Whether for a holiday or a business trip, you may be likely to rent a vehicle during your travels for various reasons. Rental companies can already be a nuisance to deal with, but this is especially true if you get into an accident while in your rental vehicle, even if it was not your fault.
You may wonder if you can still receive financial compensation in this situation. The answer is yes, though it can be more challenging due to the parties involved. These are some of the ways you may be able to obtain compensation.
Your own insurance
Your own insurance provider is always the first place to go for compensation. How much, if any, coverage you have for a rental car collision will depend on your policy. It usually falls under “collision and comprehensive coverage.”
Your rental agreement
Each rental company has its own terms on how to deal with an accident. Furthermore, what financial obligations you may have depend on if you purchased additional coverage through the renter or signed a collision damage waiver.
These protective measures may not completely absolve you of payment responsibilities, though, so be sure you understand how they work. They may only go into effect after your regular auto policy has done its part.
Your credit card provider
Some credit card providers offer extra insurance if you pay for the rental car with their card. Call and ask if you are unsure if this applies to you.
The other driver’s insurance
If the other driver was at fault for the accident, that person’s insurance can be another way to receive compensation for the vehicular damage and your medical expenses, because Louisiana is an at-fault state.
However, this also depends on how much coverage, if any, the driver has. It is helpful to have uninsured/underinsured coverage as part of your own policy in case the other driver is lacking, because state law limits how much you can recover in this scenario.
