What to Do Right After a Rental Car Accident
Document the scene before you leave
Stop the car in a safe location. Turn on hazard lights. If anyone is injured, call 911. If there is no injury but there is damage or another vehicle involved, call the local police non-emergency line and ask for an accident report — you will need the report number later.
Take photos and video of everything: the damage to the rental car, the damage to any other vehicle, the accident scene itself, street signs and traffic signals, skid marks, and the position of all vehicles. Get the names, phone numbers, addresses, driver's license numbers, and insurance information of any other drivers. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident.
Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident, even if you think it was your mistake. Stick to the facts: "I was in the left lane" or "The light was green." Anything you say can be used against you later.
Key Takeaways
- Call police for an accident report if there is damage or another vehicle involved, and keep the report number.
- Take photos of all damage, the scene, traffic signals, and the position of vehicles before you move the car.
- Get the other driver's license number, insurance information, and contact details, plus the names of any witnesses.
- Contact the rental company within the timeframe stated in your contract — usually the same day or within 24 hours.
- Report the accident to your own insurance company even if you used the rental company's coverage, because your policy may cover the deductible.
Notify the rental company immediately
Call the rental company's damage hotline or customer service number as soon as you can, ideally before you return the car. The phone number is on your rental agreement and on any paperwork in the car. Tell them you were in an accident, give them the police report number if you have one, and describe what happened.
The rental company will tell you whether to return the car to the location where you rented it or to a different location. They may also tell you to take the car to a specific repair shop. Follow their instructions exactly. Do not take the car to a repair shop on your own unless the rental company tells you to.
Ask the rental company whether they will provide a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired, and whether you will be charged for the rental period during repairs. Get the name of the person you spoke to and the date and time of the call.
Understand what the rental company will charge you
The rental company will assess the damage and send you a bill. The bill may include the cost of repairs, a loss-of-use fee (the daily rate for the car while it cannot be rented), and an administrative fee. You are responsible for paying this bill unless your insurance or the at-fault driver's insurance covers it.
If you purchased damage coverage from the rental company at the time of rental, that coverage may pay for some or all of the damage, depending on the terms. If you declined the rental company's coverage, your own auto insurance may cover the damage up to your deductible. If the accident was the other driver's fault, their insurance may pay for all of it.
Do not pay the bill immediately. Review it carefully against the photos you took and the police report. If the charges seem wrong, contact the rental company in writing and ask them to explain each charge.
File a claim with your insurance company
Contact your auto insurance company and report the accident, even if you think the other driver is at fault. Give them the police report number, the other driver's insurance information, and the rental company's contact details. Your insurance company will open a claim file.
Your insurance company may send an adjuster to inspect the damage, or they may ask you to send photos. They will also contact the other driver's insurance company to determine who is at fault. This process can take weeks or months.
If you have collision coverage on your own policy, it will cover the damage to the rental car minus your deductible. Your insurance company will then try to recover the money from the at-fault driver's insurance company. If the other driver is at fault and has insurance, their company should eventually pay the full cost of repairs.
Handle the deductible and out-of-pocket costs
If your insurance covers the damage, you will have to pay your deductible out of pocket. The rental company's damage coverage may have a separate deductible, or it may cover the damage with no deductible — check your rental agreement to see which applies to you.
If the other driver is at fault and has insurance, you can ask their insurance company to waive your deductible. Some states require them to do this; others do not. Send a written request to the at-fault driver's insurance company with a copy of the police report and photos of the damage. They may agree or deny the request.
If you paid for the rental company's damage coverage and the accident was not your fault, the rental company may refund your deductible once the at-fault driver's insurance pays. Ask the rental company about their refund policy in writing.
Keep records of everything
Save the police report, all photos and video, the rental agreement, the damage bill from the rental company, your insurance claim number, and all emails and letters from the rental company and your insurance company. Organize them by date and keep them in one folder, either physical or digital.
Write down the dates and times of all phone calls you make, who you spoke to, and what was discussed. If you speak to someone in person, ask for their name and title. These notes will help you remember details if questions come up later.
Do not delete text messages, emails, or photos. Insurance companies and lawyers may need them if there is a dispute about what happened or how much the damage cost.
What to do if the rental company denies your claim
The rental company may deny your claim if they say the damage was pre-existing, if you violated the rental agreement, or if you did not report the accident within the required timeframe. If this happens, ask them in writing to explain the denial and to show you the evidence they used to make that decision.
Review your rental agreement to see what it says about damage claims and reporting deadlines. If the rental company did not follow their own policy, you can dispute the denial. Send a letter to the rental company's corporate office with copies of your documentation and explain why you believe the denial is wrong.
If the dispute cannot be resolved, you may be able to file a claim in small claims court or pursue the matter through your insurance company's dispute process. An attorney who handles insurance disputes can review your case and advise you on whether it is worth pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report the accident to the rental company if there is only minor damage?
Yes. Report any damage, no matter how minor. The rental company will inspect the car when you return it, and if they find unreported damage, they may charge you more and claim you hid the damage intentionally. Reporting it protects you.
What if I was not at fault but the other driver does not have insurance?
If you have uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy, it will cover the damage. If you do not, you will have to pay for repairs out of pocket or pursue a lawsuit against the other driver to recover the cost. Contact your insurance company to discuss your options.
Can the rental company charge me for a rental car while mine is being fixed?
Yes, this is called a loss-of-use fee. However, if the accident was not your fault, the at-fault driver's insurance should pay this fee. If you were at fault, you may be responsible for it unless your insurance covers it. Check your rental agreement and insurance policy.
How long does it take to resolve an accident claim?
It depends on the complexity of the accident and whether fault is clear. Simple claims where one driver is clearly at fault may be resolved in a few weeks. Complex claims with injuries or disputed fault can take months or longer. Your insurance company can give you an estimate based on your specific situation.
What if the rental company wants me to pay before the insurance claim is settled?
You can ask them to wait until your insurance claim is resolved, but they may refuse. If you have to pay, keep the receipt and all documentation. Once your insurance company pays, you can request a refund from the rental company if you overpaid, or you can use the receipt to support a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance.