Yes, you can absolutely rent from Enterprise after an accident, and they specifically cater to this situation with insurance-partner rates and partnerships with body shops. Whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out-of-pocket, Enterprise offers options to get a replacement vehicle while yours is in repair.
If an Enterprise renter is involved in an accident, they should call the police to report the accident, then the branch from which they rented the vehicle or the Roadside Assistance line, 1-800-307-6666 should the branch be closed at the time of the accident.
If you have rental coverage under your own insurance policy — your insurance company representative will be able to help you with renting a vehicle. You should be able to get a car in just a couple of days. Call your insurance agent if you are not sure whether you have purchased rental coverage.
After an accident, the at-fault driver's insurance typically pays for your rental car if you're not to blame, covering a "reasonable" period (e.g., 14-30 days) while your car is repaired or replaced; if you have rental reimbursement coverage on your own policy, your insurer pays and then seeks reimbursement (subrogation) from the at-fault party, often allowing you to get a car sooner. If you're at fault or have no coverage, you'll pay out-of-pocket, potentially using credit card benefits, but you can negotiate with the at-fault insurer for coverage, especially for equivalent vehicle size.
Drivers who make a claim for an accident can expect their car insurance premiums to rise by around 20–50%. However, the actual amount varies depending on who is to blame for the claim, the severity and expense of the accident, and your overall driving record.
Most rental reimbursement coverage lasts a maximum of 30 days. This is usually plenty of time, since it takes an average of two weeks to repair a vehicle, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In some cases, however, car insurance may pay for a longer car rental.
You do not need to purchase insurance to rent from Enterprise because we include liability limitation as part of your rental charge. The liability limitation is associated with a deductible, i.e. the amount for which you are liable in the event of accident damage or theft of the vehicle.
Straightforward cases involving minor injuries and clear liability may resolve in about three to six months. More complex cases, especially those involving serious injuries, unclear liability, or uncooperative insurance companies, may take one to two years or more to settle.
The short answer: You do not have to pay for every little scratch, we measure damage using our damage evaluator. Only dents or scratches on the body larger than the largest of the circles on our tool will be charged to you. Tears, holes or cracks are considered damage to any part of the vehicle.
While it's likely that your premium will increase regardless, the circumstances of your rental-car accident may determine how much. For example, if you're at fault, your premium may increase around 50%, according to insurance information company PolicyGenius.
Will insurance cover rental car after accident? If you don't have rental reimbursement coverage and the at-fault driver's insurer refuses to accept liability, you can still rent a car – you'll have to pay for it yourself and seek reimbursement from the at-fault insurer later.
Rental car insurance can be worth it to fill gaps in your existing coverage, especially if you lack comprehensive/collision on your personal policy, have high deductibles, or are traveling internationally, but it's often redundant if your personal auto insurance or credit card already provides full coverage, including for "loss of use" and "diminished value," so always check your current policies first to avoid paying for unneeded protection or leaving yourself exposed.
If you are in an accident, your safety is most important. Please call 911 or call the local authorities for assistance and file a police report. Then call Roadside Assistance at 1-800-307-6666, which is available 24 hours a day, to report the incident after authorities have been engaged.
If your vehicle is totaled, the insurer typically pays for a rental until they make a settlement offer. Once they issue the offer, coverage usually ends. Keep in mind that the insurance company's rental car policy after an accident may differ based on whether you're using your coverage or the at-fault party's.
If you're involved in an auto accident—whether a single-car accident or with another driver—it's generally best to file a claim. This is especially true if the accident resulted in: Bodily injuries—to you, passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians. Vehicle damage.
You can negotiate with the insurance company after a car accident. However, negotiating without help on your side from a legal professional can decrease your chances of getting fair compensation for all of your losses.
The most common type of car insurance claim
Collision claims were the most common type of claim recorded in the 12 months to August 2024, with a total of 104,857 lodged – almost double the combined amount of the other top claims.