An accident with a rented van: what to do at the scene

An accident with a rented van: what to do at the scene

An accident with a rented van is handled the same way as with your own vehicle, with just one extra step: you must report it to the rental company. The rest is a question of order. First health, then making the scene safe, then documentation. The insurer and the paperwork can wait.

Make the scene safe

Switch on the hazard lights and put on a hi-vis vest while still in the cab. Place the warning triangle far enough back against the direction of traffic so that approaching drivers see it in time. With a van standing in a lane, the risk of another collision is high, especially in the dark and in the rain.

Check for injuries

Look at the people first, then the bodywork. If anyone is injured, call the emergency services and give first aid as far as you can. Don't move injured people unless they're in immediate danger, for example from fire or another impending collision.

When to call the police

Always call the police if someone has been injured or killed. Also when there's damage to the property of a third party who isn't involved in the accident, when the road or part of it is damaged, when the damage is obviously high, and when you can't agree with the other party on who caused the accident. With a rented vehicle it's worth calling the police even in borderline cases. A police report will definitely make the insurance claim easier.

Don't move the vehicles until you've documented everything

If the accident isn't blocking traffic, leave the vehicles where they are. If they are blocking traffic, photograph the positions of the vehicles from several angles, and only then clear the way. Always note the position of the vehicles relative to their surroundings so it's clear who was driving where.

Exchange details with the other party

You need their name, address, registration number and insurance details. Photograph the other party's driving licence, registration document and green card — it's quicker and more reliable than copying them out. Say that you're driving a rented vehicle and give them the rental company's contact details, not your own personal details beyond what's necessary.

Don't sign anything you don't agree with

You don't have to admit fault at the scene. Describe what happened, but if you're not sure who broke the rules, leave the assessment to the police and the insurer. A signature under someone else's version of events is hard to take back later, and with a rented vehicle that goes double.

Documentation and what comes next

Accident report form

Fill in the accident report form at the scene and have both parties sign it. It contains details of the drivers, vehicles, insurance and a description of what happened. Without the other party's signature it is worth considerably less. Also include the names and contact details of any witnesses.

What to photograph

Take more photos than you think you need. The overall scene from a distance, close-ups of the damage to both vehicles, the registration plates, the road surface, road signs and skid marks. Add the other driver's documents and green card too. Your phone records photos with the time and location, which comes in handy later.

Report it to the rental company

Call the contact number in your contract as soon as possible. Our line is available around the clock. We'll tell you whether the van can continue, how we'll handle the rest of the rental and what documents the insurer will need. Don't repair anything yourself and don't agree a settlement outside insurance with the other party without discussing it with us. It's not your vehicle, so you can't do that on our behalf.

Excess

How much you pay in the event of damage depends on the cover package you chose when booking. It's a figure you know in advance, before you even sign the contract. You don't pay a deposit with us, so nothing is blocked on your card. That's exactly why it's worth giving the choice of insurance a moment's attention when booking rather than treating it as a formality.

The most common van accidents

Reversing. A van has no interior rear-view mirror and often no rear windows at all. Most damage happens in car parks at low speed. If you're not sure, get out and look, or have someone guide you.

Underpasses and barriers. The vehicle's height is a figure to memorise right at pick-up. Underground car parks, drive-through windows and ramps are typical places where vans damage their roofs.

Blind spots and width. The van is wider, longer and slower to accelerate, especially when loaded. Leave a bigger gap and allow for a longer braking distance. You'll find an overview of the vans, including their dimensions, in our fleet, and other customers' experiences in the reviews section.