LenaCars

Damage and cover

Car rental damage, cover and driver liability

Traffic insurance covers the other party. Motor cover protects the rented car. Neither is unconditional. Scope, excess and reporting are in the contract and the policy.

Ask about the damage process

Which cover pays for what?

Exact scope depends on the vehicle, package and supplier. Cover applies up to the policy limit.

Compulsory traffic insurance

If you are at fault, it covers third-party property and injury up to the legal limit. It does not cover damage to the car you rented. Anything above the limit stays with the renter.

Rental motor cover

It covers collision, rollover, fire, theft and storm, flood or hail damage under the policy terms. A statement without an accident form or police report is not enough.

Supplementary third-party cover

If the traffic-insurance limit is not enough, this pays third-party loss up to the extra policy limit. Above that limit, the balance stays with the renter.

Personal accident cover

It covers treatment, disability and death costs for the authorized driver and passengers, up to the policy limit.

What to do in a crash, breakdown or theft

There are three clocks. Call 0850 532 79 29 at the scene, and no later than 3 days. Get the alcohol report within 1 hour of the crash. Deliver the wet-signed accident form and original reports within 48 hours.

Without documents, motor cover does not apply. Amounts are in the contract. This page states no fixed penalty.

Outside cover

  • Unauthorized driver
  • Alcohol or an invalid licence
  • Leaving the scene
  • A false statement
  • The wrong fuel
  • Off-road or racing use
  • Overloading
  • Driving on with a red warning light
  • Handing the keys to a valet or car park without a receipt

  1. 1

    Make the scene safe

    Secure yourself and the area first. Place the warning triangle.

  2. 2

    Do not move the car

    Before changing position, photograph and film lane markings, skid marks and a wide view of the scene.

  3. 3

    Call the line

    Report a crash, breakdown or theft on 0850 532 79 29. Towing and instructions come from this line.

  4. 4

    Get the accident record

    If you agree, complete and sign the material-damage accident form. If there is a dispute, injury, a driver who left, damage to public property, or a single-vehicle crash, do not move the car. Call 155 or 156 for an official report.

  5. 5

    Get the alcohol report

    Get it from the police or a full hospital within 1 hour of the crash. The report is part of the file.

  6. 6

    Collect the other party's papers

    Photograph the licence, registration and policy. The insurer name and policy number must be visible.

  7. 7

    On theft, hand in the keys

    File a theft report. Hand in the original key, the spare key and the registration. Without the key the event is treated as breach of trust, not theft, and cover does not pay. The legal waiting period is 30 days.

Pages that complete the process

Rental terms

Recovery, excess, total loss and unauthorized use.

What does recovery mean?
It means claiming back a paid loss from the renter who was at fault. The insurer may charge the renter for what it paid a third party after alcohol, driving without a valid licence, or a contract breach. Loss that motor cover does not pay can be collected the same way if the contract says so.
What is an excess?
It is the share of the repair that stays with the renter under the policy, even when cover applies. The amount and when it applies are in the contract. This page states no fixed excess.
What are a total loss and salvage?
A total loss is when repair is close to or above the car's value, so the car is treated as unusable. Salvage is the scrap sale value in that state. If the renter is at fault, the gap the motor cover does not pay can be charged when the contract says so. The percentage and the deadline are in the contract.
Why does breach of trust void theft cover?
If you hand the car and keys to a valet, car park or car wash without a receipt or handover note, theft is treated as breach of trust, not theft. The insurer may refuse payment because you gave the car over by choice.
What is the load limit?
It is the maximum passengers or cargo weight on the registration. If that limit is exceeded and springs, dampers or the underside are damaged, the repair sits outside motor cover and warranty. The cost is charged to the renter under the contract.
Who pays diminished value?
Even a proper repair can lower the used-car price of a crashed car. That commercial gap is invoiced to the renter if the contract says so. The amount is in the contract.
When does loss of use apply?
If the car is in the workshop because of the renter's fault, the daily rent written in the contract can be charged as loss of use for those days. When it applies is in the contract.
What if an unauthorized driver crashes?
If someone not named in the contract drives, cover can fall away. The financial and legal result stays with the renter under the contract. Being in the right does not put the crash back under motor cover by itself.