5 steps to follow if you get into an accident in a rental

In the unfortunate event of an accident in your rental car, following these steps can be helpful:

• Check that everyone involved is okay
• Move your car
• Document the damage

Even the most competent drivers may find themselves involved in an accident, so it’s always good to prepare for the unexpected. In the unfortunate event of an accident in your rental car, knowing what to do can help yourself and others involved feel more reassured. More importantly – it can keep you safe from further incidents. From fender benders to more serious collisions, this step-by-step guide will help you resolve the situation with confidence and care.

Step 1: Check that everyone involved is okay

Once you’re out of harm’s way, you should check on the people affected by the accident. Assess any injuries as best as you can. If anything looks serious, you should contact emergency services immediately. If someone is in a lot of pain and you suspect a fracture or spinal injury, avoid moving them as this could potentially worsen their condition. Before you set off on your journey, it’s worth noting down the local emergency numbers for any country you’re visiting. In an emergency, you can call 911 in most of North America or 112, the freephone international emergency number, in all EU member states and several other places.

Step 2: Move your car

Move your car to a safe place to avoid any collisions with passing traffic. As soon as you’ve come to a stop, turn your hazard lights on and switch the engine off. It’s easier said than done, but you should try your best not to panic. Keeping calm will help you to make rational decisions, communicate clearly and reduce the emotional impact of the accident on anyone else involved. If you’re unable to move the vehicle off the road and it’s in a safe condition, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened and turn your hazard lights on to alert other drivers.

Exception

Do not move the car if anyone involved has sustained a serious injury, is unable to move, or if the law enforcement on the scene instructs you to leave the vehicle in place.

Step 3: Document the damage

Take clear photos of the damage to all vehicles involved, the overall accident scene, and any road or weather conditions that may have played a role. Make sure to record vehicle information such as make, model, and license plate number of all other cars involved. Speak to witnesses and collect their names and contact details in case further statements are needed. Request a copy of any incident reports from responding law enforcement for your records.

Step 4: Swap details and document what happened

If you’re involved in a collision with another vehicle, the next thing to do is swap details with the other driver – even if there’s only minor damage to the cars. The same should apply if you’ve collided with someone’s property.

Make sure you exchange the following information before you leave the scene of the incident:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number/email address
• Insurance details
• Vehicle registration number

Get the names and contact information of any other witnesses, as they could prove useful for insurance claims. If you’ve hit a parked car, leave your details in a note under their windshield wiper.

It’s also worth taking photos of the entire scene to support any claims, including vehicle damage, license plate numbers and the surrounding area. Additionally, you should note down the time, date, injuries sustained by everyone involved and the weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Step 5: Inform the rental company about the accident

Once you’ve finished exchanging details and documenting the accident, it’s time to let the rental company know what’s happened. Their number will be on your rental agreement or displayed somewhere inside the car, like the glove box. You can also find it on the company’s website.

Clearly explain the situation to them and listen carefully to their instructions. They will help you arrange recovery and repairs, and even give you a replacement rental car if required. You’ll most likely need to fill out an incident report for them, which is where the information you’ve collected in the previous steps will come in handy. They should also deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. However, if you’ve used an independent insurance company to cover your rental, you’ll need to contact them yourself.

Car rental accident: What happens if you weren’t driving

Even with the best planning, accidents happen. Understanding who is responsible for a rental car's damage is the difference between a minor inconvenience and an unexpected bill.

1. What if the rental car accident wasn't my fault?

If you are involved in an accident and another driver is found to be 100% at fault, your personal financial exposure for the damage to the rental car should ultimately be zero. However, the immediate process can be complex.

2. What if I wasn't driving the rental car?

This is a critical situation where one mistake—allowing an unauthorized driver to take the wheel—can void your entire rental contract and all insurance coverage, leaving you personally liable for damages.

Do not allow anyone to drive the rental car unless they are explicitly listed as an “ Additional Authorized Driver” on the rental agreement. The fee is minimal compared to the financial risk of an accident with an unauthorized driver.

Check your insurance coverage

As if having an accident isn’t already stressful enough, you may also have concerns over financial liability and who should pay for what. The good thing about rental car insurance is that it will provide you with financial protection and help you settle claims and legal expenses if an accident occurs.

Let’s dive into what a basic insurance package usually includes:

Collision Damage Waiver

In the event of a collision, a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) will cover some or all of the financial liability for damage to the rental car. However, it’s important to note that this only covers the bodywork and excludes damage to more vulnerable parts of the vehicle like the undercarriage, roof, tires, windshield, etc. To cover these, you’ll need to pay something called a deductible, which the rental company will often take out of the deposit you left when you picked the car up.

Theft Protection

This will help to cover the cost of a new car if your rental vehicle is stolen, but will also require you to pay a deductible.

Third-party Liability

This covers any damage you’ve inadvertently caused to someone’s property, or an injury they’ve sustained as a result of the accident.