Rental Car Accidents in San Diego

Getting into a car accident in San Diego can be incredibly stressful. Things can become even more complicated when your accident involves a rental car.

Several factors can come into play when you attempt to recover compensation for your crash-related damages - including what type of insurance coverage was in place and whether a driver listed on the rental car agreement was at the wheel at the time of the crash.

How Does Insurance Work When You Are Involved in a Crash With a  Rental Car?

California has strict car insurance requirements. All vehicles—owned, leased, or rented—must satisfy the state minimum requirements before they can be driven in cities like San Diego.

When you rent a car, the rental company typically offers the option of purchasing insurance to cover the vehicle while it’s under your control.

Coverage options might include:

• Supplemental liability insurance (SLI), which can cover other people’s damages if you cause an accident while driving the rental
• Personal accident insurance (PAI), which pays for medical bills and/or accidental deaths caused by a rental car accident
• Personal effects coverage (PEC), which covers damage to or theft of personal property in your rental vehicle
• Collision damage waiver (CDW), which removes your liability for any damage to a vehicle while it’s in your care

You do not need to purchase the rental company’s insurance if you have your own. Typically, your personal car insurance policy will cover you when you’re driving a rental car.

At the end of the day, whoever causes a car accident will be responsible for resulting damages. More specifically, the at-fault party’s insurance company will be on the hook for damages. So, if you cause an accident while driving a rental car in San Diego, your insurance company (via the rental company or your own personal policy) will be responsible for your injuries, as well as the damages suffered by other parties.

If someone else causes a car accident while you’re in a rental, you’ll have the opportunity to seek compensation from their personal insurance provider.

What Happens If Someone Who Isn’t on the Rental Agreement Is Driving at the Time of a Collision?

You’ll sign a lot of documents when you rent a car in San Diego. On one of these documents, you’ll list every person who is expected to drive the car while it’s in your control. These are the only individuals who will technically be covered by your rental contract.

If an unauthorized driver is at the wheel at the time of a collision, it can potentially create liability issues. The rental company and/or the insurance carrier might decline to pay for crash-related damages. It will all depend on who is driving and their relation to the primary driver.

Get Help After a Rental Car Accident in San Diego

Don’t hesitate to ask for help after an accident involving a rental vehicle in San Diego, California. Whether you were driving the rental or got hit by a rental car, Singleton Schreiber can help you understand your legal rights and options.

Our San Diego accident lawyers have decades of experience handling complex personal injury disputes involving insurance companies, government agencies, and negligent motorists. We’ve helped our clients win billions by being the fearless advocates they need after life-changing accidents.

You’ll have a limited time to seek compensation after a rental car accident in San Diego, so reach out to our San Diego injury attorneys to set a time for a free consultation now.