Rental Car Accidents

Many people who rent cars waive the rental company's supplemental insurance because they simply do not believe they will be involved in an accident. However, accidents do not discriminate, and the chances of someone else's negligence causing an accident are just as great when you are driving a rental car. Motor vehicle accidents can be even more distressing in rental cars, especially if the car is damaged and you have suffered injuries. In addition, when you have rented a car, it usually means you are in an unfamiliar city with unfamiliar traffic and accident laws. If you are in an accident in a rental car in or around Miami, Florida, the attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz are here to help you. Our experienced team can help you apply Florida law to your case, maximize your compensation, and minimize your losses.

Insurance Issues Following Rental Car Accidents

The fact that a rental car has been involved in an accident generally implicates insurance coverage issues as the main legal issues involved. Insurance coverage can be confusing, but it is important to determine whose insurance will cover any damages involved in a rental car collision. There can be many possible sources of rental car coverage, including:

• The renter's own insurance policy - sometimes personal insurance policies provides coverage to policyholders when they rent a car.
• Credit card companies - some credit card companies offer automatic coverage when you rent a car using their card.
• Rental car company insurance - rental car companies are required by law to provide state minimum coverage.

The Florida Bar advises consumers that collision coverage offered by rental car companies is not insurance and is not regulated by the Department of Insurance. The bar further advises consumers to check their own insurance policies and credit card agreements to determine whether they are covered.

If you waived the supplemental coverage offered by the rental car company, you may have to fight with your own insurance company to try to cover the damage. Rental car accident victims usually lose this fight, and find that the rental car company ends up coming directly after the individual to pay for the property damage. This can be extremely stressful, especially in the face of any medical expenses, injuries, or other losses you have suffered in the accident. Our rental car accident attorneys know how to navigate complicated insurance policies and laws to help you get the insurance coverage you deserve.