A car accident is always an unpleasant affair that can cause both physical and financial damage. One of the possible costs is the replacement of the damaged vehicle with a rental car. But who pays for the costs of a rental car and what claim exists?
In Germany, there are various bases that govern the right to a rental car after an accident. These are based on damages, compensation and accident settlement and can vary depending on the situation and who is at fault.
But how do the claims differ in practice and what factors influence the claim to a rental car after an accident? Read in this article who pays for the costs of a rental car and what legal aspects must be taken into consideration.
Get an overview of the most important facts and rules that must be observed in the case of a rental car after an accident and become armed with the appropriate knowledge for the settlement of claims, regardless of the situation of the accident.
Liability insurance of the person who caused the accident in the case of a rental car after an accident
An accident with a rental car can happen quickly. But who pays in the event of an accident? This is where the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident comes into play. According to German law, every vehicle owner is obliged to take out a liability insurance policy. In the event of an accident, this insurance pays for all damages incurred, including damage to persons or vehicles.
In the event of an accident with a rental car, the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident takes effect. This means that the renter of the rented car does not have to claim his own insurances. The liability insurance of the party responsible for the accident pays for all corresponding damages. However, it is important to note that there are some exceptions if the accident was caused by the renter of the rental car.
If the renter of the rental car is negligent and causes the accident as a result, the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident may not cover the damage in full. In this case, the renter of the rental car must personally pay for the damage caused. It is therefore advisable to take out additional insurance when renting a car to minimize such financial risks.
- Liability insurance of the person who caused the accident pays for the damages incurred in the event of an accident
- In case of an accident with a rental car, the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident takes effect
- If the accident was caused by the tenant’s negligence, the tenant has to pay for the damage personally
Your own comprehensive insurance
After an accident with a rental car, the question arises as to who has to pay for the repair costs. In Germany, the principle of liability applies in principle, which means that the party causing the damage is liable for the damage incurred. But in practice it is often not so easy to find out who is responsible for the damage.
If you have your own comprehensive insurance, you can at least relax in many cases. The fully comprehensive insurance usually covers the costs for repairing the rented car. However, it should be noted that in many contracts an excess has been agreed, which the rental company can then claim from the renter. It is therefore worth checking your own insurance conditions in advance.
If you do not have comprehensive insurance, you will usually have to pay for the damage yourself. It is advisable to clarify in advance whether your own liability insurance also covers damage to rented vehicles. Because if this is the case, the liability insurance can take over the costs for the repair.
- Conclusion:
- If you have your own comprehensive insurance, you can relax and leave the repair costs to the insurer.
- Those who do not have comprehensive insurance should clarify whether their own liability insurance covers damage to rented vehicles.
- If in doubt, it is worth checking your own insurance conditions in advance and taking out additional insurance if necessary.
What to do if the opposing insurance company refuses to pay for the rental car after an accident?
An accident with your own car is annoying enough, but if the car is no longer drivable afterwards, you have to take care of a replacement car. This often raises the question of who will pay for the cost of the rental car.
Ideally, the opposing insurance company will cover the cost of the rental car. But what to do if the insurance company refuses to cover the costs?
First of all, you need to check whether you have taken out rental car insurance yourself. In this case, you can claim the costs for the rental car directly from your own insurance company.
If you have not taken out rental car insurance, you still have the option of paying for the rental car yourself and later trying to get the costs reimbursed by the opposing insurance company. For this purpose, you should collect all invoices and receipts in order to be able to prove the costs later on.
- First check whether you have a rental car insurance that can cover the costs.
- If necessary, pay for the rental car yourself and try to get reimbursed later by the opposing insurance company.
- Collect all receipts and invoices to be able to prove the costs later on.
Renting a car after an accident: what are my rights and obligations?
After an accident, it is often necessary to use a rental vehicle in order to remain mobile. But who pays for the rental car? If you did not cause the accident yourself, you have the right to claim the cost of the rental car from the person who caused the accident or his insurance company. The insurance company is obligated to cover the costs of the rental car for the duration of the repair of the own car or until the payment of the reduced market value.
However, it is important to note that the costs incurred are covered by the so-called “integrity damage” must be claimed. This means that only the cost of adequate substitute transportation, or a vehicle of similar size and equipment, will be reimbursed. For example, you cannot claim the costs for a luxurious rental car or for a longer rental period without actual necessity.
To ensure that you are reimbursed for the cost of the rental car, you should contact the insurance company of the party responsible for the accident immediately after the accident and state the need for a rental vehicle. You can also seek assistance from your lawyer or a consumer protection association.
- Notice:
- After an accident you have the right to a rental vehicle, if you did not cause the accident yourself.
- The costs incurred must be claimed within the scope of the integrity damage.
- You should contact the insurance company of the person who caused the accident immediately after the accident and indicate the need for a rental vehicle.
If you caused the accident yourself, you will usually have to pay for the cost of the rental vehicle yourself. However, an exception applies in the case of a vehicle rented for commercial use. In this case, reimbursement of the rental car costs is possible even in the case of own fault. Corresponding regulations can be different depending upon insurance contract, here a precise examination of the insurance conditions is recommended.
It is important to emphasize that even with a rental vehicle after an accident, all traffic rules and laws must be respected. Who commits an offence during the use of the rented car, carries also for this the responsibility and if necessary resulting fines themselves.
Conclusion: Rental car after accident
If an accident occurs and your own car is no longer roadworthy, the question of a rental car quickly arises. Here it is important to know who will ultimately bear the cost of this. In principle, the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident must pay for it if he was also at fault for the accident.
Regardless of this, it is always advisable to take out comprehensive insurance, which also covers the costs of a rental car after an accident. Thus, you are on the safe side and do not have to worry about the cost. However, you should also make sure that you do not use the rental car for an unnecessarily long time, as this can lead to the insurance company no longer covering the cost.
If you don’t have comprehensive insurance and the person who caused the accident can’t be found or doesn’t have liability insurance, you’ll be stuck with the cost of the rental car. However, it can be helpful to contact a good law firm that can help you in this case and, if necessary, claim damages from the person who caused the accident.
Overall, it can be said that it is important to think about the rental car after an accident in advance and to take out appropriate insurance policies. However, in the event of an accident, it is advisable to contact experts who can help you settle the claim.