Rental cars are everywhere in Florida.
People fly into South Florida for vacation. Family comes into town. Someone's vehicle is in the shop. Business travelers need a car for a few days.
Then an accident happens.
Suddenly, the car you do not own has damage, someone may be injured, and you are trying to remember whether you clicked "accept" or "decline" on a screen at the rental counter.
Rental car accidents can involve more layers of insurance than a typical crash.
Start With Your Own Auto Insurance
Many people assume the rental company's insurance automatically handles everything.
That is not always the case.
Depending on your policy, your personal automobile insurance may extend certain coverage to a rental vehicle. The exact coverage depends on the policy, which is why I recommend reviewing the actual insurance documents instead of relying on assumptions.
The question is not simply, "Do I have car insurance?"
The better question is, "What does my policy cover when I am driving a temporary rental vehicle?"
What Did You Purchase From the Rental Company?
Rental companies typically offer optional products when you pick up the vehicle.
People often decline them because they believe they already have coverage. Sometimes they are correct. Sometimes they discover after an accident that there are gaps.
The rental agreement matters.
Keep it.
Do not throw away the paperwork or delete the confirmation email after the accident.
Your Credit Card May Matter Too
Some credit cards offer rental vehicle benefits when you use the card to pay for the rental.
That does not automatically mean every expense is covered.
There may be requirements regarding the type of vehicle, length of rental, location, or other insurance available to you.
If you believe your credit card includes rental protection, contact the card issuer and request the specific terms of that benefit.
What If Someone Else Caused the Accident?
If another driver caused the crash, their insurance may also become part of the claim.
That means a single rental car accident could potentially involve your automobile insurer, the rental company, a credit card benefit administrator, and the other driver's insurance carrier.
Now imagine trying to sort through all of that while you are injured.
That is where things can become frustrating quickly.
Do Not Forget About "Loss of Use"
Rental vehicle claims can involve expenses people do not expect.
For example, a rental company may claim it lost income while the damaged vehicle was unavailable to rent.
There can also be towing expenses, administrative charges, diminished value issues, deductibles, and other costs depending on the circumstances and rental agreement.
The bill may involve much more than repairing a bumper.
If You Are Injured, Treat the Injury Claim Separately
Do not become so focused on the rental vehicle that you forget about yourself.
Property damage and bodily injury are different issues.
If you were hurt, get appropriate medical attention and document what happened. Keep records of your medical treatment, expenses, missed work, and communications with insurance companies.
If the insurance situation starts becoming confusing, get help before making assumptions about what you are entitled to recover.
A rental car may only be yours for a few days.
Unfortunately, an accident involving one can follow you much longer.
If you have questions after a rental car accident in Palm Beach County, call my office at 561-540-3636.