W e all know we need auto insurance for our personal vehicles, but when it comes to rental cars, many people decline the supplemental coverage. We assume that because we will only have the car for a short period of time, we don’t need to worry about this insurance. In some cases, this is fine — your current auto policy may cover you. However, that’s not always the case. You may have the wrong coverage, and if you have no coverage at all, this can lead to big costs following an accident (always read and understand your policy — don’t assume). If you are driving a rental car and you get into an accident, what should you do? At the scene, your first priority is to get your bearings and get medical assistance. Once you call the police and first responders, and if you are not badly injured, photograph the scene, including the damage to the car, the site of the accident, and damage to the other car and other property. Get contact information from any witnesses and cooperate with the police when they arrive. What to Do After a Rental Car Accident AVOIDING RENTAL RUIN After you leave the scene, notify the rental company. Your paperwork should outline what to do in the event of an accident. Follow their instructions to the letter. This can mean the difference in whether procedures go smoothly or if the company takes you to court for damages. If the rental car is damaged, liability coverage pays out for injuries or damages to other people involved in an accident when you are at-fault, but it may not cover repairs to the rental. If you carry full or collision coverage, these policies may pay out for rental repairs. If you lack any coverage, the rental car company may file a lawsuit against you to recover associated costs.
Some credit cards offer collision coverage when you use their card to rent a vehicle. Most rental car companies, at an additional cost, offer a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waives your liability when it comes to repairs to the rental, although you may have to pay to cover the company’s loss of income while the car is out of service. If the other party is liable for the crash, the claim generally proceeds like a typical car accident claim. The responsible party’s liability insurance covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. It should also cover repairs to the rental.
MEME CORNER
Cooking With Ashley
SPRING CHICKEN SALAD
Inspired by Food Network Magazine
Ingredients
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1/2 lb small red-skinned potatoes, halved
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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 romaine hearts, torn
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Kosher salt
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded (about 2 cups) 1 Kirby cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced
2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 1/4 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
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4 radishes, cut into wedges
Freshly ground pepper
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Into a small pot, place the potatoes and cover with water. Season with salt, cover, and boil until fork-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain and cool. 2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the chives, tarragon, vinegar, yogurt, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper to taste. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and pulse to make a thick dressing. 3. In a large bowl, toss the romaine, potatoes, chicken, cucumber, radishes, and bell pepper with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper.
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