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Car Rental Insurance Explained

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Further to our previous post about Car Rental Insurance (see https://lowcostcarrentals.com.au/safety-needs/rental-cars-insurance-driver-overseas-licence/), we would like to provide some of the Low Cost Car Rentals insurance costs and excess explained.

car rental

When you hire a car in Sydney from Low Cost Car Rentals, the insurance excess will be covered by default, but with the default Insurance option, if you have an accident in our rental car and you are at fault, your insurance excess will be $2750.00.

If the accident is not your fault and then there is no dispute in liability that means if the other party agrees they are at fault (not orally, but something in written) then we will not charge you any money if you can provide the other party details. Sometimes, your travel Insurance or Credit cards would cover this Insurance Excess amount for your car rental in Sydney. But you will probably need to check with your credit card provider prior to picking up your rental car in Sydney from Low Cost Car Rentals.

But you do have an option to pay an additional $18.00 per day on top of the rental to reduce the excess down to $500.00 which is completely up to you.

Please note that we will charge you the insurance excess $2750.00 only if you have an accident and if you are at fault. We will not charge you any excess amount at the time of picking your rental car in Sydney.

Also note that, there is an additional fee $1500.00 applies on top of the above-mentioned insurance charges, if it is a single vehicle accident. For the drivers between the ages of 21-24 and above 70 years of age and for the provisional drivers’ license holder’s an additional excess fee of $750 applies on top of all the above-mentioned costs.

No insurance will be covered for overhead and under carriage damages of the rental cars. Insurance excess is payable in total immediately irrespective of the cause/ nature of the accident.

Still have questions? Call Low Cost Car Rentals office on 02 8056 6535 or email reservations@lowcostcarrentals.com.au and one of our friendly team members will be able to assist you further.

Your safety is our priority

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Here, at Low Cost Car Rentals, we value our customers and their safety.

Rental Vehicle Safety

Safety on the roads starts with choosing the right car to hire. Here, at Low Cost Car Rentals, we are always ready to help and answer any questions you have. We want to make sure your car rental period is about you, your family and your destination, and worry free when it comes to the hired vehicle.

Before we give you the vehicle:

  • We regularly service our vehicles for hire. We use only trusted mechanics and electricians to inspect the vehicles. Car servicing is done according to the best practices and sometimes even earlier when scheduled. For example, if we know some customer will hire the car for long period of time or paying for “unlimited kilometres” package, we will inspect and service the vehicle one extra time.
  • When our cars are not on rent, they always parked securely under ground. Unlike most of the car rentals where the vehicles are parked outside, exposed to the sun, heat and rain.

When you are picking up the car:

  • Each car has unique characteristics – the indicators and hand brakes can be positioned in different locations. It is especially tricky when it comes to bigger cars like people movers. When you are picking up a vehicle from Low Cost Car Rentals, our trained staff will let you know about the car specifics if any. For example, 8-seater Kia Carnival has 2 different places to put the hand brake on (the very left pedal under your feet) and release from the hand brake (a little handle under the steering wheel on the left). Most of the people movers from Toyota have it all in one place – under your feet. Cars like 7-seater Holden Captiva have it positioned in the most usual location, under your left arm, next to the gears stick. Our Car Rentals staff will never push you to drive away as soon as possible. They will remind you to get familiar and comfortable with the rental car first. Adjust the seatbelts and mirrors, get familiar with all the pedals and nobs, inspect the car stereo and air conditioning operation controls.

When the car is on rent:

  • Every single car rent includes a complimentary 24/7 road-side assistance. Tyre puncture, windscreen chip or flat battery can happen to the best of us. We can’t predict where and when that happens. What we can do, is to make sure someone is 30-60 minutes away from where you are and ready to help you out. And yes, once again, it is absolutely free with each car rental. You just need to make sure you obey the basic vehicle usage rules. You can find it on the Terms and Conditions page of your rental agreement.

When you are dropping the car back to us:

  • When the hired vehicle comes back from the rental, we ask our customers for the feedback. Simple feedback in case the customer noticed some unusual smell, sound or vehicle shaking can ensure we take actions before we give the vehicle to the next customer. Unfortunately some customers are afraid to tell as they think they would be charged for damaging the hire vehicle. We ensure you, those questions asked only for the sake of safety of the next customer.

Your safety is our main priority. Please be safe on the roads, drive carefully and obey the road rules.

In case you have any concern, please make sure you call one of our staff members and discuss it.

Australia: Driver’s Licence Requirements for Car Rentals

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If you are a temporary overseas visiting driver and you hold a current overseas driver licence you do not have to get an Australian state driver’s licence. You can drive on your current overseas licence as long as:

  • You remain a visitor.
  • Your overseas licence remains current.
  • You have not been disqualified from driving.
  • You have not had your licence suspended or cancelled or your visiting driver privileges withdrawn.

