Hello Dear Friends,
Let me briefly share what you need to consider when renting a car, both under normal circumstances and in case of an accident.
IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT!
Report the accident to your insurance company. Most policies provide car rental services in case of an accident.
The insurance company will direct you to a rental company located near your address and arrange a vehicle with similar features to your car.
Last year, on a Saturday, someone rear-ended my car. They told me that a representative would contact me within 48 hours. I said I couldn’t wait that long and needed to rent a car immediately. I rented the car, paid the cost, and emailed the invoice to my insurance company. The payment was sent to my address via check.
I rented a car from Enterprise in Whitby, where my damaged car had to be dropped off. The representative stated that I needed to return the rental to their Whitby branch when the rental period ended. I strongly objected to this and insisted on returning it to the Enterprise branch in Woodbridge. They agreed, saving me the hassle of a 1-hour drive back to Whitby and another 1-hour drive home. I paid a $300 deposit with my credit card, which was refunded upon returning the car.
Insurance companies typically cover your rental costs up to a certain amount. For me, this limit was set at $1,500. If there’s no resolution for your damaged vehicle within the allocated time, you can request an extension from the insurance company.
If you think you may need to extend the rental, contact your insurance company in advance to request an extension. Don’t leave this request for the last day of the rental.
If the car you had the accident with has winter tires:
The insurance company is obligated to cover the extra cost for winter tires on the rental vehicle. The rental company may charge this fee to your credit card. In such cases, email your insurance company and request a refund.
FOR NORMAL CAR RENTALS
RESEARCH RENTAL COMPANIES IN ADVANCE!
First, research rental companies. Some may have hidden charges. For example, a company showing a daily rate of $50 might have mileage limits or charge extra for drivers under 25 years old.
Some companies may require additional payment for accident insurance beyond the provided coverage. They might also charge extra for a second driver or $13 per day for winter tires. So, don’t be deceived by low rates; carefully review the rental and insurance terms.
You can use these platforms for car rentals:
• Enterprise
• Uber
• Turo
• Expedia
• Kayak
• Budget
MAKE PAYMENTS WITH A CREDIT CARD!
Some credit cards offer free rental options and benefits for accidents or damages.
Prefer established companies. Even if the insurance covers the rental fee, they will still take a deposit of around $300. This amount is held as a safeguard against potential traffic fines or returning the car without refueling. This deposit will be refunded upon returning the car.
INSPECT THE CAR INSIDE AND OUT!
Check for scratches or damage on the car’s exterior and interior. Report any issues. The rental agent will inspect the car with you. When picking up the car, document even minor issues like a scratch, a window that doesn’t open, a tear in the seat, or a light that doesn’t work. Take photos and videos of the car inside and out and report any visible damage. (Even during heavy snowfall, I took photos and videos. Upon returning the car, they could claim, “This scratch/damage is your responsibility.”)
To avoid forgetting, check and document the odometer reading and fuel level when picking up the car. Take a photo. (You’ll be expected to return the car with the same fuel level.)
Return the car on time. Late returns may incur additional fees. For early returns, check if a refund is possible.
Review the rental agreement carefully and keep a copy.
You can find my other articles at www.ehliyet.ca.
Wishing you safe and penalty-free journeys,
Orhan Hoca
Licensed Driving Instructor
647 984 4682
#accident #insurance #car #rental #driving #license