Not at fault car accident

How we calculate Comprehensive Car Insurance Finder Scores

Read full methodology

What different scores mean

9+

Excellent

These products offer the best value and outcomes considering various product features and price.

7+

Great

Competitive products within their group.

5+

Standard

But these products still offer reasonable value and have the basics sorted.

0+

Basic

Offering basic cover with limited features or higher pricing.

What to do after a car accident that wasn't your fault

When you're involved in a car accident it's natural to feel emotion and tensions can run high. However, it's important to try and be methodical and follow the appropriate steps to stay safe and prevent future complications.

Safety first

Check everyone is okay, call for emergency services if required and, if it's safe and necessary to do so, move your vehicle to prevent further accidents.

Contact the police

Generally, it's advised that anyone involved in a car accident contact the police and file a report. This can be crucial when settling insurance claims.

Exchange information

Collect the other driver's information, including name, contact details, licence number, and insurance information.

Collect evidence

Take lots of photos of the accident scene, damage to any vehicles or property involved, and licence plates for documentation.

Speak to witnesses

If there are witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information. Their statements may be valuable in case nobody admits fault.

Notify your insurance

Even when you're not at fault, you should inform your insurance company. They can guide you through next steps, help recover damages from the other driver's insurer, or cover your costs if the other driver isn't insured.

These tips were compiled with the help of Nathan McCullum, Director of McCullum Advisory.

Should I claim on my insurance if I'm not at fault?

It depends. If the other driver has insurance, their policy should cover your damage and you don't need to claim on your own policy. If they don't have insurance, or if they prefer not to involve their insurer, they may agree to pay you out of their own pocket.

However, if the other driver isn't insured or won't pay for the damage, you may need to claim on your own insurance - particularly if the repair bill is expensive.

Regardless of whether you make a claim or not, you should always inform your insurer of an accident. They will be able to help guide you through the best steps to take.

Will a not at fault accident claim affect my car insurance premium?

If you have to claim on your own insurance because the other driver was uninsured or you were unable to get their details, it's likely your premium will be impacted.

However, if the matter is handled by the other driver or their insurer, and they cover the cost to repair any damage, your car insurance premium is unlikely to be impacted.

Read your product disclosure statement (PDS) and certificate of insurance carefully to avoid any nasty surprises.

Will making a claim impact my no-claim bonus discount?

If you weren't at fault and you provide your car insurance details to the other driver, it's unlikely that a claim will impact your no-claim bonus discount. However, keep in mind that your permiums could still go up after making a claim, even if you weren't the one the blame.

What if you don't have car insurance?

It doesn't matter. If the other driver is at fault, they should cover the cost of your repairs. They can either cover the cost themselves, or have their insurance cover the cost.

If you're having trouble hearing back from the other person, you can send a letter of demand, involve a lawyer, lodge a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) or take the matter to court.

What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?

If the at-fault driver doesn't have insurance, they may pay you out of their own pocket. However, if the repair bill is extensive, it can be difficult to recoup the costs.

Depending on the amount owed, you may need to lodge a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) or take the matter to court.

What the experts think

Avoid admitting fault. It's crucial not to admit fault or blame at the accident scene. Liability is determined by the authorities and insurance companies.

Nathan McCullum

Depending on the policy you have and where the accident occurs in relation to where you live, you may be entitled to temporary accommodation, temporary repairs or transport home or to your destination following the accident.

Don Shields, Managing Director, Geelong Insurance Brokers

❮ ❯

Compare car insurance

{"userFilters":[{"config":{"VALUES":"Comprehensive,Third Party Fire and Theft,Third Party Property Damage"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"TABLE_FILTER.INSURANCE_TYPE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Insurance Type","order":1},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes,No"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"TABLE_FILTER.OFFERS_OR_DISCOUNTS"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Bonuses","order":2},{"config":{},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"GENERAL.PROVIDER_ID"},"dataType":"UUID","label":"Providers","order":100},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes,No"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"EXPANDED_FEATURES.ACCIDENTAL_DAMAGE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Accidental Damage","order":null},{"config":{"VALUES":"Agreed,Market,Agreed or Market,None"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"EXPANDED_FEATURES.AGREED_OR_MARKET_VALUE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Agreed or Market Value","order":null},{"config":{"MULTISELECT":true,"VALUES":"NSW,QLD,VIC,TAS,WA,NT,SA,ACT"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"EXPANDED_FEATURES.AVAILABLE_STATES"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Available State","order":null},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes,No,Optional"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"EXPANDED_FEATURES.CHOICE_OF_REPAIRER"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Choice Of Repairer","order":null},{"config":{"VALUES":"Yes,No,Optional"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"product","fieldCode":"EXPANDED_FEATURES.ROADSIDE_ASSISTANCE"},"dataType":"TEXT","label":"Roadside Assistance","order":null},{"config":{"VALUES":"0"},"dataSelector":{"recordType":"UI_FILTER_COMPONENT","fieldCode":"FULL_MARKET"},"dataType":"FULL_MARKET","label":"More products"}],"niche":{"currencySymbol":"$","decimalPoint":".","decimalPlaces":"2","thousandsSeparator":",","filterBoundsMap":{"product.TABLE_FILTER.INSURANCE_TYPE":null,"product.TABLE_FILTER.OFFERS_OR_DISCOUNTS":null,"product.GENERAL.PROVIDER_ID":null,"product.EXPANDED_FEATURES.ACCIDENTAL_DAMAGE":null,"product.EXPANDED_FEATURES.AGREED_OR_MARKET_VALUE":null,"product.EXPANDED_FEATURES.AVAILABLE_STATES":null,"product.EXPANDED_FEATURES.CHOICE_OF_REPAIRER":null,"product.EXPANDED_FEATURES.ROADSIDE_ASSISTANCE":null}},"prefilled":false,"experimental":false}

