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| Rental Car Wreckage |
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Business Travel 911 March 2006 • Vol.4 Issue 3 Page(s) 88-89 in print issue |
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Rental Car Wreckage |
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 Cr accidents happen. That’s an unfortunate, unwritten rule of the highway, and it’s one that’s still in effect when you’re driving a rental car on business, thousands of miles away from home. If you’re in a wreck while on the road conducting business, you’ll need to follow a few rules to protect yourself and your company. by Nathan Chandler
There are a series of things you should—and should not—do when you’re involved in a car accident. If you collide with another vehicle, whatever you do, don’t leave the accident scene. The police don’t look kindly upon hit-and-run motorists, and if they catch you, you’ll face the possibility of criminal prosecution.
If no one else has already summoned them, call the police, even with very minor accidents where negligible damage occurs. When you are driving your own vehicle, this step is optional; when you’re driving a rental car, it’s necessary. The rental company will want every detail about the accident, in order to document the incident. In some states the police might not show up for simple fender benders where there are no injuries. If the police don’t show, be sure to file a state vehicle accident report. You can find the forms for these reports at a local police station, and in many cases, on a state’s department of motor vehicle’s Web site. Don’t put your phone away after you call the police. You also need to notify the rental agency about the accident. If it’s a serious accident, this step can wait, but most rental agencies require you to tell them about mishaps within 24 hours. Before you call, check your rental contract to see if there’s a number for the office where you rented your car. If your contract doesn’t list a number, call the company’s emergency roadside assistance number instead (see our “Agency Contacts” sidebar for a list of roadside assistance phone numbers), and the representative will log your information and answer any questions that you might have regarding post-accident procedure.  INFO SWAP After you call the police, exchange your information with the driver of the other vehicle. If the other person is upset or angry, give her a few minutes to cool off—car accidents are emotionally upsetting for many people and it may be better to wait for a police officer’s presence if the other driver doesn’t calm down. After the situation is under control, exchange the following information: name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, name of insurance company, and insurance policy number. This information is critical for the accident report and insurance purposes. While you’re collecting this information, be courteous and kind, but don’t accept any blame for the accident, even if you think it’s obviously your fault. Motor vehicle accidents, even those with seemingly clear causes and results, often occur for reasons you can’t see. Let the police at the scene piece together what happened; your job is only to be calm and honest about your role in the incident. After the officer completes an accident report, you can continue your trip, unless, of course, your car isn’t drivable. In that case you can call the rental agency to discuss a replacement vehicle. (If you were on business but driving your personal vehicle, you have to make your own arrangements for transportation.). BEFORE THERE’S AN ACCIDENT Don’t wait until after a rental car accident to think about insurance coverage. You should know what kind of coverage you need before you sign your rental contract. When you pick up your car, the agency will offer you insurance coverage in the form of a collision damage waiver, which is often called a loss damage waiver, and liability insurance. Signing the collision damage waiver means you won’t be financially responsible if your rental car is damaged or stolen. Liability insurance will come to your rescue in the event someone sues you after the accident. In some cases your personal insurance policy already protects you, even if you’re driving a rental car. However, you should be aware that some companies make exceptions for drivers who are using a rental car for business. Because your company should be footing the bill for your rental car anyway, be sure to pay extra for collision and liability coverage. The charges for this coverage shouldn’t top more than $40 or so per day. If you work for a small company that is always looking to cut costs, you can inquire about coverage through your credit card company. These companies often offer collision insurance that goes to work immediately if you use the card to pay for the rental. However, coverage varies depending on the card issuer and often differs depending on whether you carry a basic or premium version of the card, so be sure to call the card company for more details before you decide to rely on this insurance. Of course, no matter what sort of coverage you use to protect yourself while you’re driving a rental car, the best way to avoid dealing with the headaches of a rental car accident is to prevent wrecks before they happen. Don’t drink and drive or operate the car when you’re under the influence of any drugs. Those behaviors violate the terms of your rental agreement and they’re generally unsafe, anyway. Stay Alert If you’re bumped by another driver, don’t automatically pull over and hop out of your car. Likewise, don’t immediately stop if another driver indicates that something is wrong with your vehicle. It’s not uncommon for aggressive criminals to intentionally cause a minor accident or point out a “problem” with your car, in order to catch you off guard. Take your time and assess such situations with a wary eye before exiting your vehicle and making yourself more vulnerable to others. BE WRECK-LESS If you do have the misfortune of experiencing an accident in spite of your precautions, these procedures will help you navigate the chaos that inevitably follows accidents and give you some peace of mind. Just remember that some rules for business rentals are different for pleasure rentals, and to protect yourself, you should read your contract and ask questions before you get behind the wheel. Agency Contacts If you're in an accident while driving a rental car, you should notify the rental agency as soon as possible. Check your rental contract for direct numbers to the office where you picked up your car. If you can't find that number, we've listed the emergency roadside assistance phone numbers you can call for help. Alamo: (800) 803-4444 Avis: (800) 354-2847 Budget: (800) 858-5377 Enterprise: (800) 307-6666 Hertz: (800) 654-5060 National: (800) 367-6767 Thrifty: (877) 283-0898 |
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