If you’ve been in an accident in a rental car in Austin, Texas, the first steps you should take after the crash should be no different than any other accident. Call the police, get medical help for anyone who has been injured, and exchange contact information with the other driver or drivers. Rental car accidents can add a layer of difficulty because the car is not your own. In addition to contacting your own insurance company after a rental car accident, you’ll need to contact the rental car company as well. One of the challenges after a rental car accident is determining who is responsible for paying for what. If you purchased a collision waiver or additional insurance from the rental car company, this insurance should kick in first and protect you from loss. But, if you didn’t purchase this additional insurance, you may still have other options. Your insurance and the other driver’s insurance may also cover you in a rental car accident. Which insurance might be responsible for paying the bills will largely depend on who was negligent for the crash. So, one factor that may need to be considered is determining who was at fault for the crash. Finally, if you rented the car with a credit card, you may be able to use the credit card’s insurance to cover your losses and to cover deductibles, after your own insurance kicks in. But, different credit cards might have different rental car insurance policies, so it’s best to contact your credit card first to determine what is covered. Having trouble understanding what your liabilities might be after a rental car accident? If you are being blamed for an accident that wasn’t your fault, or if your rental car company isn’t honoring their coverage or waivers, or if you are having difficulty disentangling which coverage should kick in after your rental car accident, the Robson Law Firm is a car accident law firm in Austin, Texas that may be able to help you.
What is Covered by Rental Car Insurance Provided by the Rental Car Company?
Rental car insurance provided by the rental car company can protect you before your personal insurance needs to take effect. If you purchased rental car insurance from the rental car company, this can protect you from facing higher premiums due to making a claim with your insurance company. Rental car insurance usually includes a waiver that is essentially a promise made by the rental car company that they won’t come after you for charges or damages should you get into an accident or should the rental car get stolen. Liability protection offered by the rental car insurance policy can also protect you if you are at fault for an accident that causes damage to another vehicle.
If you don’t have comprehensive insurance coverage on your own car, the insurance offered by the rental car company at the counter may offer you additional protection. The rental car insurance policy could also cover deductibles that you might have had to pay had you used your own personal insurance to cover a loss. If you purchased rental car insurance at the counter, after an accident in a rental car, you may want to call the rental car company first, and then call your personal insurance company second to inform both parties that an accident has occurred. In most cases, your rental car company can take things from there.
Have questions about your rights and responsibilities if you have been in a crash in a rental car? Are you having trouble making an insurance claim? Or, is one insurance policy claiming that the other company is responsible (passing the buck)? The Robson Law Firm is a car accident law firm in Austin, Texas that may be able to help you with your claim.
What Coverage Does My Credit Card Company Provide?
If you rented the car with a credit card, your credit card company may provide additional protection regarding damages and losses pertaining to the rental car—but only after you first make a claim with your auto insurance. This coverage might be useful if you didn’t purchase additional coverage from the rental car company. Your credit card company may be able to pick up the tab for deductibles and additional damages that may not be covered by your insurance policy. However, every credit card’s additional coverage policy is different, so you may want to contact your credit card company first to understand your rights and options. Still have questions about what is covered? The Robson Law Firm is a car accident law firm in Austin, Texas that may be able to assist you. Our lawyers can review the details of your case, hold negligent parties accountable, and fight to help you get the settlement you may deserve from the many stakeholders that might be involved following a rental car crash. Reach out to our attorneys today or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with a lawyer at the Robson Law Firm that may be able to assist you.
