What To Do If You Crash Your Rental Car On Vacation

When you go on vacation, the last thing you need is anything other than the exciting experience that a short break should bring. Think of visiting that underrated Indonesian Island for unique outdoor adventures; you just will not want anything to mar your vacation experience. But the truth is, you don't have full control over some situations, especially the ones that involve other people. If your vacation requires that you drive around, accidents are one great example of those circumstances. Ranging from distracted drivers to unfamiliar roads, there could be so many contributing factors to a road accident. It feels even worse if you're driving a rental car, but you can save yourself unnecessary stress and spending if you know how to handle the situation. 

Among so many other steps to take, knowing what to do comes first. Although handling a rental car accident is somewhat similar to the way you handle an accident in your own car, there are still a few more actions you'll have to take. Of course, the first step is ensuring you check whether everyone involved in the accident is safe and unharmed. After that, you can proceed to call emergency services, if there is any need for that. Then, you need to exchange contacts with the other driver caught in the accident with you and document any damage or injuries with thorough pictures and notes.

The biggest difference between handling a car accident in a rental versus your own vehicle is that the rental company has to come in. You need to inform them as soon as possible. In most cars, you'll find an emergency contact number on a sticker inside the glove box. Better still, check your rental agreement. You should be able to see a list of numbers to call. It doesn't matter if the accident is minor; try to place a call to any of the provided numbers.

Having done that, you'll be expected to fill out the official incident report. This report is the rental company's paperwork to have their own record of all that happened. The form usually includes details like the time and location of the accident and a space to describe the damage. Also in the report, you'll have to supply the contact information of the third party — the other driver involved in the accident. If you're smart enough to have the incident captured in photos, then you've done yourself a great service, as refusing to follow these reporting steps could leave you to swallow costs that someone else may have covered otherwise.

The next step to take depends on the condition of the car. If the car is still in good condition, the company may ask you to take it to their nearest rental office. That is where they'll assess the damage and give you another vehicle, if needed. They'll then guide you on what to do afterwards regarding paperwork. But if the car is severely damaged after the accident, you don't have to risk driving it. You can try contacting the rental company once again. They should be able to fetch roadside assistance for you. In another case, they can tow the car on your behalf.

This will, of course, mean one thing — that the process is still within the company's insurance framework. This will prevent you from incurring added liability. Throughout the process, all you have to do is remain calm and cooperative. Whether you have personal coverage with your auto policy or one provided by the rental company, your insurance will most likely cover much of the damage. Some credit card companies even provide limited damage coverage on rentals if you book with their card. Checking your credit card terms and personal auto policy are essential to determine whether you really need rental car insurance. Although added insurance is generally one of the worst rental car mistakes to avoid, it could be your only hope if you don't have alternative coverage. When an accident does occur, you just have to keep the communication as clear and as timely as possible with the rental company.