for the repair of the vehicle.

An excess is the contribution you are required to pay to repair the damage done to the vehicle in an accident. In the context of this article, it’s the amount you must contribute to repair the damage done to a courtesy vehicle you were driving when an accident occurred.

To re-iterate, insurance companies are notorious when it comes to the excess they require their customers to pay. The excess they charge can often be as high as $1,000, or, if you choose to, you can pay an excess waiver fee (sometimes hundreds of dollars) to reduce the amount you might have to pay as an excess.

These mechanisms used by the insurance companies — charging high excesses and offering high excess waiver fees — have given insurance companies a bad name in recent times, and for good reason.

At Acorn, we do things a little differently. For starters, our excess doesn’t start at $1,000 and go up from there. Our default excess is a low $385, which we believe balances the need, on the one hand, for us to recover some money from you in the event of an accident you’re involved in while driving one of our courtesy vehicles and, on the other hand, for you to have the peace of mind in knowing that if you do have an accident in one of our courtesy vehicle you won’t then be hit with an unwarranted excess you cannot afford.

So if you’re in a car accident and, like us, you think it’s important to drive away in a courtesy vehicle without having to contend with the hidden fees, then give our friendly customer service team on 1300 22 67 67 and move on with Acorn.

The phrase “written off” is used to legally define those vehicles that are so badly damaged in a car-accident or otherwise that to repair them is impossible, or simply too expensive. Vehicles are categorised as “written off” in circumstances where, because of that irreparable damage, they are considered too dangerous to keep registered and on the road.

While written off vehicles are not a common result of a car accident, they can happen in serious car accidents and it is important that you are aware of the effects of your vehicle being written off, and that you understand your rights and responsibilities in connection with it occurring.

Firstly, you should be aware that writing off a vehicle will result in the formal process of your vehicle being recorded onto the registers of written off vehicles, which are kept by the states and territories. The recording of this data is instigated normally by the person or entity that assesses the condition of your vehicle.

When a vehicle is written off, and is recorded on the state or territory registries for written off vehicles, it is stripped for parts and scrap metal and is permanently classed as “de-registered” and cannot be re-registered unless its condition meets certain criteria (which generally vary from state to state).

If your vehicle is involved in an accident that causes it to be written off, it is likely there will be a period of time during which you will need to find a permanent replacement vehicle. The length of this period will obviously depend on your financial circumstances and any delays on the part of the insurers and other external entities involved in the process.

To alleviate the stress caused to you during this period, Acorn offers a temporary replacement vehicle service that guarantees like-for-like replacement vehicles.

What this means for you is that after your vehicle is written off and during the replacement process, we will provide you with a ‘like-for-like’ vehicle that matches or suits the make and model of the vehicle you’re used to driving. And if you were not at fault for the accident, we will provide this service for free and claim our costs directly from the other driver’s insurer.

Click here to learn more about our like-for-like replacement vehicle service, or call our friendly customer service team on 1300 22 67 67 and recover from a written off vehicle with Acorn.

Being involved in a car accident is a stressful, often traumatising experience for all parties involved. But despite the injuries that can be caused to the drivers and the passengers involved, they also ordinarily result in physical damage being done to the vehicles themselves.

If you’re in a car accident, whether you caused it or not, there is a chance your vehicle will need to be repaired or replaced, leaving you without a car in the meantime.  The time it takes for the repairs to be done or for the replacement vehicle to be organised depends on the severity of the damage done to your vehicle and/or your own financial circumstances and whether you can afford the repairs or replacement quickly.

This reality makes being involved in a car accident all the more distressing and the period between when the car accident occurs and when your vehicle is returned to you in complete working condition, or is replaced, can seem like a lifetime.

To alleviate the stress caused to you during this period, most insurance companies will attempt to provide you some peace of mind by offering a temporary replacement vehicle to use during the repair or replacement process.

While this temporary replacement vehicle service is good in theory, and offers you some redress from the inconvenience that comes from being in a car accident, most insurance companies who offer the service only make available their standard vehicles without considering the vehicle you were driving and without taking account of the needs you have.

Acorn Rentals offers a temporary replacement vehicle service, but we do things a little differently from the rest. We take the replacement vehicle service to the next level by guaranteeing like-for-like replacement vehicles.

What this means for you is that during the repair or replacement process of your own vehicle, we will provide you with a ‘like-for-like’ vehicle that matches or suits the make and model of the vehicle you’re used to driving and, if needs be, fulfils the function requirement of the vehicle you’re used to driving. For example, if the vehicle you’re used to driving is a utility with a tray, we will provide a utility with a tray. It’s as simple as that.

Our jam-packed fleet list includes the following:

1. Toyota Yaris Ascent;
2. Toyota Corolla Hatch Ascent;
3. Toyota Camry Altise;
4. Toyota Camry Hybrid;
5. Toyota Aurion AT-X;
6. Toyota RAV4 GX;
7. Toyota Kluger GX;
8. Toyota HiLux;
9. Toyota HiLux Dual Cab;
10. Toyota HiAce LWB; and,
11. Hyundai iMax 14 Hero.

