What Happens if Someone Else Damages Your Rental Car?

One pervasive fear you might have when you rent your car is another party damaging your rental cars. After all, when you sign a rental contract, you are responsible for returning the vehicle in the same condition. The rental car company doesn’t care who damages a car. But what happens if someone else damages your rental car?

Hit and Run Drivers

There have been instances where a hit and run driver causes damage to a rental car, and the renter has to pay a steep deductible. As our primer on rental car insurance explains, most coverage provided by credit cards is secondary. That means the credit card will only cover up to the insurance policy deductible. So getting stuck paying the insurance deductible means one of two things:

The renter didn’t read about potential coverage offered by his or her credit card
The renter didn’t pay with a credit card and has no protection when renting a car.

In either case, the upshot is that it’s important to read and understand what coverage is provided by credit card issuers. None of us want to drop an insurance deductible to repair a damaged rental car. And even if the credit card covers up to the insurance company’s deductible, we really don’t want to report rental car damage to our insurer, as that could impact premiums.

How to Avoid the Tab

The rental car companies will tell you the way to absolve responsibility for damage to a rental car is to pay for expensive Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). But we have a better idea.

Whenever possible, pay for car rentals with credit cards that provide primary rental car insurance coverage. With a low-cost credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, you can pick up benefits such as trip interruption insurance and primary rental car damage coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car in the US if I am from another country?

You can’t rent an American vehicle if your are not a citizen of the United States. This could include a waiver of visa requirements for certain countries. Also, you need to meet certain requirements such as having valid documentation (e.g. passport) and proof of your insurance. The DHS website provides additional information on this topic.

How much does a daily rental car cost in Europe?

We are not sure, but it seems to be somewhere between $100-200 daily.

We recommend you rent for at least two days as there are many sights and activities to do.

If you stay longer, you might want to consider buying a vehicle that would cost around $2000-$3000.

This way you could travel around Europe for free.

It is also worth checking if your credit company offers discounts on rental.

What is the best European road trip?

These are the best road trips because you can stop and see interesting places on your way, as opposed to just driving from A-B as fast as possible.

While there are many roads across Europe, few roads are as spectacular as the one between Venice and Dubrovnik.

You will drive through stunning scenery most of your trip. There are numerous stops along the road to stop and take in all the sights.

Highlights include Torcello on Lake Garda’s islands Lido di Jesolo (or Torcello), the Dolomites of northern Italy, and Carcassonne in southern France, which is surrounded by medieval walls.

How can I rent car in another country?

This is best done by using an international rental agency, such as Hertz or Avis. These companies have offices in Europe and offer services both for long-term and short-term rental.

They offer customer service seven days a week, 24 hours a year.

No previous experience is required to rent from them. They handle everything, from insurance to breakdown cover. All you need is to know where and when to arrive.

What is needed to rent a car in Europe?

A variety of websites can help you find affordable European rental cars. These include Alamo and Sixt, Europcar or Hertz. Online booking is also an option.

Before renting a car, you must make sure that you have all the information necessary. This includes, but not limited to:

Your full name, including any middle or additional names (if applicable).
Your current address
Date, time & place of pickup
Name and model of the vehicle that is rented
Name of insurance company and policy number
Any special requests for additional equipment
Specific details of rental agreements (e.g. duration, rate and deposit; balance due at the end of the trip; excess charges, limits on liability, cancellation penalties, etc.
Payment method(s), credit card, debit card cash, personal cheque or cash

After you have collected the above information, it is possible to book your vehicle through one of those companies.

Statistics

Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)

External Links

How To

Here are 12 things you need to know about renting a car in Europe

What should I know about renting a car in Europe

You need to be familiar with the basics of renting a car in Europe before you start driving. The type of rental car you choose will play a significant role in your trip. These are some must-know tips that will ensure your trip is smooth.

Your insurance policy. Make sure your insurance policy covers international travel before you get on the road. You can find cheap international car insurance here.
You will need the correct documents. You will need a driver’s permit from your home country as well as several identification cards (passports and visas). to prove where you’re going and why. It is best to have all the documents you need in order to meet any deadlines.
Road Rules. Respect local traffic laws. Pay particular attention to signs that indicate speed limits, one-way streets and pedestrian crossings. Driving in an unspecified country can result in accidents and fines.
Parking rules. Many cities require that drivers park only in designated areas. Before you arrive in town, make sure to check out the parking regulations.
Gasoline. Gasoline prices can vary depending on where you live and what country you are in. However, it is generally three times more expensive than gas back home.
Insurance requirements. For rentals older than three years, some countries require additional liability coverage. Get more information from your rental company.
GPS navigation systems. Travelers are increasingly using GPS navigation systems. It’s important to be familiar with GPS navigation systems if possible.
Radio stations. Radio stations in your area might play music you don’t like. To change the frequency from English, press “0”.
Seatbelts. European countries make seat belts mandatory.
Road tolls Road tolls in Europe are very common. Most are payable at meters located at major intersections.
Speeding tickets. Speeding is strictly forbidden in large parts of Europe including Germany, Austria Switzerland, Italy France, Spain and Switzerland.
Tipping. Tipping is not the same thing in Europe as in North America. Tipping isn’t a customary practice anywhere in the world. Instead, try giving a round number like 10% – 15%.

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