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In 2015, there were about 2.18 million rental cars in the US and the rental car industry made revenue worth almost $28 billion dollars. The booming rental car industry has evolved exponentially financially and non-financially. Many rental companies offer luxury cars, customized plans and many insurance options to keep their customers covered. Despite this progress many renters face many problems in the rental process. Renters often consider the following issues while renting
- Liability – often times renters are confused about whether they should buy insurance from the rental company, will their own car insurance cover in the event of an accident, and whether their credit card company provides rental car coverage.
- Safety – Americans expect a certain standard of safety from rental car companies but are not aware of the fact that certain rentals rent out unsafe cars, especially those in foreign countries.
- Value for money – Many people pay for rental cars to make traveling easier during their visit to another place, however, if the car operates somewhat differently from what they are used to driving it can end up wasting their time. Therefore, many people stick to easy cars as opposed to luxury cars that have complicated functions.
Legally, the first two factors stated above are important. Renting a car can often mean that you are driving an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar location. In the case of an accident in a rental car it becomes even more complicated as you are not driving a car insured under your name. Therefore, before renting a car it is essential to know the coverage your insurance company provides; some insurance companies/plans might cover a rental car accident and some may not. If you are not covered, it might be a good idea to speak to your rental car company and get a collision/damage waiver that will basically cover any damage in the case of an accident. You should be aware that in the case of driving under the influence of alcohol or over speeding, the waiver would not apply. Some credit card companies offer primary coverage for rental accidents and some offer secondary coverage (to your personal insurance coverage).
Renters are also wary of how safe a car is for them to drive. Car rentals can be responsible for renting out unsafe cars, however, in some cases renters are responsible for not getting to know the car well before taking it on the road, especially if it is a car they are not used to. Traveling abroad can also expose travelers to unsafe rental cars. It is always a good idea to inspect a car before driving it and also buying a good rental plan. Always going for the cheapest car or the cheapest rental company might not be a good idea. Moreover, if the area or the road conditions of the area are not what you are used to, it is always a safer idea to hire a car service that can provide you with a car and a driver to drive you around safely.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident in a rental car, you may be confused about where you should be filing a claim or about how to deal with the huge amount the rental company is asking for. Due to the legal nature of the situation, it is advisable that you reach out to a rental car accident attorney in your state. If you are in Texas or California you can reach out to the experienced attorneys at Rad Law Firm. We look at all aspects of the situation and collect supportive evidence that can help you get out of the sticky situation as soon as possible. Contact Rad Law Firm today for a free consultation and strong representation on your rental car accident case.
