When driving a rental car, people are a little more cautious because the costs of any damage will have to be paid right away. Even if you obtain extra insurance coverage, you’ll be faced with a deductible that you may have to pay out of pocket. There’s also a different process to follow after the accident, so it’s necessary to familiarize yourself with these steps ahead of time. The following guide will help you prepare yourself in the event you do have an accident with your rental car.
What To Do Immediately After an Accident
For the most part, you should respond to an accident with your rental car just as you would do with your own car. That means starting by checking on everyone else involved in the accident to assess their injuries. You should also look for the nearest intersection to help you give the 911 dispatcher more accurate information when you call for help.
After the call, try to get the names and contact information for the drivers, passengers and witnesses to the accident. This is also a good time to collect insurance information from any other drivers involved [source].
Collect Evidence
While you’re waiting for the police or ambulance to arrive, use that time to collect evidence that will help you prove your claim. By using your cell phone to take pictures of the scene, including taking pictures of the damages to the vehicles, you can help your rental car service and their insurer establish the other driver’s fault.
As you talk to the other driver, avoid discussing the details of the accident. It’s natural to admit some fault in an accident, but in doing so, you can make it harder for your lawyer to obtain a favorable outcome in your claim.
Contact the Rental Car Service
You should look at your lease agreement or check the vehicle’s glove box for an emergency phone number, which you’re required to call after having an accident. The rental company will want you to report the accident to them as soon as possible, but wait until you have collected the previously mentioned information.
The reason for this is that you’ll be required to supply the rental company with that information in filing the report. They have their own report that must be filled out after an accident, and you can help this process by having this information available during the call.
Contact Your Credit Card Company
You’re required to use a credit card to reserve your car rental, but you can pay with cash. Even though that may seem preferable, it’s better to charge the rental on your card and save the cash for your credit card bill. This is because credit card companies offer liability coverage for rental cars and, if you are in an accident, they will provide secondary coverage [source].
This will usually be enough to cover any deductible the car rental company would otherwise charge you. Coverage varies among the credit card companies, so it’s important to find out what terms they offer in advance. Using your credit card for a car rental can help you save considerably, even when the accident wasn’t your fault.
Contact Your Own Insurance Company
You should also contact your own insurance company to see if they will cover your claim. In doing so, you should already have obtained a medical evaluation to determine if you`ll need to seek damages for injuries. This is information your insurer will need in addition to the information you collected at the scene of the accident. Be sure to inform your insurer that you were driving a rental car and that the rental company also insured the vehicle.
Before you rent a car, be sure to read the rental agreement carefully. You should also call your credit card company to determine what protections they will provide in an accident. Following these steps can help you understand the full range of coverage you have while you’re driving a rental car. Even though accidents are rare, preparing yourself in advance can save you money, stress and time in dealing with the aftermath of an accident.
