What happens if I am involved in an accident while driving a rental car?

We’ve probably all done it dozens of times—we’re signing the paperwork for the rental car that we’re about to drive off the lot, and we check the box that says we decline coverage. At that point, maybe you’re just eager to get on the road and get out of there without losing an arm and leg, financially speaking. You might be pretty sure that your own auto insurance policy covers you in a rental car. Either way, you haven’t been in an accident in years, so the odds are in your favor.

Of course, if you subscribe to the Murphy’s Law philosophy of life, your confidence will backfire on you and you will be involved in a fender-bender or worse. What would you do? Are you out of luck? Keep reading below to learn the basics of accidents in rental cars.

Rental Car Accidents: What You Need to Know

Accidents happen, especially in rental cars. You’re driving an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar place, and you may not be focused on driving defensively. The most important thing to remember in the event of a wreck with your rental car is that it is just like any other accident, and you must:

• Remain on the scene
• Report the accident to the proper parties (in this case, your insurer, law enforcement, and the rental car company)
• Collect information and take pictures
• Seek medical attention for yourself or other injured parties

Part of knowing what to do comes with preparation, however. Before you rent a car, you need to review your own auto insurance policy to ensure that you are covered—some policies may have gaps when it comes to rental vehicles. If your auto policy doesn’t cover you, see if your credit card has rental car insurance coverage—if it does, be sure to use that card to pay for the vehicle.

If you do not have auto insurance (which many city-dwellers don’t if they don’t own a car), consider the rental car insurance. Just make sure that you are covered before you leave the lot—your caution and planning could save you down the road! If you have been involved in a wreck, either with another driver in a rental car or in a rental yourself, call Houston attorney Steve Lee today to ensure that you will receive proper compensation and care.