Today I am pleased to highlight a fantastic guest post by travel writer and blogger Ben Reed. Ben is an Orlando-based Travel Blogger that will try (almost) anything once. His travel blog Adventures with Ben encourages readers to do the same as they learn how to plan, explore and enjoy some of the world’s top destinations. Ben also hosts a weekly podcast about Florida Travel & Tourism called Florida Travel Cocktail. And for the record, he planned his “Epic Trip to Australia” way before Oprah did. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
1. Automatic Breathalyzers
When an accident happens in the Northern Territory, regardless of perceived intoxication, both parties will need to take a breathalyzer. The blood alcohol limit in the Northern Territory (and much of Australia) is .05 (the U.S. by comparison is .08). With a much stricter limit, don’t take any chances drinking (even one drink) before driving.
2. Hurt Someone; You’re Going to Jail
“If you’re the driver-at-fault in an accident and someone needs to be transported to the hospital, you could spend the night in jail”, said the officer to me while we were processing paperwork. Yikes! Drive carefully. Spending your vacation in jail is miserable. Injuring someone else – even worse.
3. Pay Your Ticket in the Territory You Received It
You’ll have 21 days to pay your ticket (if you received one). You can pay it at the local post office, but you have to pay it in the same territory you received it. Fly to another territory and you’re looking at another, needless hassle. And if you don’t pay… a warrant with your name on it will be waiting for you on your next return. Don’t be a fugitive, pay your ticket. Australia is too wonderful of a country to only visit once.
4. Read Your Contract Carefully
There was a discrepancy between what was entered into the computer and what was signed on my contract. I narrowly avoided a $3600 damage fee (see tip #5) because I read my contract. At the end of the day, the contract prevails. If you change something after the contract has been signed, ask for an updated copy. Make sure you understand the contract fully.
5. Don’t Take a Chance, Buy the Excess Reduction
If your vehicle is damaged in Australia, regardless of fault, you may have to pay upwards of $4,000 in repair costs; called an Excess Reduction. You can avoid this by paying an additional $30/day on your rate to bring that bill down to $400 (depending on the company). Your trip to Australia is expensive enough, don’t double it’s costs needlessly. Buy the excess reduction for peace of mind, or see tip #6. Accidents are called accidents for a reason.
6. Check With Your Insurance Company Before You Depart
Cell phone strength isn’t great in the Outback. Don’t add additional stress to your day. Call your automobile insurance company before you leave and find out what, if anything, they cover. You may get lucky and get reimbursed for that excess reduction that you foolishly decided not to pay. Not covered? See tip #7.
7. Check With Your Credit Card Company Too
Your credit card company may offer additional protection that your insurance company doesn’t. Yes, that means that you may be able to recoup some of your losses, but it will come with a lot of paperwork. Be sure to get as much documentation as possible from the police offer, car rental company and your own insurance provider.
Whether you’re cruising through the Outback or meandering along the Great Ocean Road, driving is the best way to explore Australia. Don’t let my accident deter you from renting your own car. Accidents happen, but with proper planning beforehand you’ll be able to quickly get back on schedule with limited financial losses.
Happy Driving!
Ben is an Orlando-based Travel Blogger that will try (almost) anything once. His travel blog 
Who am I? I am a typical Gen-Xer and recovering cubicle-dweller who has a passion for all things travel. My site brings a unique perspective that is hard to find online. I am not a backpacker, nor am I...
Good advice, Ben. Accidents aren’t something we like to think about, but it’s so important to be prepared. Good point about checking if your credit card company can offer additional coverage. Glad that you weren’t hurt in the accident, by the way.
[Reply]
adventureswithben Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Thanks Cathy,
As part of the benefits credit cards offer their users, they contract with outside companies to provide extra coverage. Check your statement or online for the features.
[Reply]
Excellent advice and very interesting about the breathalyzers. I hate reading all the contractual stuff, but it really is important especially when renting a car and driving in another country.
[Reply]
adventureswithben Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Ya, I didn’t know about the Breathalyzers either till the officer came over. Fortunately I only had water for lunch!
[Reply]
Great tips! It is always to know in advance what the rules of the country are. That’s kind of scary that they could put you in jail if someone was hurt in the accident. Yikes!
Sorry about the accident. It is a hard to deal with here in the US but I can’t imagine dealing with it in a foreign country.
[Reply]
Some great tips Ben – glad the accident was too bad!
[Reply]
adventureswithben Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
A second sooner and I would have been hit directly. Phew!
[Reply]
Yikes, that excess reduction fee is huge! Our credit card has awesome insurance coverage on all our purchases, which came in handy when someone hit our rental car in the U.S. Credit cards coverage isn’t well known, but it’s awesome!
[Reply]
adventureswithben Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
I wasn’t aware of my credit card coverage until my partner told me about it. Thank goodness.
[Reply]
At least we can learn from your mistakes
[Reply]
adventureswithben Reply:
June 30th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Glad I could be good for something. Hahaha
[Reply]
Accidents are no fun. But this was on Day 1 of a 3-week trip. Talk about a big downer. I was better by Day 3 after I left the Northern Territory. All was forgotten.
[Reply]
Glad you are ok. what a lesson!
[Reply]
adventureswithben Reply:
July 2nd, 2011 at 9:50 am
An expensive lesson for sure. Out almost $500, but better than $4000!
[Reply]
Great info, Ben. Did you hit a kangaroo?
I’d just like to add as an outback resident that ‘cell’ phone coverage is non-existent in most of the outback – even along the main highways. Don’t rely on it in the outback. Ever.
And what Ben says about car rental in the NT (Northern Territory) is true. There are a lot of hidden costs – like a ‘Premium Location Surcharge’, and also restrictions on driving after sunset that will void your insurance and make you completely liable for the entire cost of the vehicle if you have an accident.
The lesson is to research your rental company carefully and read the fine print.
Having said that, I’m really glad to see that you didn’t do what a lot of tourists do when they come to the NT and want to drive from Alice Springs to Uluru… needlessly hire a big, thirsty 4WD.
[Reply]