Temporary overseas visiting drivers include:

  • Tourists.
  • Business people on limited-duration visits.
  • People studying or working temporarily (eg working visa holders).

Your licence must be written in English or, if the licence is not in English, you must also carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) with your licence when driving.

You must carry your current overseas licence, IDP or translation with you while driving.

You do require to have a photo ID licence if you want to rent a car from Low Cost Car Rentals. If your foreign licence does not have a photo ID, you should get an IDP before travelling to Australia if you intend to rent a car.

All states require Australians from other states to get a new state licence after three month’s residence (with some specific exceptions). Some states also require New Zealanders to get a state drivers licence after they have been in Australia for three months.

Specific State Requirements

In Australia, laws and driving regulations differ from state to state. Some states require you to carry an International Licence with your current foreign licence. Other states request you carry your current foreign driver’s licence together with a formal translation of your licence into English.

Select the state or territory you will be driving in to find out what the laws are for driving with an overseas licence.

Cheaper Holidays without compromising on Car Rentals

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They are plenty of tips to save on car rentals. However saving on each item in your itinerary will not make your holidays better, it will only make it cheaper. The best way to save on holidays is to not be caught in stereotyping.

Obviously the best time to visit Sydney is in summer. It comes with Christmas on the Beach, Santa Clauses in shorts and plenty of Boat Parties and Dinner cruises in the Harbour. This also comes with the price.

Guess what, the Sydney icons such Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Anzac Bridge will not run away as the temperature drops. Did you know that you can save up to 44% on your hotel rentals and up to 61% on the flights by simply visiting Sydney in the less busy time?

Sydney’s beautiful beaches remain just as popular as ever, for coastal walks, whale watching, dining and even swimming — with many outdoor pools heated through the winter months.

And of course, there are boundless activities to be found indoors too, in pubs, wineries and cultural institutions.

Here’s our top 5 best activities to enjoy in Sydney this winter holidays.

1. Climb to the top of the world

A quintessential Sydney experience for tourists and locals alike, the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb is open for winter ascents on Sundays. The air may be crisp but it’s also particularly clear, making those sunsets spectacular. BridgeClimb provides winter woollies to warm those muscles as you climb to one of the best views in the world.

Harbour Bridge view from Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens in Winter

2. Swim outdoors

There’s no need to avoid Sydney’s crystal blue waters and stunning coastal views just because it’s winter. Some of the best swimming pools in Sydney heat their lanes throughout the colder months. Enjoy that stunning view of the Harbour Bridge while swimming laps at North Sydney Pool, next door to the iconic Luna Park. The pool at Prince Alfred Park, next to Central Station, is also heated and has water temperatures set to a comfortable 26C.

3. Take a coastal walk

Get those legs moving and heat back in the body doing the Manly to Spit walk or the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Whether you’re a history buff, beach lover, or simply love nature, there’s something for everyone along the way. From Manly Wharf, the coastal trail winds past Dobroyd Head, one of the walk’s most scenic locations, and onto the military barracks at Bradleys Head.

Manly to Taronga Zoo coastal walk

Manly Beach in Winter

4. Watch some whales

May to November is whale-watching season when thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast of NSW to give birth in the warm waters off Queensland. The best places to spot them are from North Head Lookout at Manly and Cape Solander in the Kurnell section of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. For a view from the water, plenty of cruise companies offer whale watching tours. So grab your binoculars, sit back, relax and enjoy nature’s best show.

Whale watching in Sydney Harbour

Whale watching in Sydney Waters

5. Warm up with winter reds

When it’s very cold outside, sometimes there’s nothing better to do than sit indoors with a warming glass of wine. Take a tour with a winemaker to Hunter Valley or Mudgee, sample a cheese plate at the cellar door, or impress your friends after taking a food and wine pairing class.

What is next?

If you saved too much on your holidays and had enough of relaxing Sydney, may be it is time to go skiing or snowboarding in the busy Sydney areas. Kosciuszko National Park is only 500 km drive from Sydney. You will be transferred from low +20 Celsius to minus something in Perisher or Thredbo. A day of the winter fun can cost as little as $80 pp.

The list of things to do goes on. It is perfect season for hiking. It is not too cold to go camping. Have I mentioned the amount of food and drink festivals? Here it goes and it is not complete:

  • Parramatta Winterlight.
  • Bondi Winter Magic.
  • Bathurst Winter Festival.
  • Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley.
  • Winter Magic Festival, Blue Mountains.
  • Skating At Cathedral Square.
  • Winterfest Sydney Medieval Fair.

The Grounds, Alexandria NSW

The Grounds in Alexandria

Be aware, you might fell in love with Winter Sydney and will want to visit it again… in winter 🙂

To get the best Car Rentals Deal while you are in Sydney please call Low Cost Car Rentals.

What to do after a crash

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Rental cars are no different to the rest of the vehicles. The accidents happen.

