One of the most common reasons drivers delay getting a replacement car after a not-at-fault accident is this: they're waiting for a claim number. They assume the process can't begin until their insurer — or the at-fault insurer — assigns a reference number to their claim.
This is a misconception, and it's costing people days of unnecessary inconvenience.
You don't need a claim number to get started with a credit hire vehicle. Here's what you actually need.
What a claim number is (and what it isn't)
When you lodge an insurance claim — whether with your own insurer or the at-fault party's — the insurer assigns a reference number to track your claim internally. This typically takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours after you've made contact, sometimes longer if you're dealing with a busy claims team or lodging over a weekend.
A claim number is a useful administrative reference. It helps insurers track correspondence and speeds things along once the claim is active. But it is not a prerequisite for a credit hire company to begin its process.
Waiting for a claim number before calling a hire company means waiting 1–3 days for a piece of paper you don't actually need yet.
What you actually need to get started
Credit hire companies work with the information available at the time. You don't need a complete file on day one — you need enough to establish the basics of what happened and who was involved.
Here's what helps:
- The other driver's registration plate — this is the single most important piece of information
- The other driver's name — if you exchanged details at the scene
- The other driver's insurer — if they told you or it was on their paperwork
- A brief description of how the accident happened — a few sentences is plenty
- The date and location of the accident
In many cases, a registration plate alone is enough to start the process. From a plate, an insurer can be identified. From there, a claim can be initiated. The rest of the file is built as information comes in.
Why waiting for a claim number costs you time — and money
Every day without transport is a day you may be paying for alternatives out of pocket — taxis, ride-share, borrowed vehicles — costs that may not be recoverable. Or it's simply a day of lost mobility: missed work, cancelled appointments, inconvenience for your family.
You are not obliged to sit and wait. The process of obtaining a replacement vehicle can begin immediately after the accident, sometimes on the same day.
Credit hire companies like 888 Car Hire are set up to work with incomplete information. We gather what we can from you, cross-reference what's available, and get you into a vehicle. The paperwork catches up.
What if I don't have much information at all?
Even limited information is a starting point. If you only have a partial plate, a description of the other vehicle, or the name of a witness — call us. We can advise on what's possible based on what you have.
If the other driver fled the scene without exchanging details, the situation is more complex, but there may still be options. A police report, CCTV footage, or witness statements can form the basis of a claim. Describe your situation and we'll tell you honestly what we can do.
Step-by-step: what to do right after an accident
If you've just been in an accident and you're not sure where to start, here's a simple sequence:
- At the scene: Exchange details with the other driver — name, address, phone, registration, and insurer if possible. Take photos of the damage, both vehicles, the road, and any skid marks or signals. Get witness contact details if anyone stopped.
- As soon as possible: Call 888 Car Hire on 0423 022 881. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get a vehicle to you — often the same day.
- Within 24–48 hours: Lodge a notification with your own insurer, even if you're not making a claim through them. Most policies require timely notification of any accident regardless of fault.
- When you receive it: Note your claim number for reference. By this point, you should already have a hire car.
Don't let the absence of a claim number be the reason you're without transport. It isn't a gating requirement — it's just an administrative step that comes later.
If you've been in an accident that wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle with no upfront cost. Find out more at our not-at-fault car hire Melbourne page, or call us directly on 0423 022 881.