NSW Car share company (TURO) threatening to send me to collections for being hit by a third party car.

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J4ke

Member
30 November 2024
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Hi there:

I hired a TURO car (car share company) for one day in October 2024. I got the minimum cover plan they offer which is a AU$1,500.00 excess. I had a small accident during my rental period where a girl driving an Hyundai iLoad hit me at the driver’s rear panel, close to the rear wheel. The damage caused a big yet shallow cosmetic dent. I took photos of the damages in both cars and was able to grab the rego of the car she was driving and took a photo of her driving licence. I immediately called the owner of the car to notify what had happened and got in contact with TURO to report the incident. I filled out an accident report in their app. I also shared the driving licence of the girl who hit me and the rego of the van she was driving. After I explained what happened in detail by replying to an email they sent, two days later they asked me to pay $500.00 claiming I was responsible for the car while renting it as they state in their T&C’s. They mentioned that they were going to investigate the matter and if the damages where to be less than $500 to fix they were going to reimburse me the remaining. After a month of waiting they finally reached out stating that the repairs for the van I hired were more than $1,500, therefore I had to pay $1000.00 within 24 hours threatening to send me to collections if I was not to pay even if I was not at fault of the accident. I asked the outcome of the insurance companies and they said that “sometimes it is difficult to contact the third party’s insurance”. They also said that regardless the outcome I have to pay that money and it won’t be reimbursed in any case. I have asked if the period of time to pay can be extended I order for me to find out if I can get some legal advice (I obviously didn’t mention the reason for it) and they can only arrange a payment plan. Is there anything I can do?
 

Tim W

Lawyer
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
28 April 2014
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Sydney
Hard to say without seeing the contract (no, don't post it here).

But, speaking typically, and expressly not referring to your specific case,
the agreement to pay that money is a term (a "T&C") of the contract
between you ("the hirer", or in the language of Turo, "the guest") and
the body you rented the vehicle from ("the provider")
(the insurance arrangements between Turo and the host and have nothing to do with you).

Perhaps you signed up for insurance via Turo Mutual (their own insurer).
Have a look have a look here for details.