Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, and can be especially stressful when it happens in a car rental. We go over the clear steps you should take in the event of a crash.
Check if everyone is safe
If you’re in a vehicle, make sure everyone is ok before you do anything else. Inspect the surrounding area and any other cars involved. In the event of an accident, pull over on the side of the road as safely as possible.
Contact emergency services
The emergency number to call in New Zealand is 111 if there are injuries or major damage. Wait until the police have arrived and a statement has been taken before leaving the accident site.
Exchange contact details
Once you have determined that the scene is safe, exchange contact information with any other parties involved. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information as well. This information should include:
- Name
- Phone number
- Drivers licence number and licence plate for each vehicle
Secure the rental car
You should move your rental car out of other traffic’s path and take photos of the damage and the accident site for your records.
Contact Us
If you’ve been in an accident, you should not leave the scene of the accident until you speak with us. Our contact details are located on your paperwork. An Accident Report Form will be required with details of what happened and where the accident happened, and should a tow truck be required, we will need authorisation for it. We can handle recovery if necessary, repairs and replacement of car if needed.
Damage assessment and repairs
In the event of an accident or when you return the rental car to the depot, whichever occurs soonest, we will inspect the damage to the rental car and calculate the cost of repairing it. You may have to wait a few days for this process to be completed and be required to pay the excess.
Roadside Assitance
You’ll find all of the necessary contact information in your rental agreement, but keep in mind that non-mechanical incidents may not be covered by basic roadside assistance, such as:
- Locked out of your car or lost keys
- Flat battery
- Running out of fuel
The terms and conditions of your rental agreement will tell you exactly what you’re covered for.
Financial liability
If you rent a car in New Zealand, you will have the option to purchase insurance that will reduce your financial liability. You may purchase protection from us at the counter when you collect your car. Alternatively, if you have travel insurance, your policy may include coverage for rental cars.
You can find more information on car rental insurance here or if you can go ahead and make a booking for car hire Auckland online.