When you rent a car, the last thing you want to deal with is an accident or other damage to the vehicle. However, accidents happen from time to time, even if it’s a rare occurrence. In this article, we discuss what you have to do if you have an accident or someone damages your rental car.
What Should You Do If You’ve Had an Accident with a Rental Car?
The first thing to do is ensure no one is hurt and there is no immediate danger. Move out of the line of traffic to avoid further damage or injuries. If somebody has a serious injury, call an ambulance (the general emergency phone line is 112). If the accident occurred on a road, use a warning triangle! In some cases, you also need to call the police; you can use the same number for that as well.
When Do You Need to Call the Police?
- If there is a personal injury,
- If your car has been stolen or someone has damaged it,
- If you or the other party involved are not Hungarian citizens,
- If you can’t agree on who is at fault.
What Else Do You Need to Do After a Rental Car Accident?
First, you have to fill out the Accident Report Form that was provided to you in a folder when you picked up your car. This folder also includes the registration certificate, the claim form, and a paper with the phone number of the Assistance Center. You have to complete the form even if your insurance package covers everything! Make sure all the details on the form are correct; check everything against the original documents. If the other party acknowledges they are at fault, ask them to write it down in the Comments section with a signature. Document the site of the accident thoroughly with photos or videos! What information do you need to specify?
- Contact details of the drivers involved (name, address, and telephone numbers)
- Details of the cars involved:
- Make and type
- Vehicle registration number
- Number plates
- The name of the insurance company and the insurance policy number
- Description of the damage
- Description and a sketch of the accident
- The exact place and time of the accident
- Visibility and road conditions at the time of the accident
The original blue and yellow form is yours; the other party gets a carbon copy. The second step is to call our Assistance Center. Call the following phone number:
+36 20 770 7732
If the accident is severe and the car is unroadworthy, we will send a contractor to tow it to the car mechanic. In any case, take the Accident Report Form, the police report (if there is one), and any other documents (if there are any), and hand them to our colleagues after the end of the rental period.
Claims Management
Claims management is a lengthy and complicated process. As the car belongs to us, the rental company, we will take care of it. You only need to cover the expenses if you are responsible for the accident. When do you have to pay?
No-fault Accident With Rental Car
If you are not at fault (no-fault accident), then the insurance company of the other party will cover the damages.
What Happens If You Wreck a Rental Car?
If you are at fault, you have to pay the casco insurance deductible. If the deductible is smaller than the amount of the minimum fee, you have to pay the minimum fee.
Stolen Rental Car: Call Us Immediately!
We know that the prospect of having your rental car stolen is terrifying. Don’t worry, it is very unusual in Hungary! If it happens, don’t panic, just call us immediately! We will figure out what to do and let you know right away. The same applies if someone damaged the rental car while you were away.