Renting a car is something that everybody will need to do at one stage or another; whether it is a budget car on a long-term car rental contract or a panel van for a house move over the weekend. As Cape Town Airport car hire specialists, we share some advice to ensure that you take the right steps after having an accident with a Cape Town rental car.
Firstly, before you get behind the wheel of the car rental, make sure that you fully understand the insurance policy of the car rental company, also give your own insurance company a call and find out if they cover you for rental cars and to which extent, if they do cover you fully, there is no need to pay for insurance waivers through the car rental company.
If you are involved in an accident with a car rental, the first thing you need to do is check if anybody is injured and call the necessary emergency services to alert them of the incident if necessary. Then call the car rental company to tell them of the accident.
The next important thing is to take photos of the accident scene, for evidence to support your case. Also, be sure to report the car accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
Be sure to get the following information from the other driver:
His Name and Surname
ID Number
VIN Number of his car
Engine Number of his Car
His car’s registration number
His contact information
It is also very important that you alert your insurance company about the accident and provide them with all the relevant information surrounding the case including photographs taken at the scene, as well as the case number from SAPS.
Don’t just allow any tow truck company take the car rental away from the scene, insurance companies, as well as car rental companies, often have partnerships with respected tow truck companies in Cape Town, if you let the vehicle leave the scene with the tow truck without the necessary authorisation, you will end up being liable for the full cost of recovery on the rental car.
If you are looking for an affordable car rental in Cape Town? See our car rentals available or call us on 021 386 2411 to speak to one of our car rental specialists that will gladly be able to assist you.