Accident Claim & Car Care Guides
Plain-English guides from our Dandenong workshop: what to do after a not-at-fault crash, how insurance excess and hire cars work, and practical car care.
A not-at-fault claim is an insurance claim for damage another driver caused. If another driver hit you, the repair is usually claimed from their insurer, not your own policy. These guides explain that process step by step, along with servicing, tyres, brakes and roadworthies. Every guide is written in our Dandenong workshop and reviewed by Ahsan, our Manager.
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What to Photograph After a Car Accident: A Phone Checklist
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What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Not-at-Fault Hire Car: Can You Get a Replacement Car After a Crash?
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Insurance Excess Explained: Do You Pay It If You're Not at Fault?
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How Long Does a Car Insurance Claim Take?
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Full guide →How to use these guides after a car accident
If another driver caused the crash, these five steps cover the first day and point to the guide for each one.
- Make everyone safe, call 000 if anyone is hurt, and swap details with the other driver. What to do after a car accident.
- When it is safe, photograph both cars, the scene and the other driver's details. What to photograph after a car accident.
- Work out whose insurer to claim from when the other driver caused the crash. Someone hit my car: whose insurance do I call?
- Ask about a replacement car while yours is repaired. Not-at-fault hire car.
- Call us on 03 8774 5785 (24/7) or start your claim, and we take it from there with the insurer.
Which guide do I need?
| Your situation | Guide to read | How we can help |
|---|---|---|
| Another driver hit your car | Someone Hit My Car: Whose Insurance Do I Call? | We handle the not-at-fault claim with the insurer, end to end. |
| You need a car while yours is fixed | Not-at-Fault Hire Car | Replacement car through our rental partner once the claim paperwork is finalised and your car is dropped off. |
| You are worried about paying the excess | Insurance Excess Explained | We talk you through how the way you claim affects the excess. |
| You want to know how long a claim takes | How Long Does a Car Insurance Claim Take? | We keep the repair side moving and keep you updated. |
| You are choosing a policy | Comprehensive vs Third Party Car Insurance | Ask us on 03 8774 5785 how each policy type affects repairs. |
Key terms in these guides
- Not-at-fault claim
- An insurance claim for damage another driver caused, usually made against that driver's insurer rather than your own policy.
- Insurance excess
- The amount you agree to pay toward a claim on your own policy. Whether you pay it after a not-at-fault crash depends on how you claim.
- Replacement car
- A car you drive while yours is repaired. We arrange it through our rental partner, and the hire is billed to the at-fault driver's insurer. Fuel, tolls and fines during the hire are yours.
- Accident towing
- Towing from the crash scene to our workshop, which we arrange 24/7. Who pays for the tow depends on the case.
Questions about these guides
Who writes the SS Automotive guides?
Each guide is written in our workshop at 5 Quinn Street, Dandenong, and reviewed by Ahsan, our Manager, before it goes live. We write about what we deal with every day: not-at-fault accident claims, towing, replacement cars and repairs, plus servicing, tyres, brakes and roadworthies for drivers in Melbourne's south-east.
How often are new guides published?
A new guide goes live about every three days. Most cover what happens after a car accident, such as claims, insurers, towing and replacement cars. The rest cover servicing and seasonal car care for drivers around Dandenong. Older guides are updated when the process or the rules change, and each one shows its update date.
Can you help with my own not-at-fault claim?
Yes. If another driver caused the accident, call us on 03 8774 5785 (answered 24/7) or start your claim online. We deal with the insurer, arrange towing and a replacement car through our rental partner, and repair your car in our Dandenong workshop. Every claim is subject to assessment of the details.
Are these guides legal or insurance advice?
No. The guides explain in plain English how not-at-fault claims, insurance excess and hire cars usually work in Victoria. Your own policy, the other driver's insurer and the facts of the accident decide the outcome, so check your policy documents and ask your insurer or a lawyer about your own situation.
Had an accident or need a service?
We can help today.
5 Quinn Street, Dandenong VIC 3175 — Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM by appointment).
Start Your Claim Book a ServiceLast updated · Reviewed by Ahsan, Manager