What to Do After a Rental Car Accident

By the Mercury Team

Experiencing a collision is stressful enough when you’re driving your own vehicle. Having an accident in a rental car adds another layer of confusion because multiple parties may be involved. You have to consider the rental car company, your personal auto insurance provider, credit card companies, and the other drivers. This guide will walk you through the necessary actions to take following a collision

What Happens If You Crash a Rental Car?

The immediate aftermath of a rental car accident looks very similar to a standard collision, but the claims process is different. The exact steps and outcomes depend on several variables. These factors include:

Who’s at fault.
Whether anyone sustained injuries.
The specific terms of your rental agreement.

Your personal auto coverage, credit card benefits, and any supplemental coverage purchased from the rental company will also dictate your financial responsibility. You’ll likely need to coordinate with multiple parties to resolve the claim.

Who Pays After an Accident in a Rental Car?

Who pays after an accident in a rental car depends on several factors, including who caused the crash, what coverage you have, and what your rental agreement says.

Your personal auto insurance may extend to a rental car, depending on your policy, coverage limits, deductibles, how you use the vehicle, and where you’re driving it. For example, collision coverage may help pay for damage to the rental car after you pay your deductible. Supplemental policies you purchased at the rental counter might also waive certain out-of-pocket expenses.

What If You’re Not at Fault in a Rental Car Accident?

A not-at-fault accident rental car scenario still requires careful documentation. You should still follow all standard procedures to document the scene and gather information from the responsible driver.

You should also notify the rental car company as soon as possible. The company may have specific reporting steps in your rental agreement, even when you didn’t cause the crash.

Contact your insurance company, too. Your insurer can explain how your coverage may apply and may work with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to help resolve the claim.

Does Your Auto Insurance Cover a Rental Car Accident?

Your personal auto insurance may extend to a rental car, depending on your policy and how you use the vehicle. If you carry collision and comprehensive coverage on your own car, similar coverage may apply to a rental car.

It’s best to review your policy or contact your insurance company to understand what may or may not be covered before you decline the rental company’s supplemental coverage. You should also ask about coverage if you plan to rent a car outside the U.S., since international rentals may have different rules.

How Credit Card Rental Car Coverage May Apply

Many travel credit cards offer rental car protection as a complimentary perk. You must reserve and pay for the rental vehicle using the eligible card to activate this benefit.

Credit card protection generally acts as secondary coverage. It may reimburse you for deductibles or charges that your primary auto insurance declines to pay. Terms, exclusions, and claim requirements vary wildly between credit card issuers, so you should read the fine print before your trip.

How to Help Prevent a Rental Car Accident

Driving an unfamiliar vehicle in a new city increases your risk of an accident. You can take proactive steps to stay safe on the road.

Get familiar with the rental car before driving away from the lot.
Adjust your mirrors, seats, and steering wheel to ensure maximum visibility and comfort.
Review local traffic laws if you’re visiting a different state or country.
Avoid distracted driving, like using your phone or eating.
Plan your route and set your GPS before leaving your parking spot.
Drive cautiously in unfamiliar areas and allow extra following distance.

Review Your Coverage Before You Rent

Understanding your policy before you travel gives you peace of mind on the road. You should review your coverages and limits to ensure you’re adequately protected against unexpected events

Your safety and financial well-being depend on having reliable coverage. Mercury Insurance offers personalized auto policies backed by exceptional service to keep you protected on the road.

What to Do Immediately After a Rental Car Accident

Safety and proper documentation should remain your top priorities following a collision. You should treat the situation like an accident in your own vehicle, but with an additional step.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Move to Safety

Safety always comes first, so be sure to follow these steps:

Check yourself, your passengers, and the occupants of the other vehicles for injuries.
Move your vehicle to the shoulder or a safe location if the car remains drivable.
Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt or if the vehicles are creating a dangerous hazard on the roadway.

Step 2: Call the Police and File a Report

Contact law enforcement so there’s an official record of the crash. The rental car company or your insurance provider will likely require a police report to process your claim. You should ask the responding officers for their names, badge numbers, and the report number for your records.

Step 3: Exchange Information and Document the Scene

You need to gather as much information as possible before leaving the scene. Exchange names, phone numbers, driver’s license details, and auto insurance information with all other drivers involved. You should also record the license plate numbers, vehicle makes and models, and your rental agreement details.

Take clear photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any relevant road signs or conditions. You should collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the collision happen.

Step 4: Contact the Rental Car Company

Report the accident to the rental car company as soon as possible. You can usually find an emergency contact number inside the glove compartment or on your rental agreement. Representatives will provide instructions on how to proceed, which may include filling out an incident report or arranging a tow truck.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company

You should contact your auto insurer to report the collision. Agents can help you understand your policy limits and determine what expenses might be covered. They will also guide you through the process of filing a claim and explain how your specific deductibles apply to the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at these frequently asked questions regarding rental car accidents.

Do I need to buy rental car Insurance if I already have auto insurance?

It depends on your personal policy, coverage limits, and deductibles. The location of your rental and how you plan to use the vehicle also matter. You should contact your insurer to review your coverages before standing at the rental counter.

Will a rental car accident affect my personal insurance rates?

It may affect your premium, depending on who’s at fault and the specific details of the claim. Policy terms and state regulations dictate how accidents impact future insurance costs.

Can I keep driving the rental car after an accident?

You should ask the rental car company for permission before continuing to drive the vehicle. You must ensure the car is completely safe to operate, even if the damage seems minor. The rental company may require you to exchange the damaged vehicle for a new one.

Mercury Team

The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations, Social Media and Journalism. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.