Who Pays for a Rental Car Accident?

Collecting damages after a rental car accident can be tricky, however, you generally have to pursue the driver who caused the accident and not the rental car agency. If the driver in the rental car accident is uninsured, you will need to use your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy to attempt to recover any damages from your rental car accident.

There is the possibility of recovering your rental car accident damage from the company by lawsuit. If you there is proof the rental agency was somehow negligent in renting the car (e.g. – perhaps they knew that the renter was going to let an unlicensed driver drive the vehicle), then you may be able to recover your damages. This, however, is rare.

Things You Should Know About Rental Car Liability

Before you look to the driver’s auto insurance company however, there are some things you should know. While most collision policies on a driver’s auto insurance covers damage to rental cars, whether true coverage exist really depends on:

1. Where will you be driving? A sojourn to Mexico probably will not be covered under a personal policy. Or if the accident occurred in a place prohibited in the rental agreement, you may not be able to collect from the negligent driver’s insurance company.
2. What type of vehicle was the driver driving? If they rented a U-Haul, pickup, motor home or passenger van, there probably will not be covered either.
3. Who is driving? Even if the primary driver is covered, if the damage occurs while someone who is not a member of their immediate household is driving or someone underage, the personal auto policy may not cover an accident. If the driver is not listed as an authorized driver on the rental agreement, you may be out of luck.

When you cannot collect from the responsible driver’s insurance company, or if the insurance company attempts to deny coverage for one of these reasons, you should contact a skilled automobile insurance claim lawyer to assist you with recovering the damages to yourself and/or your vehicle. State laws regarding insurance can get quite complicated and if you are serious about recovering damages, you will need to hire a the best possible legal help to protect yourself.

Case Studies: Rental Car Accident Liability

Case Study 1: Uninsured Motorist Dilemma

Emma rented a car for her vacation and was involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. The rental car agency denied any liability for the damages, leaving Emma frustrated and unsure of her options. With the guidance of her insurance agent, Brandon Frady, she filed a claim with her own uninsured motorist coverage to seek compensation for the rental car accident. Brandon’s expertise in insurance matters helped Emma navigate the complexities and successfully recover the damages from her rental car accident.

Case Study 2: Pursuing Rental Agency Liability

Michael rented a car from a reputable agency but soon discovered that the vehicle was in poor condition, leading to an accident. Despite the rental agency’s negligence in providing a faulty vehicle, they denied any responsibility for the damages. Determined to seek justice, Michael sought legal advice from an automobile insurance claim lawyer, who examined the case and found evidence of the rental agency’s negligence in the rental process. With skillful representation, Michael successfully recovered the damages through a lawsuit against the rental agency.

Case Study 3: Complexities of Rental Car Insurance

Sophia was involved in a rental car accident and initially relied on the responsible driver’s auto insurance for coverage. However, she faced challenges when the insurance company attempted to deny her claim, citing various reasons. Realizing the complexity of state insurance laws, Sophia decided to seek the assistance of a licensed insurance agent, Brandon Frady, who provided clarity and explained her options. With Brandon’s guidance, Sophia took the necessary steps to protect her rights and secure the compensation she deserved.