New to car subscriptions? Ask us anything. Our local Switchcars team will explain how it works and help you decide if it’s right for you.
A car subscription is for people who need a car now, but want to keep their options open. Whether life is changing or you simply prefer less commitment, it gives you access to a car without taking on long-term finance or having to sell it later.
It could suit you if you’re:
Keeping your plans open — you need a car for the coming months, but aren’t sure what’s next.
Waiting for your next car — you need something to drive while yours is on order or you decide what to buy.
Needing an extra family car — a new job, different schedules or changing routines mean one car is no longer enough.
Settling into Perth — you want to get moving before making a longer-term decision.
Managing changing business needs — you need transport for staff or a project without committing to a permanent fleet.
Flexibility: Get a car for the life you’re living now, without committing to years of ownership or finance. Choose a plan with a minimum term that suits you, then continue for as long as you need or arrange your return with the required notice.
Convenience: Registration, insurance, scheduled servicing and roadside assistance are included. We take care of the essentials, so you have less to organise.
Predictable costs: One regular subscription payment makes budgeting simpler, without a large purchase price upfront or the uncertainty of what your car will be worth when it’s time to sell.
Your Switchcars subscription brings the essentials together in one simple weekly payment:
Your chosen car
Vehicle registration
Comprehensive insurance (excess and conditions apply)
Scheduled servicing and maintenance
Roadside assistance
Your plan’s kilometre allowance
Support from our local Switchcars team
You cover fuel and everyday costs such as parking. Additional charges may apply for extras, excess kilometres or damage.
Getting started is simple:
Choose your car and plan. Browse our available vehicles and select a subscription that suits your needs.
Apply online. Complete our quick application—there’s no credit check.
We’ll get in touch. Our local team will confirm availability, talk you through the details and arrange your payments and collection.
Collect your car. Once approved and everything is finalised, you’re ready to drive away.
We have a premises in Welshpool, WA where you can collect your vehicle during our business hours (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday), or after hours if specific arrangements with a team member have been made. You’ll need to bring your driver’s licence to confirm your identity.
Only nominated drivers can drive your Switchcar.
If you’d like to add more drivers to your subscription it’s just $10/week per driver as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
To be eligible for a SwitchCar, all drivers must:
Additional individual criteria may apply.
Simply contact our team to give at least 21 days’ notice and arrange your vehicle return. You can end your subscription once your plan’s minimum term has been completed.
Our standard plans have minimum terms of 60, 90 or 120 days. For those who want to special-order a brand-new vehicle and be its first and only driver, we also offer 12, 18 and 24-month options.
If you return your car before your minimum term ends, you’ll still need to pay the subscription fees for the remainder of that term.
Unsure when your minimum term ends? Give our team a call and we’ll talk you through your options.
A minimum refundable deposit of $750 per vehicle is required. A higher deposit may apply for special-order vehicles or based on your individual application and affordability assessment.
We’ll confirm your deposit amount before you proceed. At the end of your subscription, your deposit will be refunded, less any outstanding payments or applicable charges.
Subscription payments are collected automatically from your nominated credit or debit card, with no card surcharge.
Your initial deposit must also be paid by card and any deposit refund will be returned to the same card used for its initial payment.
Direct debit via BSB and account number may be available for businesses or, by arrangement, for individuals. Contact our team if you’d like to discuss this option.
Your subscription includes comprehensive insurance covering damage to your Switchcars vehicle and damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property.
If you’re involved in an accident, the excess is payable immediately:
Drivers aged 25 and over: $2,000
Drivers under 25: $3,000
If you’re not at fault and the other party’s insurer accepts liability, we’ll refund your excess once the claim is approved.
If the repair cost is less than your excess, we’ll obtain a formal repair quote, deduct the repair cost and refund the remaining balance.
Accidents can be stressful, but you won’t have to work through the process alone. Our local team will guide you through the next steps. Visit our insurance and claims page for full details of what’s covered, what’s excluded and how to report an incident.
Your subscription includes a kilometre allowance that resets each billing cycle. If you drive over your allowance, additional kilometres are charged at 10¢, 25¢ or 30¢ per kilometre, depending on your selected plan, and added to your next bill.
Expecting to drive a little further? Have a chat with our team about adding an extra kilometre package to suit your needs.
Yes! If you’re heading away or won’t need your car for a little while, you can pause your subscription for up to three weeks, once every six months, for a $150 pause fee.
During the pause, your car must be returned to Switchcars, clean and with a full tank of fuel. The time paused will be added to the end of your minimum term.
Just let our team know in advance, and we’ll help organise your return and when you’re ready to get back on the road.
No! We don’t run credit checks, and applying won’t leave an enquiry on your credit file.
Instead, we’ll send you a link to securely submit a 90-day bank statement through our secure portal. This helps us check that the subscription payments fit comfortably within your budget, so you’re not taking on more than you can manage.
You’ll also need to meet our driver eligibility criteria. If you have any questions about the process, our local team is happy to help.
