Experiencing an accident while driving a rental car can be a harrowing experience that also includes additional paperwork and the stress of dealing with a third party. If you are ever in a car accident the first thing to do is to check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Dial 911 immediately if anyone is injured. If you do not need an emergency rescue team but your car is immobile and blocking traffic, then call the police. Get yourself and those with you out of danger and away from any traffic hazards. Now you can think about your car!

You’ve wrecked the rental car, now what?

If no one is injured and you are now just dealing with car damage, the first step is to call the rental car company. Many companies include an emergency number that is brightly printed on the agreement paperwork. IF you are unable to locate this number, the regular 800 line to the company will be able to connect you. Explain to the customer service representative exactly what happened and they will instruct you on the next steps.

Review the insurance information

Many car insurance policies also cover rental cars, as do many credit card companies. If you relied on your own insurance for coverage, rather than purchasing it from the car rental company you will need to call them immediately after you speak with the rental car folks.

Your insurance may have a preferred vendor for towing, repairs, and rental cars for use while your vehicle is being repaired. If you also purchased supplemental coverage from the rental car company be sure to let your insurer know right away, this can help you avoid any future headaches caused by miscommunication between the two companies. If you are going to utilize coverage between two companies for the repair of damage caused by the accident and any medical expenses that arise, be sure to confirm which company is paying what. Often, your regular insurer will pay up to a certain limit and then the supplemental policy will cover the rest. While this is commonly the case, your situation may vary and it is important to thoroughly review all policies.

Get the other party’s information

If you are involved in an accident while traveling it is unlikely that you will know whether or not you are in a fault or no-fault accident state. It is always best practice to get all relevant information from the driver of the other car(s) as you may need to follow up with their insurance company. If the accident occurs in a no-fault state you will need to follow those regulations which may differ from what you are used to in your own home state. Your insurance company, along with the rental company will be able to advise you further when you call to notify them of the accident.

Call the police

If there are no severe injuries and you have received the other party’s information, you may not be inclined to call the police to notify them of the accident. In such cases, it is always best to ask for guidance from both the rental car company and your insurer as they may have a requirement of a police report in order to file a claim. Similar to other aspects of being involved in an accident while traveling, the circumstances may vary depending on where you are. It is always best to double check with your insurer and the car company and make sure that you have all necessary information to file a claim.

Being involved in a car accident is never fun, especially while on vacation! If you are involved in an auto accident it is important that you begin communicating with the car rental company and your insurance company right away. By following their guidelines from the beginning you may be able to avoid unnecessary complications in the claims filing process.

Get medical attention

Remember that seeking any necessary medical attention for yourself and any passengers is the priority after a car accident. Once any medical issues have been addressed your next call should be to the car rental company. The company can advise you on the next steps to take to ensure that the claims process goes smoothly. Do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions and if you are relying on two different companies for insurance coverage, be sure that they are both aware of the other’s involvement.

No one wants to experience a car wreck, but if you follow this helpful advice, the claims process can be easier!