Accidents happen, even in rental cars. If you're unsure of what to do when you damage a rental car around Doylestown, Langhorne, or Boyertown, Pennsylvania, the Autorent team can help.
We've put together this information to help drivers learn more about what happens when you damage a rental vehicle. Read on to learn more.
When you pick up your rental car, you'll be presented with insurance options. These are not required but can provide additional protection, if something happens to the car during the rental period.
The most common type of rental insurance is a loss damage or collision damage waiver. This waiver may ensure that you are not financially responsible for any damage to the vehicle.
Often, your personal auto insurance policy can carry over to a rental car and covers liability for injuries and damage to the rental vehicle. You should confirm this with your insurance carrier before renting a vehicle.
If you are in an accident with your rental vehicle, the first thing to do is get everyone to safety. Assess your and your passengers' injuries and move yourselves-and in some situations, the vehicle-to the side of the road. Contact first responders for medical attention and to help document the accident scene.
Take photos of the damage to the rental vehicle and any damage it might have caused. This can help document the incident and help with repairs. If another person or vehicle is involved, exchange information with that driver.
Are there any witnesses to the accident or to the damage to your rental vehicle? Collecting their information can be helpful too. This can help determine fault and who may be in charge of repair and damage costs.
Once you are safe, contact the rental car company. This information will likely be on the rental paperwork you signed. There may also be a phone number provided somewhere in the vehicle.
A team member will let you know what needs to be done. This may include contacting your insurance company to let them know about the accident and determine what the insurance company wants you to do.
The next step is to determine who is responsible for paying for the rental car damage and repairs. This may depend on your auto insurance and any rental insurance you purchased. If you didn't purchase additional insurance, you or your insurance company will likely have to pay for the damage. If you did purchase a damage waiver, the rental company will likely take on the rental vehicle's costs and repairs.
If you have more questions about rental cars or need a rental car around Doylestown, Langhorne, or Boyertown, PA, reach out to Autorent. Our team will answer your questions and match you with a rental vehicle that meets your needs. We provide rentals for moves, road trips, insurance replacements, and much more.
Fill out our online rental form or give us a call today.
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