Plenty of people around the state rely on rental cars because they come to visit or they need a temporary method of transportation while their regular cars are in an auto shop. Either way, you can still end up in a collision in a rental car, and it is vital to know what steps to take in the aftermath. 

Determine if you should get car rental coverage

When you rent a car, an employee at the dealership will offer to provide you with insurance coverage for the vehicle. In general, it is always a good idea to get this coverage just in case. It is usually a minimal fee, and it protects you in case any damage appears on the car, even if it is just a scratch. However, you should contact your regular auto insurance provider to see if your policy extends to rental cars. There may not be any need to get additional coverage. 

Get the information you need at the scene

Immediately following a collision, you need to get the other driver's insurance information and contact info, which is particularly important if you are from out-of-state. You should call the police to have them file a report. You also need to take photos of the scene, and once you have all this information, you need to see a doctor for a detailed medical report; you do not want to risk going back home when you could have suffered injuries from the crash. 

Notify the rental agency and your insurance company

Police determine who was at fault for the collision. Whether you caused the accident or not, you want to inform the rental company of the scene because an employee there may need to pick up the car. You also need to notify your auto insurance agency to help ensure the damages end up charged to the rental company or your insurance provider.