What to Do If You Get Into an Accident When Driving a Rental Car
So what do you do if for any reason you're involved in an accident in the country you live in? Do you worry about it every time you get into a car? I suspect not, however having an accident whilst driving in a foreign country in a car you've hired, well that could be a different matter.
An accident in a foreign country can be daunting.
However, keep your cool, follow proper procedures and it shouldn't be the disastrous experience you fear.
In essence, dealing with an accident in a foreign country should not be any more traumatic than dealing with one in your home country - just, possibly, a bit more paperwork that is unfamiliar.
At the accident scene, go through all the ordinary procedures as you would at home.
Take photographs (or make sketches), exchange names, addresses and insurance details with the other party.
A soon as possible call the emergency number provided to you by the rental company - this should be on your rental contract - although some companies paste it n the inside of the windshield.
They should then talk you through everything you need to do.
What to do next Naturally the first thing to do is find out if anybody is injured - particularly whether any of the injuries are serious.
If necessary call an ambulance - if there are local witnesses then they will usually be able to help in making that contact.
Do not admit any fault on your part.
It may be a good idea to try to avoid telling the other party that your car is rented - as some people seem to think that this makes you fair game for a large claim! Keep any information you give the other party to the minimum required such as exchanging insurance details, names and addresses.
Next (as soon as possible) telephone the hire car supplier (on the emergency number they have given you) and explain what happened - they will know what next you need to do (if anything).
If the accident is serious enough for the police to become involved remember that they'll want to see all your documents - so remember to always carry your driver's license, rental documents and passport (or a copy that has been notarized - usually by the local police in the country in which you are visiting) - actually you should always carry your passport (or appropriate copy) even when not driving as this saves you considerable hassle if approached by the police for any reason.
You shouldn't need to contact the insurance company - this will be taken care of by the hire car supplier.
(but when you return the hire car make sure that you make a second report of the accident).
You should go to your local police and file an accident report - even if the accident seems very minor.
You never know and the car hire company will almost certainly require a copy of this for their insurers.
(You may be able to get the car hire supplier to file this report for you - ask them when you telephone to report the accident) Hopefully you'll never need to take any of the above actions.
An accident in a foreign country can be daunting.
However, keep your cool, follow proper procedures and it shouldn't be the disastrous experience you fear.
In essence, dealing with an accident in a foreign country should not be any more traumatic than dealing with one in your home country - just, possibly, a bit more paperwork that is unfamiliar.
At the accident scene, go through all the ordinary procedures as you would at home.
Take photographs (or make sketches), exchange names, addresses and insurance details with the other party.
A soon as possible call the emergency number provided to you by the rental company - this should be on your rental contract - although some companies paste it n the inside of the windshield.
They should then talk you through everything you need to do.
What to do next Naturally the first thing to do is find out if anybody is injured - particularly whether any of the injuries are serious.
If necessary call an ambulance - if there are local witnesses then they will usually be able to help in making that contact.
Do not admit any fault on your part.
It may be a good idea to try to avoid telling the other party that your car is rented - as some people seem to think that this makes you fair game for a large claim! Keep any information you give the other party to the minimum required such as exchanging insurance details, names and addresses.
Next (as soon as possible) telephone the hire car supplier (on the emergency number they have given you) and explain what happened - they will know what next you need to do (if anything).
If the accident is serious enough for the police to become involved remember that they'll want to see all your documents - so remember to always carry your driver's license, rental documents and passport (or a copy that has been notarized - usually by the local police in the country in which you are visiting) - actually you should always carry your passport (or appropriate copy) even when not driving as this saves you considerable hassle if approached by the police for any reason.
You shouldn't need to contact the insurance company - this will be taken care of by the hire car supplier.
(but when you return the hire car make sure that you make a second report of the accident).
You should go to your local police and file an accident report - even if the accident seems very minor.
You never know and the car hire company will almost certainly require a copy of this for their insurers.
(You may be able to get the car hire supplier to file this report for you - ask them when you telephone to report the accident) Hopefully you'll never need to take any of the above actions.
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