Ins and Outs of Rental Car Accidents

Driving a rental car can be a nice change of pace. You can sometimes opt for cars you have never driven before, like a sporty Camaro or Mustang. You may even get to be behind the wheel of a convertible or luxury vehicle.

However, there is something you need to be aware of: what you need to do in the event of an accident. Even if you are careful, it is possible to get into a crash. The vehicle isn’t yours, so what do you do?

You will typically follow the same steps as you would for an accident involving your own vehicle. However, there may be more paperwork involved, plus different coverages apply. There may be primary and secondary coverages involved. Primary insurance kicks in first if you file a claim. Some insurance policies provide complete coverage in any accident as long as you pay the premium. Secondary coverage may also apply and can pick up charges that your primary insurance policy doesn’t cover, such as reimbursing your deductible.

Insurance coverage may come through the rental company. They may offer liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage. If you cause an accident while driving a rental car, liability coverage kicks in. It covers medical expenses and property damage for others involved in the accident. Even if you already have personal car insurance, it may make sense to get liability coverage to make sure that you are fully covered.

People who already own a car should have their own car insurance. This may cover most of the issues covered by insurance through the rental car company. If you decline liability coverage from the rental company, you may need to provide proof of your personal insurance policy.

Collision damage waivers may also be available by the rental company. For an additional fee, the rental car company may offer a collision damage waiver, which waives the costs of vehicle repairs or replacement due to an accident or theft. You may not need a waiver if your personal car insurance policy covers loss or damages to the rental car.

Keep in mind that certain credit cards from Chase and Capital One also offer rental car insurance. Many travel credit cards offer secondary or even primary coverage. These may be good options if you travel frequently; however, annual fees may apply.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

 Getting into an accident while driving a rental car may seem like the end of the world. However, as long as you have proper insurance coverage, the process shouldn’t be too bad.

But you never know. The rental company may try to blame you or charge you extra fees. If you are experiencing issues, a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can handle your claim. We’ll let you focus on recovery. To schedule a free consultation with our office, fill out the online form or call 281-347-3247.

Source:

nerdwallet.com/article/travel/what-to-do-if-you-have-an-accident-in-a-rental-car