It’s bad enough to be in a crash in your own car, but the stress can be even higher if you find yourself in a crash when driving a rental car. Are you responsible for paying for damages to the rental vehicle? If you took the insurance offered by your rental car company, what are your rights and next steps? If you didn’t take the insurance offered by the rental company, what other insurance options might you have? Finally, what steps should you take after a rental car accident?

If you’ve been in an accident while driving a rental car, the first thing you might want to do is call the police and make a police report. The police can investigate the accident, and may be able to take notes to identify who might be negligent for the crash. If you were not negligent for the crash, the other party’s insurance may be responsible for covering your losses. Additionally, making sure everyone is safe at the scene of the crash should be of paramount concern. Seek medical care for those who are injured and assist those who have been hurt at the scene of the crash. Finally, you’ll want to contact the rental car company to let them know that an accident has taken place.

When it comes to determining who is at fault for paying for damages to a rental vehicle, several factors must be considered. First, the negligent party will generally be responsible for covering damages. Next, your coverage must be considered. Generally a rental vehicle might be covered either by a policy you purchased from the rental car company, through your own personal insurance coverage (if you have car insurance), and insurance that may be provided by your credit card company. Let’s take a look at how each of these factors might play a role in your crash. Determining how much a person might have to pay following a rental car crash can be complex. If you still have questions about your rights and options under the law, consider speaking to Rensch & Rensch Law, a car accident attorney in Omaha, Nebraska today.

The Role of Negligence

Generally, the person at fault for the crash will be responsible for paying for damages. The person at fault may be liable to pay these damages out of pocket if he or she was not insured or his or her insurance company may cover damages, if he or she is insured. Sometimes it is clear that one party is primarily responsible for a crash, for example, where one driver might have been drinking and driving, or where a driver may have run a red light, run a stop sign, or was speeding. But sometimes the factors at play in a car accident may be more complex, and it may not be immediately clear who is at fault. This is where having a car accident attorney, like the lawyers at Rensch & Rensch Law in Omaha, Nebraska on your side can make an immense difference in your case. Finally, if you have car insurance, your first line of defense in a car accident involving a rental car will most likely be your own personal auto insurance, so it is important to contact your car insurance company right away after a crash.

Rental Car Insurance Provided by the Rental Car CompanyIf you accepted the coverage offered by the rental car company, whether you are covered for all the damages and losses will depend on the type of coverage you purchased from the company. You may need to call the rental car company and review the documents you signed when you rented the vehicle. Rental company insurance can include liability coverage, personal injury coverage, and waivers regarding fees you might face should the vehicle be damaged or totaled. If you have personal car insurance, some of the coverage provided by the rental company (if you accepted coverage) might overlap with your personal coverage. If you’ve been in an accident with a rental car, and purchased coverage from the rental company, calling the rental company after a crash is an important first step. If you have additional questions about your rights or if your rental car company isn’t honoring the terms of your coverage, you may want to speak to the car accident lawyers at Rensch & Rensch Law, in Omaha, Nebraska who may be able to assist you. It is important to note that rental car insurance isn’t usually “insurance” but more often a waiver that ensures you that the rental car company won’t pursue you for additional damages if your personal insurance or if negligent parties don’t cover the total cost of damage to the vehicle.

Credit Card Company Rental Insurance

Another type of coverage you might have might be coverage through your credit card. Many credit card companies include rental car coverage, but you must pay for the rental car by using your credit card in order for this coverage to be in effect. If you aren’t sure what coverage is provided by your credit card, the time to check your coverage is before you rent a vehicle. Call your credit card company and learn more about its policies of coverage. Credit card company coverage can be valuable in terms of picking up the slack where your personal car insurance won’t pay, and credit card insurance may also be able to cover deductibles. Have additional questions? Rensch & Rensch Law is a car accident attorney in Omaha, Nebraska that may be able to help you navigate the many insurance types you might have. USAttorneys.com can connect you with Rensch & Rensch Law today.