So if you’re in a car accident and, like us, you think it’s important to have a temporary replacement vehicle that actually replaces the vehicle you’re used to driving, then give our friendly customer service team on 1300 22 67 67 and move on with Acorn.

For many Australians, their house and their car rank as the top two most valuable assets they own. That’s why having the protection of quality car insurance is so important. But with so many insurance companies offering so many products, how do you know which one is the best fit for you?

Well, let’s start with two of the more popular forms of car insurance: comprehensive car insurance and compulsory third party car insurance. Knowing the differences between these two products will be important when you come to choosing the insurance coverage you purchase for your vehicle.

So, what exactly is compulsory third party car insurance?

Compulsory third party car insurance (CTP) is as the name suggests — compulsory insurance that protects third parties. It’s unique in that it only protects you from third party personal injury liability and does not cover injury to you as the owner or driver of the vehicle or damage to any property.

All Australian States and Territories have legislation in place that makes it a requirement for all registered vehicles to be covered with CTP.

If you are in New South Wales, the ACT or the Northern Territory you are required to organise CTP insurance upon registering your vehicle and you can generally choose from one of five insurance companies who are legally entitled to offer it (Suncorp, Allianz, QBE, Zurich and Insurance Australia Limited).

In Queensland, the same requirement applies but you’re free to choose from any insurer you like. In Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia, CTP applies automatically and the cost is included in either the vehicle registration fee (Victoria and Tasmania) or the licence registration fee (South Australia and Western Australia).

And comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance offers you cover for any accidental loss or damage to your vehicle up to the set value agreed between you and your insurance company or the market value of the vehicle (the cost of replacing your exact vehicle, taking account of its make, model, age and condition).

It might also cover the cost to repair the damage and loss caused to someone else’s vehicle or property, and it covers you (generally up to $20 million) for your legal liability in the case of you causing damage to another person’s property.

The difference between comprehensive car insurance and compulsory third party car insurance?

The key differences between compulsory third party insurance and comprehensive car insurance are these:

1. All registered vehicles must be covered by CTP insurance, whereas comprehensive car insurance is optional;
2. CTP insurance only protects you from the personal injury liability that might arise if you injure anyone involved in an accident you cause;
3. CTP insurance does not protect or allow you to recover costs associated with any property damage you cause; and,
4. Comprehensive car insurance generally protects you for the loss or damage you cause to your vehicle, any other vehicles, and any other property.

Car accidents are never pleasant, but there are things you can do to make the whole ordeal just that little bit more bearable. This quick and easy guide will help you understand exactly what you need to do if and when you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Start by exchanging particulars with the owner of the other vehicle involved in the accident so you know how to get in touch with them. If the person driving the other vehicle isn’t the owner of the vehicle, be sure to clarify this and record the details of both the driver and the registered owner of the vehicle.

Particulars to record include the owner’s full name and address, their contact telephone number and their vehicle registration number. It’s also wise to document the accident by photographing both damaged vehicles to have a contemporaneous record of the damage caused. This is also an opportune time to identify and collect the names, addresses and contact telephone numbers of any people who might have witnessed the accident take place.

While you shouldn’t be dishonest with the other person, you should not admit liability or partial liability for the accident or try and negotiate an outcome with the other driver of the vehicle without first reporting the incident to your insurance company and discussing your options in more detail with one of their advisors.

Depending on what State or Territory you live in (and depending on the seriousness of the accident) you may be required by law to report the incident to the police. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the law as it applies to you. You can read more about car accidents and legal advice here.

Once you’re satisfied that you’ve done all of the following:

1. Exchanged your name, address, contact telephone number and registration details with the owner of the other vehicle;
2. Taken photos of the damage (especially caused to your vehicle) and identified and recorded the details of any witnesses; and,
3. Made contact with your insurance company,

You’ve completed the first phase of the car accident management process (to learn more on this topic, read “I never knew it even existed”: the hidden benefits of non-fault accident management.)

If you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and you’re in need of a replacement vehicle, the next best move is to contact one of the friendly team members at Acorn Rentals. Our job is to replace your damaged vehicle with a new one from our diverse and extensive range of new cars. And the truly wonderful thing about what we do is that if the accident was not your fault, we chase up your insurance company to pay for our fees, so it won’t cost you a cent.

To learn more about our like-for-like replacement policy, read about our courtesy car promise: keeping you on the road with the car you love.

“There is not one single thing I can fault about your service. It was impeccable. From organising the car to delivery to leaving the car at the repair shop. Everything was effortless.”

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“The service and experience with Acorn was well above standard. Thank you very much. I would be most happy to recommend you (very highly) to others.”

