Not-at-Fault Accidents · SS Automotive
Car Accident Repair & Your Insurer Claim, Handled in Dandenong
Another driver hit you and you have a claim number? Hand it to us. We arrange the tow, a replacement car and the repair, and we deal with the insurer while you get on with your week.
Not sure where you stand? Check in a minute · Send photos of the damage
Towing arranged 24/7 · Replacement car · Lifetime warranty on workmanship · ★ 4.6 from 84 Google reviews
What Is a Not-at-Fault Claim?
The short answer.
A not-at-fault claim is an insurance claim for damage another driver caused. The cost of fixing your car is recovered from that driver's insurer, either directly or through your own insurer. If the other driver is identified and insured, you usually don't pay an excess on their insurer's claim, and you can usually choose who repairs your car (Moneysmart explains the steps in its guide to claiming on car insurance).
At SS Automotive Group, an accident repair centre in Dandenong, we take it from your claim number: we deal with the insurer, arrange towing 24/7 if your car can't be driven, and repair it at 5 Quinn Street with painting in our own spray booth. Once the claim paperwork is finalised and you drop your car off, you get a replacement car straight away, arranged through our rental partner, Subhan Rental Services, and billed to the at-fault driver's insurer; fuel, tolls and fines during the hire are yours. Panel and paint workmanship carries a lifetime warranty while you own the car. Whether a claim is accepted is decided by the insurers.
Last updated · Reviewed by Ahsan, Manager
In the Next 10 Minutes
- Check everyone is safe. Call 000 if anyone is hurt.
- Swap names, phone numbers, addresses, rego and insurer details with the other driver. In Victoria you must report the crash to police if anyone is injured or the other driver doesn't give their details. Thousands of Victorians are hurt in crashes each year: see our Victoria road crash statistics.
- Photograph both cars, the number plates and the scene.
- Don't admit fault. The insurers work that out.
- Lodge the claim and write down the claim number.
- Call us on 03 8774 5785, day or night. If the car can't be driven, we arrange the tow.
Accident Assistance Checker
Not sure where you stand? Check in a minute.
Answer a few quick questions and we'll point you to the right next step. Nothing you choose is saved or sent.
Car can't be driven? Call 03 8774 5785: towing is arranged 24/7. Otherwise start your claim online; a claim number helps but isn't required.
What We Handle
Everything between the crash and getting your car back.
Most people have never made a not-at-fault claim before. You shouldn't have to learn how insurers work in the week your car is off the road. Give us the claim number and we run it from our workshop at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong. We have been operating since 2021, paint in our own spray booth on site, and also handle paintless dent removal, ADAS camera and sensor recalibration after repairs, and hybrid and EV repairs.
01
Your Claim, Handled
We take your claim number, send the repair quote and photos to the insurer, and chase the approval.
Start Your Claim →
02
Towing, Arranged 24/7
Car not safe to drive? Call 03 8774 5785 any time and we arrange a tow to our workshop.
Request a Tow →
03
Replacement Car
Once the claim paperwork is finalised and you drop your car off, you get a replacement car straight away, so you keep driving while yours is repaired.
Ask About a Car →
04
Damage Assessment
We inspect the visible damage and check steering, suspension and cooling parts before quoting.
Smash Repairs →
05
Panel & Paint
Panel beating in our workshop and painting in our own spray booth, both on the same site.
Panel & Paint →
06
Lifetime Warranty
Every repair is covered by a lifetime warranty on workmanship for as long as you own the car. We go through it with you at collection.
About Our Repairs →Your Rights
What a not-at-fault claim usually means for you.
If another driver caused the crash, the cost of your repairs is normally claimed from their insurer. You can do that directly against their insurer, or through your own insurer, who then recovers the money from the other side.
- Excess: if you claim through the other driver's insurer and they're identified and insured, you usually don't pay one. If you claim on your own policy, you may have to pay it first and get it back once your insurer recovers the cost. For a scraped bumper or a small dent, compare the excess with the cost of a bumper, dent or scratch repair.
- Choice of repairer: on a claim against the other driver's insurer, you can usually choose who repairs your car. On your own policy it depends on the policy wording. Tell the insurer you'd like SS Automotive.
- Replacement car: Once the claim paperwork is finalised and you drop your car off, you get a replacement car straight away.
- Other driver uninsured? The claim is harder to recover. Call us and we'll talk you through the options.
Every claim depends on the circumstances and the insurers involved. We help with the practical side of your claim. We don't give legal advice and can't promise what an insurer will decide.
Replacement Car
Keep driving while we fix yours.
Work, school runs and shopping don't stop because someone ran into you. Once the claim paperwork is finalised and you drop your car off, you get a replacement car straight away, and we collect it when yours is ready.
Need a car for longer, or one that isn't part of a not-at-fault claim? Our rental partner Subhan Rental Services in Dandenong South rents cars, hybrids, 7 and 8 seaters and vans weekly and long term; minimum hire is one month, with shorter hires by arrangement.
Before You Call
Have these ready
Your claim number, the other driver's details, your photos, your insurer's name, and a police event number if police attended.
Read the guides:
How It Works
Four steps from claim number to collection.
Call or Send Your Claim
Phone 03 8774 5785 or send your claim online with your claim number.
Tow or Drop Off
Drive in to 5 Quinn Street, or we arrange a tow, 24/7, if the car can't be driven.
Replacement Car & Repair
You drive a replacement car. We send the quote to the insurer, then repair the panels, paint and any mechanical damage.
Collect
We check the repair, call you to collect, and take back the replacement car. Your repair has a lifetime warranty on workmanship.
Common Questions
Not-at-fault claim questions
Do I need a claim number before I call you?
It helps, because it lets us contact the insurer straight away. If you haven't lodged the claim yet, call us anyway and we'll tell you what you need.
Do I pay an excess if the accident wasn't my fault?
If you claim through the other driver's insurer and they're identified and insured, usually not. If you claim on your own policy, you may pay the excess first and get it back once your insurer recovers the cost from the other side. We'll check how your claim is set up.
Can I choose SS Automotive to repair my car?
On a claim against the other driver's insurer you can usually choose your own repairer. On your own policy it depends on the policy wording. Tell the insurer you'd like SS Automotive at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong, or give us the claim number and we'll contact them.
Will I get a replacement car?
Yes. Once the claim paperwork is finalised and you drop your car off, you get a replacement car straight away. You keep it until your car is repaired and ready to collect. It's arranged through our rental partner, Subhan Rental Services, and billed to the at-fault driver's insurer; fuel, tolls and any fines while you have the car are your responsibility.
Do I have to claim through my own insurer?
Not always. You can claim directly against the other driver's insurer, or through your own insurer, who then recovers the cost. We work with whichever route your claim takes.
What if the other driver's insurer is slow?
We follow up with the insurer for you and keep you updated, so you're not the one making the calls.
Can you tow my car after hours?
Yes. Towing is arranged 24/7. Call 03 8774 5785 and tell us where the car is.
Do you give legal advice?
No. We handle the practical side: towing, the replacement car, the repair and dealing with the insurer. We can't give legal advice or promise what an insurer will decide.
Helpful guides
Not at fault?
Send us your claim number.
Towing arranged 24/7 on 03 8774 5785. Workshop at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong VIC 3175, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM by appointment. Rated 4.6 from 84 Google reviews.
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