You can cancel your policy within 14 days of receiving your PDS and Certificate of Insurance. The premium you have paid will be refunded to you in full, as long as you have not started your trip and do not want to file a claim of any sort related to the policy. Once this 14-day period has passed, you can still cancel your policy but you will not receive any refund.
My rental car was hit while parked: Navigating a Rental Car Accident
PUBLISHED ON Jun, 07 2023
One common worry people have when renting a car is that someone else will damage the rental vehicle. After all, once you agree to a rental agreement, you are obligated to return the car in the same state. Whoever damages a car is irrelevant to the rental car company. What transpires, though, if another party harms your rental car?
“My rental car was hit while parked: Navigating a Rental Car Accident” is an article that provides a guide on what to do when you find yourself in a situation where your rented vehicle is damaged while parked. From identifying the incident to taking necessary actions and dealing with insurance matters, this guide will help you deal with the unfortunate scenario of your rental car being hit while parked.
Discovering the Damage: Someone Hit My Rental Car
When you first discover that your rental car has been hit, it can be a disheartening and confusing experience. You might ask yourself, “What do I do now that someone hit my rental car?”
- Contact your rental company: The first thing you should do is to contact the rental company and inform them about the incident.
- Document the scene: Ensure you take plenty of photos of the damage as soon as you discover it.
- Report to the police: In many countries, it’s essential to report such an incident to the police for insurance purposes.
Someone Hit and Run My Rental Car
When dealing with a hit-and-run situation, where someone hit and run my rental car, the steps are slightly different.
- Look for witnesses: If there were any people around when the incident occurred, they might have information about the culprit.
- Note any details: Try to remember or note down any details you may have noticed about the other vehicle.
- Report to authorities: It’s critical to report a hit-and-run to the local authorities as soon as possible.
Someone Dented My Car and Left
Discovering a dent on your rental car where someone dented my car and left can be equally frustrating. Here’s what to do:
- Don’t touch or move the vehicle: Unless it’s obstructing traffic, keep the car in the same position as when you found the damage.
- Note the surroundings: Pay attention to any CCTV cameras in the vicinity that may have captured the incident.
- File an insurance claim: After reporting to the rental company and police, you need to file an insurance claim.
10 Reasons to Consider CarInsuRent Car Rental Excess Insurance
There have been cases where a hit-and-run driver damages a rental car, in which case the renter is responsible for a significant deductible.
- Zero Deductible – In the event of an accident, you do not want to pay the deductible. Your rental car would also be subject to the high deductible on your auto insurance. Paying for car rental excess insurance and knowing you won’t be responsible for more than that amount may give you piece of mind.
- Make no claim on your personal insurance. Perhaps you’ve had a claim recently and don’t want your premium to skyrocket. You might want to err on the side of caution and purchase insurance because filing two claims in a single year will dramatically increase your insurance costs.
- Coverage in Foreign Countries: If you’re traveling internationally, your personal auto insurance policy may not provide coverage. Rental car insurance ensures you’re covered in these situations.
- Theft Protection: If the rental car is stolen, rental car insurance could cover the cost of the stolen vehicle.
- Protection Against Vandalism: Car rental insurance can cover the cost of repairs if the car is vandalized.
- Gap Coverage: Car rental companies may charge fees for “loss of use” and diminished value if their car gets damaged. These charges might not be covered by your regular insurance, but can be covered by rental car insurance.
- Personal Effects Coverage: This covers the theft of personal items from the rental car.
- Convenience and Peace of Mind: By opting for car rental insurance, you can avoid dealing with your own insurance company, and you don’t have to worry about your premiums increasing in case of an accident.
- Coverage in Case of Insufficient Personal Auto Insurance: If your personal auto insurance has a high deductible or low limits, rental car insurance can provide additional protection. If you are renting a pricey car, keep in mind that the amount of coverage provided by your Geico auto insurance is limited to the policy’s maximum. For your enjoyable Corvette rental weekend, you might want to increase your coverage. Check your coverage limits frequently.
- Coverage for Additional Drivers: If you plan to share the driving responsibilities with someone else during your rental period, rental insurance can ensure that all drivers are covered.
See How Much You Can Save on Your Car Rental Insurance
Get StartedIt is important to research and understand the coverage options and costs to make an informed decision that best fits your needs. CarInsuRent car hire excess insurance starts from as low as $6.49 per day* to $94.90 for an annual car hire excess insurance policy. Our policies covers the excess on damage and theft up to €2,500 and provide full protection that Includes single vehicle damage, roof and undercarriage damage, auto glass and widescreen damage, towing expenses, misfuelling, loss of car key and tire damage. We cover multiple drivers between the ages of 21 and 84 years.
