What happens if an anuthorized driver has an accident in a rental car?
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What happens if an anuthorized driver has an accident in a rental car?
So I rented a car and got insurance for both myself and a third party. I didn’t add my gf to the coverage because she already has nonowners insurance. We had an accident when she was driving and that’s when we started reading the fine print. Turns out that since I didn’t put her name down at the time of signing for the car that she wasn’t authorized to drive the car. When the accident happened I automatically gave the guy my information instead of hers, I was confused and shocked so I wasn’t exactly thinking straight. What is the worst that can happen if I tell the car rental company that I wasn’t driving? Nobody was injured and it was a very minor accident. I am absolutely willing to pay for any damages.
Asked on October 18, 2012 under Accident Law, Indiana
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The worst that can happen based upon what you have written about the episode where you were not entirely truthful over what transpired is that you will end up having to pay for the damages sustained to the two vehicles out of pocket.
I suggest that your girlfriend make a claim with her own automobile insurance carrier as to the accident to see if her carrier may provide coverage for the mishap.
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