You are just about to hit the road and go on a lifetime road trip with your friends or family. You are excited and can’t wait to experience our great country as it was meant to be experienced – on the open road. Even better, you have an amazing rental car and a rocking playlist of your all-time favorites.
You step out, rev the engine, and off you go. Unfortunately, there is also the possibility of being involved in a car accident. When the unfortunate happens, the only question on your mind is, “who is responsible for the damages?” Is it you, the at-fault driver, or the car rental company?
To help you find correct answers to your questions, you must determine two critical things; who is at fault for the accident and the level of rental car insurance you’ve got.
Read on to learn more about liability in auto accidents involving a rental car and how to solve the matter.
What Should I Do Following an Accident Involving a Rental Car?
Being involved in a car accident while driving a rented car isn’t different from being involved in a crash while driving your own vehicle.
Typically, the first step you need to take following the accident is to ensure everyone is safe. From there, call 911 if someone is injured or if the police are needed to file a report.
Get the names and contact information of everyone involved in the accident, including passengers, drivers, and witnesses, and gather as much evidence as possible. This includes taking photos of the damages to all vehicles, the scene of the accident, and any injuries.
The next step is to contact your rental car company. You need to call the rental car company as the car is not yours and some more paperwork is required to be filled out. Also, ask the company how to proceed as, depending on the company.
Following that, you must contact your insurance provider and let them know about the accident.
At this point, cooperation is vital. You should give a detailed account of what happened to your insurance company and the rental car company. Remember not to take the blame for the accident as it could result in you being held liable even if you’re not at fault.
What Are the Potential Outcomes of an Accident Involving a Rental Car?
There are three possible outcomes of an accident involving a rental car;
The first outcome is that you are found to be at fault for the accident and must pay for all the damages. This includes any damage done to the rental car, other vehicles involved, injuries, and repairs. You will also have to pay any fees associated with towing or impounding the rental car.
The second outcome is that you are not at fault for the accident and the other driver’s insurance company pays for all the damages. In this case, you may have to pay a deductible, but your rental car company should reimburse you for that amount.
The third outcome is that you are not at fault for the accident, but the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. In this case, your own insurance company should cover your damages.
As you can see, it is critical to know who is liable for an accident involving a rental car. By understanding this, you can protect yourself from being held liable for the crash and getting into a situation where you must pay out of pocket.
What About Rental Car Insurance?
“Which insurance coverage would you like?” Anyone who has ever rented a car must have been asked this question several times by rental car agents. While most of us tend to ignore it, it may be worth revisiting, especially if you aren’t sure about what your current policy covers or if it has significant exclusions such as business use and long-term rentals.
Some of the common types of car insurance policies that rental companies offer include liability insurance, collision coverage, personal injury protection, and many more. While these policies may cost you a lot of money, they are definitely worth it because they’ll come in handy when the unexpected happens.
Your credit card company may also provide you with some form of rental car insurance protection, but each policy is unique. Therefore, you will need to check with your individual carrier to figure out what is covered and isn’t covered under your policy.
If you aren’t sure about the type of insurance policy you have from your auto insurance company, rental company, or credit card company, be sure to seek help from an experienced car accident attorney.
What Does an Insurance Policy Cover for a Rental Car?
An insurance policy for a rental car should, at a minimum, cover liability in the event that you cause an accident and injure someone or damage property.
The amount of coverage may vary depending on your insurer, but it’s typically around $10,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage.
Some policies will also cover collision and comprehensive coverage for the rental car. This means that if your rental car is damaged in an accident or stolen, your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of repairs or replacement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle.
The amount of coverage will depend on your insurer, but it’s typically around $30,000 to $50,000.
Finally, some insurance policies will also cover personal injury protection (PIP). This coverage can help pay for medical expenses and lost wages if you are injured in a car accident while driving your rental car.
What Should I Do Before Renting a Car?
There are a few things you should do before renting a car to make sure you are fully protected in the event of an accident:
- Check your auto insurance policy to see what types of coverage extend to rental cars.
- Consider purchasing a separate policy from the rental company if your current policy has significant exclusions or limits.
- Check with your credit card company to see what type of rental car insurance coverage they provide.
- Get quotes from different companies to compare rates and coverage options.
- Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the policy before purchasing it.
Summary
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself financially in the event of an accident with a rental car.
If you are ever involved in an accident while driving a rental car, be sure to contact an experienced attorney right away.
Your lawyer can help you navigate the complex world of insurance claims and legal proceedings and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