Final Word
Being in a situation where your rental car was hit while parked can be stressful. But with the right knowledge and coverage, you can navigate your way through the process effectively and ensure that you fulfill all necessary requirements. It’s always important to keep calm, report the incident promptly, and keep good documentation of the damage.
FAQ
What should I do if my rental car gets hit?
Contact the rental company immediately, document the scene, and report the incident to the police.
What happens in a hit-and-run scenario?
You should look for witnesses, note down any details you can remember about the offending vehicle, and report the incident to local authorities.
How do I deal with a situation where someone dented my car and left?
Don’t move the vehicle, note the surroundings for any potential evidence like CCTV cameras, and file an insurance claim.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I cancel my policy before my trip?
Does CarInsuRent cover Sand and Ash Protection and Gravel Protection?
Our Iceland policy include Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) and Gravel Protection (GP).
What is Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP)?
Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) is a type of insurance coverage that is designed to protect rental cars from the potential damage caused by volcanic ash and sand in Iceland. Certain areas of Iceland still have loose ash and fine sand from the Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which can blow around and damage vehicles. SAAP is a specific waiver that was created to cover this type of damage, as Icelandic insurance companies do not include it in their Collision Damage Waiver. This coverage is optional, but highly recommended if you plan to drive in Iceland. Camping Iceland, a local car rental company, claims that SAAP will serve you well and recommends it for all rentals.When is it Common for the Wind to Toss Sand Onto the Roads?
Sand can be hurled onto roads in Iceland during the Sand & Ash period, which typically occurs in February, March, and April. During this time, the snow has only just thawed out and the grass hasn't grown sufficiently to keep the sand in its place. This can lead to damage to vehicles driving on the roads. It's important to note that sand and dust storms, which can also cause visibility issues for drivers, typically occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from bare, dry soils into the atmosphere.What does CarInsurent Sand and Ash Protection in Iceland cover?
Due to the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland the risk of damage to the paint and windows of the cars has increased. Our Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) insurance can cover damage to the paint, windows, lights, plastics, chromes, and wheels of the rental car caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice, or other earth materials being blown onto the vehicle. The deductible for SAAP insurance is typically 50,000 IKR for all rental cars in the fleet. No other insurance covers these damages and insurance companies refuse to cover them. Even though all safety rules are followed damage can happen when, for example, wind starts blowing more than was forecasted thus moving the sand/ash and damaging the car. [carInsurent_sc_get_quote_cta cta_text="See How Much You Can Save on Your Car Rental Insurence" cta_btn_text="Get Started"]
Does the Insurance Cover Lost Keys and Remote Locking Devices?
Yes. CarInsuRent insurance covers lost keys and remote locking devices. Losing the keys to a rental car can be a stressful and frustrating experience. Many people wonder if their rental car insurance will provide coverage for lost keys. Rental car insurance policies may vary in their coverage for lost keys. Lost keys are not typically covered by car insurance for loss or theft, as keys are considered personal property.
Steps to Take If You Lose Rental Car Keys
Losing rental car keys can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to get back on the road quickly. Here are some tips based on the provided web search results:- Contact roadside assistance: Most rental cars come with a roadside assistance phone number that you can call in the event of a lockout or lost keys. You should be able to call and have someone sent out to help with your situation. Note that our car hire excess waiver insurance may reimburse you for roadside assistance.
- Check for a spare key: Some rental cars come with a spare key that is located in a magnetic box under the car or in the trunk. If you have rented a car that has a spare key, this could be an option to get back on the road quickly.
- Contact the rental car company: Contact the rental car company as soon as possible to let them know what has happened. They may be able to provide you with a replacement key or arrange for a locksmith to come and assist you.
- Check your insurance policy: If you take out our car hire excess insurance you may have coverage for lost or stolen rental car keys.
- Take preventative measures: One of the best ways to avoid losing rental car keys is to make them harder to lose. Attach a big, noticeable lanyard or keychain to the keys, something that will make a noise when moved, to help you locate them quickly. Additionally, always double-check that you have the keys with you before leaving the car.
Find the answers you’re looking for to the most frequently asked car hire insurance questions as well as other questions relating to our products and services.
