Being involved in a collision with a motorist who is operating a rental vehicle raises questions about liability, insurance coverage, and the process for recovering compensation. Drivers who rent cars may carry their own policies, rely on coverage offered by the rental agency, or depend on credit card benefits. Understanding how each layer of protection applies is critical when you pursue reimbursement for property damage, medical care, and other losses.
What Coverage Applies When a Rental Car Is Involved?
When a rental driver causes a crash, the first source of coverage is the driver’s personal auto insurance. If that policy provides liability protection, it will respond to claims for damage and injuries up to its limits. After that policy is exhausted, the rental company’s supplemental liability insurance may become available. This typically adds coverage beyond what the driver’s own insurer offers. Additionally, some credit cards include collision damage waivers or secondary coverage that can help pay for repair costs or the deductible under the primary policies.
How Does the Rental Company’s Insurance Work?
The person renting the car may buy extra coverage at the counter, like a collision or damage waiver, which can limit how much they owe if something goes wrong. If they do not buy extra coverage, their own car insurance might pay instead.
Sometimes, the rental company also has backup insurance. It all depends on what coverage the driver has and what the rental agreement says. The rental company usually tries to collect from the driver’s insurance before paying anything itself.
What Steps Should I Take After the Accident?
As with other kinds of motor vehicle crashes, call 911, even if there are no apparent injuries. If you do not need to visit an ER, get a medical evaluation as soon as you can.
Collecting evidence at the scene is also vital, so photograph vehicle damage, capture license plate numbers and rental agreement information, and exchange contact details with the other driver. Obtain the rental company’s name and address from the agreement, as well as the driver’s insurer and policy number. Notify your own insurer promptly.
If you seek medical attention, keep all treatment records and invoices. These documents will support your claim for compensation.
Who Is Responsible for Compensating Me for Damages?
If the rental car driver is at fault, liability rests first with them. Their insurance provider is responsible for paying property damage and bodily injury claims up to its policy limits. When those limits are reached, the supplemental liability coverage sold by the rental company may cover additional losses.
If a gap remains, credit card benefits or other secondary policies can provide further reimbursement. In rare instances, the rental company may be named in a lawsuit if it failed to maintain the vehicle in a safe condition.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
If the motorist lacks liability insurance, you may still have options. Your own uninsured motorist coverage can pay for medical expenses and certain losses, subject to policy limits. If you carry underinsured motorist protection, that policy may fill gaps when the rental driver’s liability limits are insufficient.
Some credit cards’ collision waivers apply regardless of whether fault is established, but these typically cover vehicle damage and not bodily injury. In these situations, a qualified car accident lawyer can help you identify every potential source of payment.
Our Skilled Media Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Help Clients Pursue Maximum Compensation for Their Damages
If you suffered losses in a crash caused by a rental vehicle driver, you do not have to face the claims process alone. Our skilled Media car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can review your case, identify all available insurance layers, and work to pursue maximum compensation. For more information, complete our online form or call our Media or West Chester, Pennsylvania, office at 610-565-3701. We serve clients in the surrounding areas, including Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.