It is common sense to know that accidents can occur at any given moment in time. It may not be your fault or anyone else’s fault for that matter, yet there is always the possibility for something to go wrong. Be prepared for any situation by taking the right measures when an accident occurs. Rental cars are great, but you need to know what to do in case the same succumbs to an accident. Insurance claims and accident reports can be obtained quickly if you stick by the rules of your car rental company. Listed below are some handy tips to help you in case of a car accident.
Make Sure Everyone is Safe
On the off-chance that your vehicle collides with another, first thing you need to do is to make sure that everyone in the car is safe. The next thing to do is to check the passengers for any injuries. Once you are certain that all are safe, examine the cars to see the extent of the damage. Also, be sure to check for oil or fuel leakages. Move away from the car as quickly as possible if there seems to be any leakages or a chance for an explosion. Be sure to phone the emergency number, 999, after you have completed your safety checks.
Know your Facts
Before renting a car, do enough research about the rental company and the terms and conditions associated with renting a car. Find out about the company’s policy with regard to insurance along with the fees associated with accident coverage. Read up on the extra fees that may be charged, should an accident occur. In short - make sure that you read the fine print of all the documents included.
Exchange Contact Details
While you wait for the emergency services to arrive, make sure to exchange contact details with the driver of the other vehicle. Be sure to exchange insurance details and inform the other driver that you are driving a rental car. The driver of the other car may need to explain this to his/her car insurance company and all the details pertaining to the accident are very important.
Call the Rental Company
Inform the rental company about the accident. They will tell you exactly how they will handle your case. When you rent a car, it is important to know which insurance company the car is insured with. Familiarize yourself with the details of the insurance company the moment you decide to rent a car from them. The rental company should be able to tell you in advance about accident coverage and what would happen if you sustained an injury.
Contact the Insurance Provider
Make sure that you notify the insurance provider about the accident. The insurance provider will then file an accident report on your behalf which will come in handy if there are any claims to be made. Your insurance provider should be able to guide you through the whole process while answering all the questions you may have.