10 of 69 results

Finder Score	Roadside assistance	Accidental damage	Storm	Choice of repairer	Agreed or Market Value	Offer
Promoted Finder Score 9 Excellent Youi Comprehensive	Finder Score 9 Excellent				Optional	Agreed or Market	Summary: A great value policy with exceptional customer service. Youi won the 2024 Finder Award for Customer Satisfaction. It scored highly for features and benefits, customer service and reliability. It also automatically includes roadside assistance with comprehensive policies in its price - a feature that typically costs upwards of $90 per year.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder Score 9.9 Excellent Budget Direct Comprehensive	Finder Score 9.9 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	⭐ Current offer: 15% off your first year's premium when you take out a policy online.	Summary: Budget Direct Comprehensive is highly commended as a feature-packed car insurance. It's cheaper than most, plus you can lower costs by adding age restrictions. Who it might be good for: Anyone who wants a good value policy.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder Score 8 Great ROLLiN' Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great					Agreed	⭐ Current offer: Get 10% off the base premium for the first 2 consecutive monthly policies and up to a 15% potential monthly discount from your 3rd month for being a safer driver. Minimum premiums may apply.	Summary: One of the most cost-effective insurers for under 25s, according to Finder research, with no aged-based excess. Who it might be good for: Young drivers looking to keep costs down and anyone who’d like to get more flexibility from their car insurance.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 9.9 Excellent Coles Comprehensive Insurance Finder Award	Finder Score 9.9 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	⭐ Current offer: Save 15% off your first year’s premium when you take out a new Coles Car Insurance policy online.	Summary: Coles Comprehensive Car Insurance includes the benefits you'd expect, plus features like grocery replacement (up to $200 if damaged or stolen. T&C's apply). Who it might be good for: Those who want great quality cover and more rewards with Flybuys.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 9.9 Excellent Qantas Comprehensive	Finder Score 9.9 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	⭐ Current offer: Earn up to 30,000 Qantas Points with every car insurance policy. Ends 26 November. Plus save 15% on your 1st year’s premium when you purchase online. T&Cs apply.	Summary: You need car insurance so why not get one that lets you earn Qantas Points? It's good value too (it's underwritten by the same insurer as Budget Direct). Who it might be good for: People who want more bang for their buck with Qantas Points.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 9.2 Excellent ING Comprehensive	Finder Score 9.2 Excellent	Optional			Optional	Agreed or Market	⭐ Current offer: Save 15% on your first year’s premium when you buy a new ING comprehensive car insurance online.	Summary: A policy with high benefit limits included as standard with plenty of optional add-ons. Who it might be good for: Drivers who like the ability to tailor their cover with lots of optional extras like windscreen damage and roadside assistance.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.9 Great Kogan Comprehensive	Finder Score 8.9 Great	Optional				Agreed or Market	⭐ Current offer: Get up to 10% off your first year's premium, and $10 monthly Kogan.com credit (valid on $100+ purchases) with new online Comprehensive Car Insurance.	Summary: Kogan comes with all the perks that most comprehensive car insurance policies include, but you’ll also be entitled to some benefits from its online store. This usually comes in the form of a gift voucher or discount if you buy online. Who it might be good for: Kogan shoppers and those after a good range of policy options.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.5 Great Australian Seniors Comprehensive	Finder Score 8.5 Great	Optional				Agreed	⭐ Current offer: Save 5% on your first year's car insurance premium by holding a valid Seniors Card.	Finder’s summary: Australian Seniors’ comprehensive policy includes complimentary hire car for a stolen car, up to $1,000 for a damaged trailer or caravan, up to $500 for emergency travel and accommodation cover. Who it might be good for: People over 50 years old looking for flexible cover options.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8.1 Great Bingle Comprehensive Finder Award	Finder Score 8.1 Great					Market	Summary: Our data shows it’s the cheapest comprehensive policy. It just covers the basics such as damage to your car, theft and storms – it doesn’t go in for add-ons and extras. Who it might be good for: Those wanting a low-cost, no-frills policy.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder Score 8 Great Huddle Comprehensive	Finder Score 8 Great	Optional				Agreed or Market	Summary: Huddle's comprehensive policy will cover you if your vehicle is damaged or lost as a result of a collision, a natural event, a malicious act, theft or fire. It also includes up to $500 for essential repairs. Who it might be good for: Someone who drives less than 15,000 km a year can opt for Pay As You Drive cover.	Get Quote More info Compare product selection Compare	loading

loading

Load More

Showing 10 of 12 results

Compare other products

We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:

How we picked these

Frequently asked questions

• 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.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Gary Ross Hunter as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Nicola Middlemiss

Journalist

Nicola Middlemiss is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio

Nicola's expertise

Nicola has written 256 Finder guides across topics including:

• Personal finance
• Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
• Commercial business insurance