What's the difference between completely at fault and partly at fault?

Completely at fault: It's clear the other driver is solely to blame for the accident. They may be intoxicated, they may have been texting, or they may have run a red light while meanwhile you were following all of the road rules. Partly at fault: Even if you didn't cause the accident, you may be partly to blame. For example, you may have admitted liability at the scene, you may have been distracted, or you may have misjudged another driver's intentions. After any car accident, regardless of fault, always get the other driver's contact details, their insurance information, their driver license number, and their license plate number. You should also take photos of the scene and any damage, get the contact information of any witnesses, and take notes of what happened as soon as possible. Read more about the main steps to follow immediately after a car accident .

Does my level of insurance impact what I can claim?

If the at-fault driver has insurance, their policy should cover the cost of any repairs. However, if you are hit by an uninsured driver, you may be able to claim on your own policy. If you have comprehensive insurance , you will likely be covered for all damage. Some third party property and third party fire and theft policies also cover limited damage from uninsured drivers but this varies between brands. Check your PDS to learn more.

Will I need to pay an excess if an accident isn't my fault?

In most cases, you won't need to pay an excess if another driver was completely at fault. However, you will usually be required to provide the other driver's name, address and registration number when lodging your claim.