When you rent a car, you have the option to pay for insurance. This is a good idea because you will have some form of protection against damage. The downside is that you are liable for damages even if you are not at fault.
Rental car companies have strict terms. They may charge you a lot of money for minor damage. It is wise to have a comprehensive inspection of your car before you leave the lot. You should also take pictures of the car so you can prove your claim to the company.
You should also make sure to call your rental car company as soon as you realize there are damage problems. You can find a number on the back of the rental paperwork. A representative can tell you what you should do next.
One way to minimize your risk is to agree to a collision damage waiver. These can come in handy when there are multiple cars on the road.
If you are in an accident, you should call the police and get a report. This will help you understand who was at fault and what steps to take after the fact.
In addition to that, you should make a note of what the other driver was doing at the time of the incident. The police report can be a powerful asset in a rental car damage claim.
Another smart move would be to get a copy of the car’s vehicle condition report. This can tell you what the other party is responsible for and give you an idea of the scope of the damage.