While non-fault accident management companies have a long and established history in the United Kingdom, in Australia they’re not as common and certainly not as well known. The benefits, however, are extensive and should be made aware to all motorists.

Companies that practice accident management act as an intermediary between you, the driver, and the relevant organisations you would ordinarily have to deal with (mainly insurance companies) to settle an accident claim. While accident management companies can fulfil a whole host of roles, the primary services they provide are as follows:

1. Liaising with insurers on your behalf;
2. Recovering your losses if you are uninsured;
3. Determining the cause of an accident and the driver at fault;
4. Organising the recovery of damaged or destroyed vehicles; and,
5. Providing replacement vehicles.

For the non-fault driver, accident management is free. The management company bears the costs of providing their services and then recovers those costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer.

If you are the at-fault driver, accident management companies will still provide you with the benefit of their services, but you may not have access to the same range of benefits that you would if you were the non-fault driver, or they may not all be free.

Acorn Rentals is a specialist accident management company dedicated to Australian motorists across the country. Our primary service is the provision of replacement vehicles to get you back on the road quickly and effortlessly while your own vehicle is being repaired.

If you’re the non-fault driver, we provide you with a replacement vehicle at no cost to you and then we recover our fees from the other driver’s insurer. If you are the at fault driver and you need a replacement vehicle we can provide you with one at our competitive rates, or if you have replacement vehicle cover included in your insurance policy we can provide you with one for free and we will recover our fees from your insurer.

“Thank you so much for organising car rental for me while my car was repaired. I couldn’t believe how helpful and reliable you certainly are, your timing was perfect, you take the stress away.”

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“I was so impressed with the service I received from Acorn, I was dreading having to be without my car for a week, as usually, most loan cars are terrible. Acorn made the whole experience so easy and delivered an almost new car for me to use for the week.

Everything was very organised and professional. I would definitely recommend Acorn rentals to anyone requiring a loan car”

More often than not car accidents are resolved quickly and fairly by the people involved, normally with the assistance and management of the drivers’ insurance companies. But there might be an occasion where you have to take action to recover your car accident costs.

The easiest and cheapest way to trigger this process of recovering your costs is to send the at-fault driver or their insurer a letter of demand. A letter of demand is a clear and strongly worded request for payment. There is an example letter of demand at the bottom of this article to help you write your own.

The first step to writing a letter of demand is to work out the costs you wish to recover. These will no doubt include the cost to repair your vehicle to the condition it was in before the accident (or the wholesale value if the car is written off) and the towing fees you incurred. They might also include your medical expenses and/or the cost to repair damage to any other property destroyed as a result of the accident. When you’re gathering quotes for the repairs to your vehicle, ensure to get at least two or three independent estimates.

Once you have determined the quantum of your costs, you can go ahead and write the letter of demand. Note, it is important to include the phrase “Without Prejudice” on all correspondence with the other driver or their insurer so that any negotiations you have are exempt from being used against you if the matter were to go to Court.

Sample letter of demand

Please note: Although Acorn is a car accident management specialist, it cannot provide specialist car accident legal advice. Nothing in this article is intended to represent legal advice in any form. If you require legal assistance, you should retain the services of a private legal professional or follow the suggestions at the bottom of this article.

Car accidents can be extremely emotional, costly and stressful events. Depending on the severity and grade of the accident, you may need to pursue legal action or protection and, therefore, get some legal advice. But even before the legal process of settling a claim begins, it is important that you know your legal rights and responsibilities as they apply within the context of a car accident and/or you know where to go to find out more and get some advice.

This article provides a summarised overview with respect to car accidents and legal advice.

If you’re the driver at fault in an accident, the first immediate legal step you need to take is to stop and provide your name and address and (if different) the name and address of the owner of your vehicle to anyone injured in the accident or anyone whose property was damaged. If you can’t find the person whose property was damaged, you need to give those details to anyone who can collect the information on that person’s behalf. If someone is injured, you must assist them and if they’re critically injured you must call an ambulance and the police.

If you’re not the driver at fault, this step is reversed and you need to protect your legal rights and interests by getting the name and address of the driver of the other vehicle and (if different) its owner.

It varies slightly depending on the State or Territory you live in but in New South Wales you must call the police to an accident if: someone is injured; one of the cars involved needs to be towed; the other driver involved fails to stop to provide their details; or, the other driver is potentially under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If in the wake of the accident you receive a notice from the police alleging that you have committed a traffic offence, you should seek legal advice immediately before responding to the notice in any way. Any response to the notice may or may not be enough to establish your guilt with respect to the alleged offence. You may also receive a claim for costs from the other driver that requires your attendance at Court. If this is the case, seek legal advice immediately.

You might be able to access free legal advice through community legal centres or through the Legal Aid offices in each of the States and Territories. In New South Wales, you can make contact with LawAccess NSW, which offers a free telephone service for advice and information relating to car accidents. To learn more about your options, visit the Law Assist website.