Are courtesy cars worth it?

Are courtesy cars worth it in Australia depends on how much you rely on your car and what cover you have. For most drivers who depend on their car for commuting to work, school drop-offs or caring duties, a courtesy car is definitely worth it because being without a car for 1 to 4 weeks while your car is repaired after an accident or theft can cost $50 to $120 per day in rental fees, plus taxis and inconvenience, totalling $500 to $2,000. Having courtesy car cover included in your comprehensive insurance for $50 to $100 extra per year for optional hire car cover, or included as standard in policies like NRMA, Allianz and AAMI for not-at-fault accidents and theft, provides peace of mind and saves significant money if you have a claim. For repairer-provided free courtesy cars, they are worth it because they are free, you only pay for fuel, though they are often older small hatches with limited availability and you are liable for $1,500 to $3,000 excess if you damage them. For premium roadside assistance, the hire car benefit after breakdown more than 100km from home is worth it if you travel regionally. However, courtesy cars may not be worth it if you have access to a second car in household, work from home, live close to public transport, or rarely drive, because you can manage without a car for a short period and save the extra premium. Also, hire cars have high excess of $2,000 to $4,500 and you need credit card bond, which can be inconvenient. Overall, for most Australian families, optional hire car cover is worth the small extra cost.