Accidents can happen at any time. The most common causes of road accidents are unpredictable traffic, impatient drivers, and unexpected potholes.
When you drive your own car and damage it in an accident, you can simply take it to a reliable garage, file an insurance claim if applicable, and get it fixed. However, the process is not as straightforward for those who damage hired cars in accidents. There are certain steps to follow, and a slight mistake could make the whole situation extremely stressful.
If you are a PCO driver and want to know what happens if you damage a hired car, this article has all the information you need.
Things To Do Immediately After The Damage
If the car is damaged, your first priority should be capturing the proof, regardless of who’s at fault.
Stop and Assess the Damage
When you are involved in an accident, the first thing you should do is assess how bad the damage is. If it’s a minor scrape or a cracked light, that’s a good thing.
Take photos of the damage, road, and traffic signs from different angles. This will protect you in case your PCO car hire company claims that the damage is worse than it actually was. Without photos, your fate will be in their hands, and their version of events often costs more.
If the damage is serious and the car isn’t drivable, move it to a safe place so you are not blocking the traffic and call the emergency services. If you do nothing, you could be accused of negligence and forced to pay the bill for someone else’s mistake.
Exchange Details (If Involved in a Collision)
If you are involved in a collision with another person or vehicle, get their details immediately. Without the correct details, you’re flying blind, which could be costly. Here’s what you should ask for:
- Full name and contact number: Verify the name by seeing a driving licence or ID and verify the number by calling it.
- Insurance details: These include the name of their insurance provider and policy number. Again, ask to see proof.
- Vehicle registration number: This helps you confirm the car they were driving. You can also use it to trace their insurance policy if the information they provided was incomplete.
- Police report number: If the police are involved, get the police report number. This is your proof that the incident was logged and properly recorded.
Remember that people lie all the time, especially when they know they are at fault. That’s why you should verify all the details and call authorities if the other party gets aggressive or refuses to provide these details.
Notify Your PCO Car Hire Company
No matter how small the damage is, you should always notify your car provider. Hoping they won’t notice is risky and can damage your credibility. Besides, most PCO hire contracts require you to report any damage immediately. Not doing so could be considered a breach of contract and result in serious penalties, fines, or even the loss of your insurance coverage.
The reason is that the sooner they know about the damage, the sooner they can inform the insurer and get it fixed. Delays make the damage worse and increase the car body shops costs. As a result, you will be the one footing the bill.
What Happens After You Report the Damage?
After you have reported the damage to your car provider, here’s what typically happens:
Damage Assessment
The first thing they will do is assess the damage to figure out how much it will cost and who will pay for it. To assess the damage, they will likely send the vehicle to a reliable repair center that will document every inch of the damage and try to understand the cause behind it. Being honest during this phase is important because even if you lie, they will find out the truth anyway. Once they do, you could face serious consequences.
Responsibility and Insurance
If the damage is your fault, then you will need to pay an insurance excess. If the damage was someone else’s fault and they accept liability, then the repair costs will be covered by their PCO car insurance.
Remember that the car providers don’t just look at who’s at fault. They also try to determine whether the damage was avoidable or happened due to reckless driving/negligence.
If negligence is found, then you could be hit with more than just standard excess. You could be charged extra fees or have your contract terminated altogether.
Insurance Excess Explained
Insurance for hired or rent to buy PCO cars normally ranges from £500 to £1,500. This is the maximum amount you pay for at-fault damage. The rest is covered by your car’s insurance provider.
For instance, if the repair costs are £2,000 and your excess is £700, then you only pay £700 and the rest will be covered by the insurance company.
Can I Get a Replacement Vehicle to Keep Earning While My Car Is in for Repairs?
It depends on your contract terms. Most PCO car hire companies offer replacement vehicles for free to help their clients keep earning without interruptions. However, some charge an extra fee.
Keep in mind that if the damage was caused due to your negligence, the company could refuse to give you a replacement vehicle even if the contract states you can have one.
Conclusion
Damaging your PCO car is never ideal. However, panicking or hiding the damage could make the situation worse. Instead, you should inform the car provider as soon as possible. Make sure you provide the correct details because lying could lead to serious consequences. Also, stay active on the road and drive carefully. You cannot control what others do, but by managing your own actions, you can minimise the risk of accidents.