Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Car rental insurance. liability vs collision.

I am from the US and on my upcoming trip to Sydney, I am thinking about renting a car for a multi-day trip to Canberra & Blue Mountains.

I read various car rental threads, but am not clearly understanding the liability vs collision aspect.

1. The standard $2k-$3k liability, is it applicable even if I am NOT at fault?
2. If I am at fault, will my total liability be $2k-$3k and injury to any other injured party/property taken care by the standard insurance?
3. In the at fault case, will injury to self and passenger also be taken care of by the standard insurance?
4. If I sign up for excess reduction, will the reduced deductible apply to both NOT at fault and at fault case?
5. I have a VISA card that will cover collision/theft in AUS but not liability. So I am wondering if I decline excess reduction but am at fault, who would be responsible for damages to self/injured party/property?

TIA.

Welcome to FT :)


That's referred to as an "excess", and is generally applicable regardless of fault. (In some cases you can be refunded).
That's just about the limit of such liability.
yes, see answer to #5
The insurance covers most situations, "Excess reduction" reduces the amount you would need to pay.
Self/Injured party are covered in Australia by compulsory insurance packaged with the annual vehicle registration. As far as property goes, that's covered above.
If you are not at fault you do have the opportunity to pursue the "at fault" entity for recovery of your costs.

Also, beware of exclusions, like some will not provide cover for travel on non sealed roads.

If the OP has trip insurance, most offer rental car coverage fairly cheaply. The insurance carriers are happy to add on or increase coverages. Also, my auto insurance covers me worldwide and so does my umbrella policy if it's a really bad situation! I believe worldwide coverage is fairly common for US auto and umbrella policies but definitely check with your carrier(s).

If the OP has trip insurance, most offer rental car coverage fairly cheaply. The insurance carriers are happy to add on or increase coverages. Also, my auto insurance covers me worldwide and so does my umbrella policy if it's a really bad situation! I believe worldwide coverage is fairly common for US auto and umbrella policies but definitely check with your carrier(s).

I read quite a few of these policies and they all seem to cover collision/theft. Not at-fault situations.

Same for the coverage on my VISA card. So i am still confused. I think, if I decline excess reduction, VISA will cover me for other people fault/theft/vandalism etc. But I would be responsible for $2k-$3K excess if at fault.

Can someone please offer more info? Or links to TAs that will cover at-fault situations?

I read quite a few of these policies and they all seem to cover collision/theft. Not at-fault situations.

Same for the coverage on my VISA card. So i am still confused. I think, if I decline excess reduction, VISA will cover me for other people fault/theft/vandalism etc. But I would be responsible for $2k-$3K excess if at fault.

Can someone please offer more info? Or links to TAs that will cover at-fault situations?

The excess is the total amount you will pay, regardless of fault. If you are not at fault and the rental company's insurer can claim the money back through the at-fault drivers insurance then you may get the excess back.