What to do if you are in an accident in a rental car

On Behalf of | Jun 13, 2018 | Car Accidents

Tourists flock to Toms River every year during the summer. There are numerous attractions to enjoy, from spending time on the beach to hiking through nature trails. 

During your vacation, you may need to rent a car. It is a convenient way to get around, but it is always possible you will end up in an auto accident during your stay. The first thing to always do after a collision is check on everyone to ensure no one sustained significant injuries. Contact an ambulance right away if there are any bad injuries. 

Contact the police

The police will need to file a report to submit to the insurance agencies. When the cops arrive, provide your side of the story. Do not admit fault, even if you believe you caused the accident.

Swap information

As you wait for the police to arrive, you should exchange insurance information with the other driver. You should also make a point to say it is a rental car. You can also use this time to take pictures of both vehicles and the scene in general. Damage to the road or weather conditions could have contributed to the crash, and you want to document those details. 

Call the rental company

After you have spoken with the police, you need to contact the rental agency and ask how they want you to proceed. The insurance process will be much simpler if you purchased rental insurance. While it may seem superfluous, it is always best to have it. 

Contact your insurance company

Finally, you will need to get in touch with your own insurance agency. You will be much better off if you have collision and comprehensive coverage because this extends to rental cars. This is also the time to figure out how much you need to pay for the deductible. Additionally, make sure to inform the agent you had insurance through the rental company and provide that organization’s contact information.