Buying a car
At fault with no car insurance: What happens now?
13 June 2025
It’s an unnerving feeling when you’re in a car accident, especially if you’re at fault and don’t have car insurance. Learn what to do if you’re in a car accident when you don’t have third party or comprehensive car insurance.
If the car accident was your fault
Scenario 1: The other driver is insured and makes a claim
If you’re deemed ‘at fault’ by the other driver and their insurer, they’ll ask you to pick up the bill for the damages. Without insurance, you will have to pay out of your own pocket.
Repair costs vary depending on the type of accident, and whether you’ve damaged someone else’s vehicle or caused property damage (e.g., to someone’s house). Costs you might have to cover include repairs to the damaged vehicle, towing fees, the cost of a rental car for replacement, plus any other costs to property other than the car. You may receive a letter of demand asking you to pay the cost of the repairs, or a phone call from their insurer.
Scenario 2: All drivers don’t have insurance
Without insurance, neither party will be able to make a claim. That means you need to settle the repair cost directly with the other party.
If the car accident wasn’t your fault (or there’s doubt)
If you think that the accident wasn’t your fault, then you could have some wiggle room. Even without insurance, you may not need to pay the other driver’s repairs.
It’s important to know your legal rights when someone makes a claim against you. Otherwise, you might not have the know-how to dispute a claim that you believe to be unfair. According to Legal Aid Queensland*, getting legal advice in a car accident is a good idea if there’s a dispute about liability and the cost of property damages.
Why car insurance comes in handy
Car insurance can take away some of the stress of a car accident, whether you’re at fault or not. Policies come in different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive. So, you can hopefully find an option that works for your needs and budget.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of car insurance.
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance is required by law in all states of Australia.
CTP insurance provides protection for at-fault drivers against compensation claims for medical and rehabilitation costs from people injured in a motor vehicle accident. It doesn’t cover repairs to damaged vehicles and property.
Third Party Car Insurance
If you have Third Party Car Insurance, you might be able to save some out-of-pocket expenses. Say that you run into the back of a car — Third Party Car Insurance can cover the costs of those damages. That’s because it covers legal liability for damage to other people’s property arising from the use of your car. It includes some additional features, like damage by uninsured drivers, and damage caused by caravans and trailers you may be towing.
With Suncorp, you can also choose to get an optional Fire and Theft cover. This includes the basic Third Party Car Insurance, plus:
- Liability for loss or damage from fire or theft.
- Expenses arising after a fire or theft claim to your car.
- Up to 21 days of car hire after a theft.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance is a ‘bells and whistles’ premium level of cover. With Comprehensive cover, you could claim things like:
- Accidental loss or damage to your car from events such as collision and impact, or vehicle damage from hail, storm and flood events.
- Theft & malicious damage.
- Accidental loss or damage to another person’s car or property.
- Additional features and covers such as a hire car after a not-at-fault incident, or cover for personal items lost or damaged in an accident.
Compare Car Insurance policies
Windscreen and window glass cover
If the damage is limited to the glass sections of your car, you won’t have to pay an excess if you have windscreen and window glass cover. This is an optional extra^ that you can add to your Comprehensive Car Insurance policy.
Roadside Assist
Roadside Assist is another useful add on to your Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance policy. If you’re stranded in Woop Woop, we can help in various situations. For e.g. if you’re locked out of your car, or if you need towing services or emergency fuel delivery. Terms and conditions apply.
Hire Car after an event up to 21 days
With Suncorp Comprehensive Car Insurance, you can also add Hire Car as an optional extra. In the event of a successful claim, we’ll provide a hire car that meets your transport needs for up to 21 days if your car has been stolen or can’t be safely driven.
Explore Comprehensive Car Insurance
*Source: Legal Aid Queensland, Car accidents, accessed 11 Jan 2019.
^ Optional cover benefits are subject to the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the insurance policy. You can’t add optional covers after an incident and have damage or loss covered for that same incident. Optional covers must be added to your policy before the incident you’re claiming for. Please refer to the PDS for more information.
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Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
The information is intended to be of general nature only. Subject to any rights you may have under any law, we do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage, including loss of business or profits or any other indirect loss, incurred as a result of reliance upon the information. Please make your own enquiries.
