Getting into an accident while driving a rental car adds a layer of stress that most people aren’t prepared for. You’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and suddenly a confusing web of insurance questions, all while trying to figure out who’s responsible and what’s actually covered. Understanding the Hertz rental car accident policy before you’re in that situation can make a real difference in how you protect yourself and your ability to recover compensation for your losses.
At Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC, we’ve spent over 25 years representing accident victims across California, including people injured in collisions involving rental vehicles. These cases often involve overlapping insurance policies, disputes between rental companies and at-fault drivers, and aggressive pushback from corporate insurers. Our team knows how to cut through that noise and fight for the compensation our clients deserve.
This article breaks down what Hertz’s accident policies actually cover, the insurance options available at the rental counter, and the exact steps you should take if you’re involved in a collision. We’ll also explain when you may need legal help and how a personal injury attorney can step in to protect your rights when Hertz or an insurance company isn’t playing fair.
What Hertz accident policies cover
When you rent from Hertz, you can choose from several optional protection plans that reduce your financial exposure after a crash. The Hertz rental car accident policy isn’t a single document but a menu of separate coverage options you pick at the counter, and each one works differently depending on your existing personal auto policy.
Loss Damage Waiver
The Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) is usually the first option Hertz presents, and it’s the most significant. When you accept it, Hertz waives its right to charge you for physical damage or theft of the rental vehicle, as long as you haven’t violated the rental agreement. LDW is not insurance. Hertz can void it if you allow an unauthorized driver to use the car, drive off-road, or break any other agreed-upon terms.
If your personal auto insurance already includes comprehensive and collision coverage, it may extend to rental vehicles, potentially making LDW an unnecessary expense.
Personal Accident and Effects Coverage
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) covers medical costs for you and your passengers after a rental accident. Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) protects your belongings from theft or damage while inside the vehicle. Before adding either, check what your current policies already cover:
- Your health insurance typically handles accident-related medical bills regardless of which vehicle you’re in.
- Your homeowners or renters insurance often covers stolen personal property outside your home.
Liability Insurance Supplement
Hertz also offers a Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS) that can raise your coverage to $1 million per accident. California’s minimum liability limits are far too low for a serious multi-party collision, and LIS fills that gap if your personal policy falls short.
Your personal auto policy may extend liability coverage to rentals, but confirm that with your insurer before declining LIS at the counter. In high-value injury cases, inadequate coverage can leave you personally liable for damages that exceed your policy limits.
What to do right after a crash
The first few minutes after a collision set the tone for everything that follows. Whether or not you fully understood the Hertz rental car accident policy at the counter, your actions on the scene directly affect your ability to file a claim and recover compensation later.
Call 911 and Document Everything
Call 911 immediately, even if the crash seems minor. A police report is one of the most critical pieces of evidence in any accident claim, and California law requires you to report accidents involving injury or significant property damage. While waiting for officers, use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and any visible injuries before anyone moves the cars.
Never admit fault at the scene, even if you feel partially responsible for what happened.
Notify Hertz Before Leaving the Scene
Contact Hertz directly as soon as possible after the crash. Their emergency line runs around the clock, and delaying that call can give them grounds to dispute your coverage under the rental agreement. Before anyone leaves the scene, collect the other driver’s insurance information, license number, and full contact details. Also swap contact information with any witnesses who saw the collision happen.
How Hertz accident reporting and claims work
After you handle the immediate scene, you need to formally report the accident through Hertz’s official channels. The Hertz rental car accident policy requires you to file an incident report promptly, and failing to do so on time can jeopardize your coverage regardless of which protection options you purchased at the counter.
Reporting the Incident to Hertz
Call Hertz’s 24-hour customer service line (1-800-654-4174) to report the accident as soon as possible. You will need to provide your rental agreement number, the accident location, a description of what happened, and any police report number. Hertz will document the incident and send you a Vehicle Incident Report form to complete and return.
Keep a copy of every document you submit, including the completed incident report and any written correspondence with Hertz.
Filing the Claim
Once Hertz receives your incident report, they route the claim through their internal claims department or a third-party administrator. You will receive a claim reference number, and an adjuster will contact you to assess damages. At that point, follow these steps carefully:
- Respond to all written requests promptly
- Avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice if you sustained injuries
- Document all communications with Hertz’s claims team in writing
Who pays for damage, fees, and injuries
After an accident, payment responsibility shifts depending on which coverage you selected, who caused the crash, and what your personal auto policy already includes. Understanding this breakdown before you sign anything prevents costly surprises when the bills arrive.
Vehicle Damage and Administrative Fees
If you purchased the Loss Damage Waiver, Hertz covers vehicle repair costs directly. Without it, Hertz bills you for repairs, diminished value, a daily loss-of-use fee for every day the car sits out of service, and administrative processing fees. These additional charges can run into hundreds of dollars beyond the repair estimate itself.
If the other driver caused the crash, their liability insurance should cover damage to the rental vehicle, reducing your out-of-pocket exposure significantly.
Injury Compensation
Your health insurance covers your medical treatment after a rental accident regardless of fault. If another driver caused your injuries, you can pursue a personal injury claim against them for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Hertz rental car accident policy does not compensate you directly for injuries beyond the optional PAI coverage you may have purchased at the counter.
Mistakes to avoid and when to call a lawyer
Even people who understand the Hertz rental car accident policy make errors after a crash that reduce their final compensation. Staying aware of these pitfalls puts you in a much stronger position before anyone asks you to sign anything.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Claim
The most damaging errors typically happen in the days right after the accident. These common missteps reduce your payout or eliminate coverage entirely:
- Signing Hertz’s damage authorization forms before consulting an attorney
- Giving a recorded statement to any insurer without legal advice first
- Delaying medical treatment, which gives insurers grounds to dispute your injuries
- Accepting a quick settlement offer before knowing the full extent of your losses
An early settlement offer almost always favors the insurer, not you.
Signs You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Call a lawyer when you’ve suffered serious injuries, when liability is disputed, or when multiple insurance policies are in play. These situations involve overlapping legal and financial interests that are difficult to navigate without professional guidance. An attorney can gather evidence and negotiate directly with Hertz and other insurers, pushing back against offers that don’t cover your actual medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care needs.
Next steps after a Hertz rental accident
Understanding the Hertz rental car accident policy gives you a clear foundation, but acting on that knowledge is what actually protects your ability to recover. Start by gathering all documentation from the accident: the police report, your rental agreement, photos from the scene, and every piece of written correspondence with Hertz and the insurers involved.
Your next priority is medical care. Even if your injuries feel minor right now, get evaluated by a doctor immediately and follow every treatment recommendation you receive. Gaps in care give insurers a reason to minimize or deny your claim.
From there, speak with a personal injury attorney before signing anything or accepting any settlement offer. At Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC, we represent accident victims throughout California on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our team for a free consultation and find out exactly where you stand.