The last thing you want when you’re on vacation is getting into an accident in your rental car. But mishaps happen, and when they do, you should know how to handle the situation. Here are the steps to take immediately after an accident.
Move Everyone to Safety
The first thing you should do after a car accident is to move yourself and your companions away from traffic and to a safer area. However, avoid moving a person who is injured and in pain. You never know where their injuries are, so it’s safer to let health professionals move them out of harm’s way.
Call 911 immediately if someone is hurt, then call the police to report the accident. If you’re going to another country, figure out the local emergency contact numbers before jetting off.
Exchange Details and Gather Evidence
After checking up on everyone, exchange insurance and contact details with the other party involved. This applies to vehicle collisions or property damage. If you hit a parked car, leave a note with all your details so they can contact you later. In addition, take pictures of the scene, including the damage, and take note of the following information:
● Model, make, and color of the vehicles involved in the accident;
● Time and date of the accident;
● The state of the road and weather conditions at the time of the accident;
● Damage to vehicles or property and injuries sustained by drivers, passengers, or pedestrians.
Contact the Car Rental Company
Call the car rental company’s number, which you should find in the rental agreement. Explain the situation and discuss arrangements with them. Most car rental companies provide only minimal insurance coverage, but your own auto insurance policy likely covers a rental car as long as you are using it for personal purposes. If you have collision or comprehensive insurance coverage, you don’t have to worry if the rental car gets damaged, totaled, or stolen. Your insurance provider will take care of the expenses if the rental car is similar in value to your vehicle. If you cause property damage or injury to others, your auto insurance’s liability coverage will pay for repairs and hospital bills. If you have a deductible, it will apply if you file a claim for the rental car.
If you’re renting a luxury vehicle that your auto insurance doesn’t cover, you can buy a loss-damage waiver (LDW) from the car rental company. With an LDW, you’re not financially responsible if you lose or damage the rental car. All you have to do is adhere to the rental agreement.
Before borrowing a rental car, talk to your auto insurance provider and confirm that your policy covers rental cars. If not, consider purchasing an LDW or using your credit card’s coverage. Many credit cards provide rental car insurance, which can be helpful if you’re overseas and outside your auto insurance policy’s coverage.
Without your own auto insurance, you might have to cover a significant portion of the repair expenses yourself.
The Bottom Line
No one wants to prepare for a rental car accident that may not even happen. But doing so can help salvage your vacation and save you a lot of stress. Before taking out a rental car, make sure you have protection against financial loss. For more information, contact Friedman Law Offices at +1 800-876-1093.