What happens if someone else drives your rental car and gets in an accident?
Asked by: Brent Bernier | Last update: August 2, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (68 votes)
What happens if someone else is driving my rental car and gets in an accident?
You will be responsible for ALL cost of the accident for all vehicles involved. You will be responsible to repair or replace the rental car. Contact your insurance and discuss and options since you were the authorized driver and contact the rental place. Find a potential lawyer incase things turn worse.
What happens if my friend is driving my car and gets in an accident?
Insurance Coverage: Generally, the car owner's insurance policy will cover the damages if someone else is driving their vehicle with permission. This means that the insurance could pay for repairs to the car, medical expenses, and liability for damages to other vehicles or property.
What if someone else damages my rental car?
The short answer is that the rental car company will litigate, and you will be responsible for all costs associated with the repairs and possibly loss of rents for the damaged car, and more than likely, court costs.
Can someone other than me drive my rental car?
Yes, you can rent a car and list someone else as a driver without intending to drive the vehicle yourself. Most car rental companies allow you to add additional drivers to the rental agreement, but there are a few important points to consider:
What happens if someone else driving my car gets in an accident?
Is it illegal for someone else to drive a rental?
No, you cannot rent a car for someone else. The person who has reserved the rental is the one who needs to pick it up. However, you may be able to add a driver onto your rental contract. Avis requires the additional driver to sign a form before allowing them to drive the rented vehicle, and there may be added fees.
Can my coworker drive my rental car?
Any additional authorized drivers must appear at time of rental and meet age and driver's license requirements. An additional charge of $15.00 per day for each additional authorized driver will be added to the cost of the rental, unless other contractual conditions apply.
Does insurance cover a rental car accident?
Liability coverage protects you if your rental vehicle is in an accident that causes bodily harm to other individuals or damage to property. Your liability insurance from your auto policy will most likely cover this already.
How do I prove I didn't damage my rental car?
Send evidence of your innocence
Unfortunately, car rental companies have a “guilty until proven innocent” approach to damage. Send “before” and “after” photos and videos of the vehicle. You will need these to show that you didn't damage the car, so don't forget to take them while you're renting the car.
Will insurance pay for a rental car during repairs?
Yes, if you have Rental Reimbursement Coverage, your insurance will cover the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, even if you are at fault. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance will typically cover the cost of your rental car during the repair period.
Who is liable if someone else is driving your car?
Usually, a car insurance policy covers the vehicle itself, not the person driving it, and that means the liability coverage (which is required by California law) should cover the friend. California is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for an accident is the one whose insurance will be the primary ...
What happens if a driver is not listed on an insurance policy?
You regularly allow a family member or friend to drive your car, but they aren't named on your auto policy. If this person gets in an accident while driving your car, your insurance company will likely deny your claim, leaving you liable for the damages.
How does insurance work when driving someone else's car?
If you're specifically listed on the car owner's insurance policy, you'll be covered when driving that car – even if it's not your own. If you're not on the owner's policy, applicable coverage will again depend on consent.
Do police know who is driving a rental car?
The police will get the owner through ANPR. If the car was used in a bank robbery, they will contact the owner, who will have the name and details of the person who had it at that time. But on the side of the road, the cop can't know who the rental agency rented it to, unless he calls them.
What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance Progressive?
Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle. If they're involved in an accident, your auto insurance may pay for the damages and injuries, up to your coverage limits.
Can someone else drive my loaner car?
Who is authorized to drive the Loaner Vehicle? Only you, and any immediate family member living within the same household, specifically listed on your insurance policy, and is over the age of 25. Any additional driver covered under your insurance policy will need to supply a valid drivers license.
How long does a rental car company have to notify you of damages?
When a vehicle is involved in an accident you can typically expect to hear from Avis in a 30-60 day time-frame from the date of the incident. The time-frame heavily depends on the type and amount of damage the vehicle endured as a result of the incident.
How can I avoid paying for rental car damage?
Buy the rental company's collision damage waiver coverage.
While this coverage can be pretty expensive, it protects you from potential damage claims. If the car is damaged while you have it, the collision damage waiver will cover it.
Is not returning a rental car a crime?
Failing to return a rental car on time can have serious consequences, including hefty fines, legal troubles, and even potential jail time. It is important to prioritize returning your rental car on time and to carefully read the rental agreement before driving off the lot.
Does my insurance cover an additional driver on a rental car?
Key Points on Rental Car Insurance Coverage
In many cases, it will extend to other drivers, so long as those drivers are listed on your auto insurance policy. Your liability coverage should apply, but aspects like collision damage might only cover the primary renter.
Who is responsible for insurance on a rental car?
You don't need a personal auto policy to rent a car. If you don't have a personal policy, you'll be required to buy liability coverage through the rental car company. You will also have the option to add additional coverages, including collision and tire damage.
Does rental insurance cover accidents?
Specifically, the coverage can repair or replace damaged personal property, pay for medical bills, and cover legal fees. However, renters' insurance won't pay for injuries resulting from intentional injury or damage.
What happens if a rental car is driven by someone else?
If an unauthorized driver is in control of the vehicle, all insurance plans or coverage options offered by the rental company are null and void.
Do rental cars have cameras?
The most common camera found in rental cars is the rear view camera, which is meant to help drivers when backing up their vehicles. Located at the back of the car, they allow us to see what has been behind, to avoid collisions and easy parking in small places.
Can someone else drive my rental car Enterprise?
Authorized Drivers other than Subscriber have no right to execute a Rental Agreement; such Authorized Drivers may only operate the Vehicle rented by Subscriber pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable Rental Agreement.