• Sep 22, 2023
• / by admin

Can You Add Rental Car Insurance After An Accident? Explained!

Renting a car is widely popular around everywhere. Car rental services help make our travel more convenient and give a new level of exploration. But, it is necessary to be aware of certain things before you hire a car rental. Rental insurance is one of those things. Mishaps are unpredictable and can happen to anyone regardless of how carefully you drive the car. The at-fault person for the collision can be either you or the other driver. Damages and injuries may also occur, costing thousands of dollars. So, what's the solution for this? You need insurance for car rentals.

But, there is a deeper question that strikes in mind- Can you add rental car insurance after an accident? People often ask whether they are eligible for rental insurance in an accident. Rental insurance is not something that we deal with every day. Thus, many of us might get confused or stressed. Read the guide further to learn more about rental car accidents and insurance.

What Is Rental Car Insurance?

Rental insurance is an optional coverage plan that might reimburse the cost of a rented car if it is damaged in an accident. If you want to add a rental reimbursement to your insurance plan, you must also carry a comprehensive accident cover.

With a rental reimbursement cover, you can get coverage for the rental car cost of up to a certain amount. But, without this cover, you might be liable for the rental car cost if your vehicle can't be driven after a crash.

Is It Necessary To Have A Rental Insurance, And Can We Add It After An Accident?

Whether you need to have rental car insurance or not depends on certain situations. You want to ensure that you and your car rental are both insured. But you also do not want to pay for needless duplicate insurance that may double your rental car's price.

One can add rental car insurance after an accident. However, it won't be offering you cover for the previous accident. Insurance will cover an accident that happens following the starting date of the policy.

Rental car insurance is an optional plan. You can add it to your policy while reserving your rental vehicle.

What To Do If You Met An Accident While Driving A Rented Car?

If you have an accident with your rental car, you must check whether you and your co-riders are safe. Do they incur any minor or major injuries? After doing so, you must collect the necessary information that will help you file a claim. What else you should do:

Click photos of the accident scene and damages incurred to the vehicle. Ensure to make notes related to the accident. With plenty of pictures and notes, your claim might become stronger.

Share personal information with the other driver, like your name or license plate number. You must also share information about the insurer and your policy number.

As per your rental car agreement, you may have to call the rental company after the accident. The company will instruct you on what steps you have to take further. But make sure that you file an accident report.

Next, what you should do is call your insurance company to determine how your current auto insurance plan covers you. Your regular insurer may help you understand what you are liable for paying and what further steps to take.

In case the other driver was liable for the mishap, you'll have to claim with their insurance company. This is primarily to cover any damage or expense associated with the accident.

Do Rental Cars Have An Insurance Cover?

When you book a rented car, you must first understand the type of insurance coverage you are getting. A majority of car rental providers provide some kind of insurance cover. However, the extent of the coverage differs. This will depend on the service provider and your rental contract. 

Read the rental contract sensibly and ask questions if you aren't uncertain about any aspect of your cover. Most of the rented cars have some type of insurance cover or liability protection. They also come with other types of coverage, like personal accident insurance or personal effects coverage, but these may be optional. So, you must know what form of accident cover your rented car has. It can ensure you acceptable protection in a collision or any other mishap.

Also Read: What Is The Disadvantage Of Renting A Car?

What Coverage Is Offered Under Rental Insurance?

A majority of car rental providers generally have a range of insurance offerings for rental vehicles. So, you must know about the protection cover your rental company offers with the car. Typical rental insurance provides the following coverages:

Personal Accident Insurance

Personal accident insurance covers medical expenses in the situation of an accident. There may be no need for this coverage if you have personal injury protection or coverage for medical costs included in your auto insurance.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is one of the elements of many car insurance plans. If you have a suitable liability cover for your own car, you might not choose this option.

Personal Effects Coverage

Renters or condo policy will typically have protection for their personal belongings in certain situations. For example, if they are misplaced or stolen from a rented car. Ensure to check your policy papers before choosing or rejecting this cover.

Collision Damage Waiver/Loss Damage Waiver

This is a waiver that transfers financial responsibility from you to the rental provider in situations like theft or damage. Mainly, a collision damage waiver covers "loss of use" if the provider charges for the time a damaged car cannot be used as it is under repair.

Types Of Compensation You Are Entitled To After A Rental Car Accident

A person in a car crash can experience many losses. If the accident happened because of another person's carelessness, then you have all the right to get compensation for the damages.

Here are some of the compensations you can get after a rental car accident:

• Lost wages
• Cost of prescription medicines
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages
• Property damage
• Physical therapy and rehab costs
• Treatment and hospital expenses

What If You Try To Fix A Rented Car?

It is not advisable to fix or repair a rented car. You may violate the rental contract you signed earlier by not revealing the damage and attempting to fix the vehicle yourself.

You will be liable to fines or further expenses for the damage if you infringe the terms of your rental contract. Simply report the issue, and don't try to be a mechanic. The rental service company will typically come to you and exchange the car with another one.

Conclusion

The renter must have car insurance coverage in their policy before a mishap if they want to make the most of it. Luckily, now you can add rental car insurance after an accident. For adding rental coverage, you generally have to carry both comprehensive and accident cover.

Before you hire a rented car, ensure to sign a rental contract that holds you liable for any damage to the vehicle. It signifies that if you don't pay the damage expenses for the rented car, you might be prosecuted for nonpayment. 

Bon Voyage Car Rental is a renowned company offering exceptional rental car services. We also provide coverage for rented cars in situations like a collision or other mishaps. When you hire a car, we explain the renting process and how to get coverage for a rental vehicle. So, what are you waiting for? Book your favorite car with Bon Voyage today!