Who Pays for the Damage in a Rental Car?
Who Pays for the Damage in a Rental Car?
Recently, especially businesses have been renting cars to reduce their financial burdens. The use of rental cars has become very common for both vacation and business purposes. Expenses such as traffic insurance and comprehensive insurance (kasko) are not your concern. However, there are some questions regarding rental cars. One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Who pays for the damage in a rental car?”
If an accident occurs with a rental car, the person responsible for covering the damage may vary depending on the situation. You could have been driving under the influence of alcohol, involved in a fatal accident, or had a minor collision. Additionally, the process may vary depending on the rental company. Now, let’s take a look at who pays for the damage in a rental car and how the process works in case of an accident.
What Happens in the Event of Damage to a Rental Car?
When an accident happens with a rental car, the responsibility for covering the damage depends on the circumstances. First, the fault in the traffic accident is considered. If you are at fault, the rental company may ask you to cover the income of the vehicle during the repair process. This is known as the rental fee situation. Besides this, the damage to the vehicle may be covered by traffic insurance or the vehicle’s comprehensive insurance (kasko).
If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the accident, you will be considered 100% at fault. In this case, the vehicle’s insurance or kasko will not cover the damage. You will be responsible for all the costs. If the other party is at fault, all expenses will be covered by the kasko or traffic insurance.
Your rental agreement is crucial in determining who pays for the damage in the event of an accident. If you sign an all-inclusive agreement, no charges will be made. In summary, if you rent a vehicle and are at fault in an accident, the damage may be covered by you. However, you should make sure that the vehicle has comprehensive insurance (kasko). Additionally, to avoid problems, you should choose a reputable vehicle rental company.
What to Do in Case of an Accident with a Rental Car?
If you have an accident with a rental car, you need to know how to proceed. First, stay calm and check for any injuries or fatalities. If no one is in danger, there are steps you need to follow according to the situation.
If you follow the correct steps when you have an accident with a rental car, you won’t face problems. First, never change the position of the vehicle and immediately call the traffic police. Then, obtain an accident report and take a breathalyzer test to prove you were not under the influence.
If the accident occurred in an area where the gendarmerie handles traffic accidents, go to the nearest gendarmerie station and give a statement. Don’t forget to request an eyewitness report. If another vehicle was involved in the accident, obtain a photocopy of the other driver’s license and registration. Also, get a copy of the traffic insurance policy for the other vehicle. It is crucial to prepare an accident report. You should also take photos of the damaged areas of the vehicle.
After this step, you need to contact the rental company. To avoid unexpected situations during this process, be sure to thoroughly review your contract and follow its terms.
After renting a vehicle, if you were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the damage is generally covered by insurance or kasko.
