Protect Yourself and Your Family If You Crash a Rental Car Without Insurance
A rental car may be a lifesaver if you are on vacation or traveling for business. However, it is essential to know that if you are involved in a collision while driving the car, you could be on the hook for paying damages.
Having the right insurance coverage can help protect you from financial liability if you crash a rental car. A comprehensive collision insurance policy will protect you from hefty repair bills, even if you were not at fault for the accident.
The best way to prepare for a potential rental car crash is to ensure that you have the right insurance coverage at all times. If you do crash a rental car, here are some tips on how to protect yourself and your family:
1- Exchange Contact Details
If you were involved in an accident while driving a rental car, remain at the scene of the collision as soon as possible. This will allow you to get the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance company name, and policy number. This will also make it easier for you to file an insurance claim in the future.
2- Document the Crash
To help you protect your future insurance claim, it is essential to document the scene of the collision with lots of photos and notes. You should also take note of the other driver’s details, such as their license number and vehicle registration number.
3-Identify the Damages
It is essential to document the scene of the collision so that you can identify all of the damages. This will help you determine whether the other driver’s insurance covers the damage and how much it costs to repair.
4-Report the Accident
If the accident was your fault, you must report the crash to the police. The police will create an accident report allowing you to file an insurance claim.
5-Contact Your Insurance or Credit Card Companies
Depending on your auto insurance policy, you may be able to cover the cost of the rental car from your own insurance company. It is essential to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible so they can begin processing the claim and pay you for the charges incurred from the crash.
6-Confirm Your Rental Reimbursement Coverage
If you have rental reimbursement coverage, this will help cover the costs of a rental car for the period that your insurance is in effect. This is usually for 30 days.
7- Ask About Loss of Use Fees
Typically, if you cause a collision that causes the rental car to be out of commission, it will cost the company money for the time it is not in service. This is called a loss of use fee, and if you have collision or comprehensive coverage, it will likely be covered.