What to do if you have an accident with a rental car
Any kind of road mishap is not a pretty picture especially when you are far away from home. Whether it is a a minor fender bender or a total wreck, the process of making a claim basically follows the same procedure. Here are some tips to remember when a road trip with a car rental goes bad:
Emergency Kit
Before heading off to your destination, make sure you have some basic stuff that may come handy in case you encounter an accident. Pack an emergency kit with basic first aid supplies and contact numbers. It will also be practical to bring a pen, your cellphone and digital camera, and the basic warning triangles.
Safety first
After an accident, your top priority will be safety. If you do not have serious injuries and only involved in a minor accident, you can move your vehicle to the side to avoid oncoming traffic. It is not safe to leave the cars in the middle of the road since it may be hazardous to other people. If moving the cars is not an option, stay in your car and still wear your seat belt until help gets to the scene. Turn on your hazard lights or make use of flares or warning triangles as necessary.
Notifying authorities
When you are involve in car accident, the first thing to do is contact the local police so an accident report can be accomplished. This is the usual protocol so the details of the accident is documented. The accident report will also be useful for insurance companies. Take note of all the necessary information of the other driver like driver's license and plate numbers.
Insurance coverage
After dealing with the accident report, you can contact your insurance company or the car rental company which can assist you. Depending on your agreement, the car rental company may send another vehicle which you can use for your journey. In case the accident happens after business hours, you may call their 24x7 toll free help center or forward your claims over the internet if possible.
It will also be very useful if you know the details of your car rental insurance coverage. Do not wait for an accident to happen before knowing the ins and outs of your car rental coverage. Also inquire if you can avail of a tow truck service or road assistance in case of a road mishap.
Stolen rental vehicle
In case the rental car gets stolen, call the local police to report the incident. Coordinate with the nearest office of the car rental firm. The rental company will review your agreement and give you instructions on what to do.
What matters most when driving a rental car, make sure you do not violate your terms of agreement. Never drive drunk or under the influence of controlled substance. Also do not allow unauthorized drivers to get behind the wheels of the rented vehicle. When you violate the car rental contract, your waivers or coverages will be void.