Travel in Turkey: Renting a Car and “What to Do in Case of an Accident”

Car rental provides convenience for travelers in many ways, and one of the concerns that arises when renting a car is “what to do in the event of an accident”. So, what should you do if you have an accident with a rental car? Does insurance cover all damages? In what situations does insurance not cover the damage?

Enuygun.com has provided answers to frequently asked questions related to accidents for those who are renting a car.

The importance of insurance in rental car accidents

One of the advantages of renting a car is that you don’t have to deal with processes like insurance and traffic insurance. This is because these processes are the responsibility of the rental company. When renting a car, you should make sure that the rented car has insurance. This is a mandatory insurance that rental car companies are required to have. After ensuring that the car is insured, you should not forget to check what the rental car’s insurance policy covers.

Do not change the position of the car after an accident

If you have an accident with a rental car, first check if you and others in the car are safe. If there are other people in the car, ensure their safety as well. After ensuring everyone’s safety, you should check the car’s safety, and only after confirming that the car is safe, you should call the traffic police without changing the position of the car under any circumstances. You should fill out an accident report and obtain an alcohol report. If you are near a gendarmerie or police station, you should apply for a “witness testimony report.”

If you have had an accident with another vehicle while driving a rental car, first ensure the safety of your car and then ensure the safety of everyone in the other vehicle. Then, just like in single-vehicle accidents, if the vehicles are in a safe position, take photos of the accident without changing the position of the vehicles, and take a copy of the other driver’s license, registration, and insurance policy. You should also fill out an accident report and attach the accident photos you took.

In cases of single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accidents, after ensuring everyone’s safety and collecting the necessary photos and documents, you should inform the rental company that you had an accident. Because in case of accidents, different supplier companies may have different requirements and customer representatives will guide you on what to do.

Does the car rental company cover the damage?

The answer to this question depends on whether the fault is yours or not. If you are at fault in the accident, the “Loss of Rental” policy may come into play. This means that the income loss due to the repair of the car can be charged to you. However, if the car is fully insured, the insurance will cover the damage, so it’s essential to know what the policy covers when renting a car. In other words, if you rent a fully insured car, even if your travel plans are interrupted due to an accident, you won’t incur an additional cost in case of an accident.