What To Do If You Get Into An Accident While Renting A Car

Getting into a car accident can be a scary experience. It can be even more difficult for you to deal with a car accident if you are in a rental car. Handling a car accident in a rental car is similar to dealing with any other type of car accident. However, there are a few things that you will need to do differently.

Make Sure That Everyone is Okay

The first thing that you will need to do if you are involved in any type of accident is to make sure that everyone is okay. Emergency medical services should be called immediately if anyone is hurt. Set up emergency flares in order to let everyone know that there has been an accident.

Call the Police

You will need to obtain a police report in order to file an insurance claim. Call the police and stay there until they complete the police report.

Exchange Contact Information

As soon as you have determined that everyone is okay, you will need to exchange contact information with the other people involved. Do not tell anyone that you are driving a rental car. Some people will take advantage of that situation.

Call the Rental Car Company

You will need to contact the rental car company and report the accident. You will find your rental company’s contact information in the paperwork that they gave you. It may also be found in the glove box.

Contact Your Car Insurance

You will need to let your car insurance company know about the accident. Let them know about all of the details of the accident. If you have comprehensive or collision insurance, then it will cover the accident.

Make sure that you ask about the deductible. A deductible is what you will have to pay out-of-pocket before insurance. For example, the car accident does $10,000 in damage. You have a deductible of $1,000. You will have to pay $1,000 before your insurance pays the remaining $9,000.

However, if you purchased rental insurance from the rental car company, then you may not have to use your own auto insurance. Make sure you read all of the fine print.

Most car accidents are caused by driver error. Negligence is one of the things that can lead to driver error. That is why you may be able to get compensated if you have been involved in a car accident. You can call BANA LAW if you need an attorney.