Rental Cars and Out-of-Town Drivers: Insurance Traps After a Vacation Crash
From Disneyland and beach trips to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Southern California has plenty of vacation destinations. That’s why it welcomes tens of millions of visitors every single year. But when visitors rely on rental cars to get from point A to point B, they may be traveling roads they are unfamiliar with, dealing with traffic they’ve never experienced, and handling vacation stress all at the same time. When you’re involved in a rental car accident, it’s important to discuss your case with a car accident attorney in Southern California.
The team at the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates is proud to help accident victims, both those from California and those who were injured while visiting our beautiful state. We understand the stress of trying to manage a car accident claim from out-of-state, and we’re here to help. Robin D. Perry, Esq. is widely recognized as one of Southern California’s premier attorneys, and his experience with complex car accident claims makes him an asset to your case. Call our car accident law firm at 562-216-2944 to discuss your case now.
Why Rental Car Crashes Are Different
A regular car crash is stressful enough—and that’s when you know where you are, what your insurance limits are, and where you can get your car repaired nearby. When you’re on vacation, you may not have any idea where you crashed, where your car will be towed, or what your rental car insurance limits are. You may also be working against a tight deadline, depending on when you’re leaving California and when you have to return your car. That’s why we recommend working with a California car accident lawyer who can help you navigate your claim from outside the state.
Avoid Assuming the Rental Company Covers Everything
One mistake you want to avoid is assuming that the rental company covers everything. Rental agreements often include limits, exclusions, deductibles, and conditions. The rental company is generally focused on collecting payment for damage to their vehicle, not necessarily making you whole for any injuries you’ve sustained. If you were hit by a rental car driver, the rental company may not be your only source of recovery. The driver may also have coverage through their own insurance company, optional liability coverage, or other policies.
Don’t Automatically Decline Optional Coverage
When signing for a vehicle, drivers often decline optional coverage because they assume it’s unnecessary. That’s not always true, depending on what your policy already covers. Collision damage waivers, supplemental liability coverage, and personal effects coverage all serve different purposes. If you cause a crash and end up being liable for damages, you’ll want enough coverage to pay for the other person’s losses to protect yourself from being personally sued.
Remember That Credit Card Coverage May Be Limited
Yes, your travel credit card may have some extra rental car coverage. However, some drivers are unpleasantly surprised to find out that their card offers minimal coverage after a crash. Work with your car accident attorney to understand the limitations of your insurance policy and other options for recovery if the policy doesn’t cover much. Your coverage may only cover damage to the rental vehicle, not other types of property damage or bodily harm.
Credit card coverage may also be dependent on the cardholder paying for the rental with that card. Other forms of insurance or paying with a different card may affect whether or not coverage is available.
Out-of-State Insurance May Work Differently
An out-of-state driver’s insurance may apply after a crash, but claim handling may be different. California has somewhat higher minimum coverage requirements than other states, which may affect the policyholder’s claim. Furthermore, California law often plays a role in these crashes. You’ll need a car accident lawyer who can help you understand California’s comparative negligence rule and how it affects your case.
Unauthorized Drivers Can Further Complicate Your Claim
Rental agreements typically limit who is allowed to drive the vehicle. If you violate the terms of your agreement and have an unauthorized driver behind the wheel, the rental company or insurer may deny or limit coverage. Before letting anyone drive, it’s crucial that you know who is allowed to drive and what happens if anyone else drives.
Contact Our California Car Accident Law Firm Now
The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates are here to help you explore your options after a California collision. Call us at 562-216-2944 or reach out online to discuss your options now.
Attorney Robin D. Perry has been part of the Long Beach Community for over 25 years handling business litigation, employment litigation and advising, criminal defense, personal injury and code enforcement defense for businesses.
