Steve Robinson

Dealing with a Car Rental Accident Abroad

Just because you are a very thoughtful travel planner and know how to identify cheap travel options such as cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, does not mean that bad things do not happen to good travelers.

Dealing with a car crash in a foreign country can be challenging.  The police or the angry person you may have crashed into may not speak your language.

Before driving off a car rental lot you need to ask what you should do in the event of an emergency.  Fortunately most car rental companies have an emergency phone number dedicated to dealing with car accidents.

Select European countries require drivers to wear an emergency vest, most often packed in the car, for visibility when exiting a car after an accident and standing on the road.

When faced with an accident make certain you file a local police report which will be needed for insurance claims.  If livestock is involved in the accident, get the name of the farmer and his insurance information since he is likely to have coverage for such accidents. 

Get in touch with your own insurer, whether your home auto insurance or a credit card company, to find out the procedure in filing a claim.

Prior to leaving for a trip where you will be driving abroad it is recommended that you:

·      Examine the insurance policies you already have, including home insurance, travel insurance, your personal car insurance, and any car insurance offered by your credit card, to determine if collision damage waiver insurance on foreign rental cars is included or if you can add it.

·      Make a point to learn about local road rules by looking at the website of transport authority of the country you will be visiting.  Ask your car rental company about any unusual road rules you need to know.  For example, in New Zealand it is important to know that left turning traffic must give way to opposing right turning traffic.

·      Do not drive late at night on unlit roads or when you are tired.  If you do not know if there will be lights where you will be driving, ask a local or limit your driving to when it is light outside.

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