First, make sure you have the most suitable insurance cover for your rental vehicle. However If you do not follow simple instructions in case of the crash, the insurance company may reject the claim and you will end paying the repairs out of your own pocket.

What to do in case of a crash

A step by step guide

Here is the procedure to follow in the case of a crash. Please note, this information is valid as of today 4 August 2017 and can be used for indicative purposes only. Please seek for a legal advice in case of disputes or further assistance.

Step 1

Stop! Don’t keep driving. If possible, use your indicator lights, hazard lights or headlights to warn other drivers and light up the scene if it is dark.

Help anyone who has been hurt. Call an ambulance if there are serious injuries.

Do not move anyone who’s been injured unless they are in immediate danger or need first aid. If someone has to be moved (if they are in danger), support broken limbs and be careful not to twist their back or neck.

For someone wearing a helmet, lift the visor but don’t remove it unless the person is vomiting or has stopped breathing. When removing a helmet, have one person support the head and neck, while another gently lifts the helmet off from the back.

Step 2

Call the police if anyone is killed or hurt, or if the other driver fails to stop or swap details. If the other driver seems like they might be drunk or high, or there is considerable damage to things other than cars, you also have to call the police. If nobody is injured and everyone involved has exchanged their details, you can arrange your own tow and leave the area, then report the crash later to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Step 3

Once you have made sure everyone is okay, it is time to swap details. Both drivers will need:

  1. Date, time and location of the crash
  2. The other driver’s details, including: full name and address
  3. The other car’s rego number, make and model
  4. The car owner’s full name, address and contact numbers (if the driver is not the owner).

If possible:

  1. Contact details and the name of a willing witness
  2. The name of the police officer, their police station and contact details (if the police attend the crash)
  3. The name of the car owner’s insurance company, type of policy and policy number.

Being in a crash is always stressful, even if it is minor. To make sure you remember what details to get from the other driver, it is a good idea to leave a copy of the above list in your glovebox.

Step 4

If your car needs to be towed, take all of your personal belongings out of the car and wave goodbye. Always keep the contact details of the rental company handy so you can quickly contact them and organise a replacement vehicle. The rental company would help you to tow the vehicle away or get it delivered to the mechanic. It all depends whether the vehicle is still drivable or not.

Step 5

Call your rental company as soon as you can. They need to make a claim with the insurance company. Then keep in touch with the rental agency to organise the car replacement or repairs.

Important: Crashes are very stressful for everyone. The people involved will be pretty shaken up, so it is important that you keep calm and try not to get emotional. Even if the other driver is aggressive – do not rev them up or the situation could get out of hand very quickly.

Guide for people injured in a motor vehicle accident

A greenslip is a legal requirement for all motor vehicles registered in NSW, except trailers.

Greenslip is a generic term for Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance (also referred to as CTP Greenslips, green slips, greenslip insurance, CTP and CTP Insurance).

A greenslip contains of two schemes. The Third-party Insurance scheme, regulated by the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 and the Lifetime Care and Support scheme, regulated by the Motor Accidents (Lifetime Care and Support) Act 2006.

If you are a person injured (but not at fault) in a motor vehicle accident, you can make a claim for a range of benefits including past and future medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, care costs and economic losses, as well as payments for pain and suffering (in some circumstances). Click here for more details.

SIRA is an organisation which is responsible for regulating workers compensation insurance, motor accidents compulsory third party (CTP) insurance and home building compensation insurance, in NSW.

If you are a person injured (and at fault), your Green Slip may provide limited cover, up to first $5000 of treatment costs and lost income incurred in the first six months after an accident. Check more on the official SIRA site.

References

The NSW Police brochure What to do after a car crash – available in ten different languages – provides a step-by-step guide for what to do in the event of a crash and specifies which details are necessary to record in the event of an accident. NSW Police recommend printing the brochure and keeping a copy in your carii. Along with the brochure, you can also download the Emergency+ app for iPhone and Android smartphones. The app uses your phone’s GPS to provide emergency service operators with your location details immediatelyiv,v.

Links

iNSW Police Force 2015, Crash Reporting FAQs, viewed 9 January 2015, 
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/road_safety/crash_reporting_faqs

iiNSW Police Force 2015, Road Safety, viewed 9 January 2015, 
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/road_safety

iiiInsurance Council of Australia 2014, NSW accident reporting rules change tomorrow – but insurers should still be notified, viewed 3 December 2014, 
http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/assets/media_release/2014/october2014/141014%20NSW%20consumer%20alert%20-%20accident%20reporting%20rules%20are%20changing%20but%20insurers%20should%20be%20notified.pdf

ivFire & Rescue NSW 2014, Emergency+, Google Play Store, viewed 3 December 2014, 
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.threesixtyentertainment.nesn&hl=en

vFire Rescue New South Wales 2014, Emergency +, viewed 3 December 2014, 
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/emergency-+/id691814685?mt=8