What To Do After a Rental Car Accident
After you are safe and out of danger, the Agreement requires you to report all damage to STARS and all accidents to both STARS and the police as soon as they are discovered, complete the STARS incident report, and provide relevant legal or process documents you receive.
This guide explains STARS rental terms in plain language for general information. The Rental Agreement and Rental Record control the actual terms of each rental.
What the Agreement says
The controlling concepts
- All damage must be reported to STARS, and all accidents must be reported to STARS and the police as soon as the renter discovers them and is safe out of danger.
- The renter must complete the STARS incident report form.
- The renter must provide a legible copy of any service of process, pleading, or notice related to an accident or incident involving the vehicle.
- Failure to complete the reporting steps is identified as a material breach and may invalidate optional coverage products.
What it means in plain language
Understand the boundary
Safety comes first. Once you are out of danger, follow the reporting steps without waiting for the size of the accident to be evaluated.
Keep copies of reports, notices, pleadings, and other documents connected with the event. This guide does not decide fault, liability, coverage, or claim outcome.
What the renter should do
Know Before You Arrive
- 1Get to safety and contact emergency services when needed.
- 2Report the accident to the police and to STARS as soon as you are safe.
- 3Report any vehicle damage to STARS and complete the STARS incident report.
- 4Preserve and provide legible copies of legal or process documents connected with the incident.
- 5Review any optional coverage terms and the Rental Record rather than assuming an outcome.
Common questions
Concise Agreement-based answers
Do I have to call the police after an accident?
Yes. Section 6 says all accidents, regardless of size, must be reported to STARS and the police as soon as they occur and the renter is safe.
Can a reporting failure affect optional coverage?
The Agreement says failure to complete the required damage and accident reporting is a material breach and may invalidate optional coverage products.
Agreement and legal-information boundary
This guide explains STARS rental terms in plain language for general information. The Rental Agreement and Rental Record control the actual terms of each rental. This page is not legal advice and does not decide liability, coverage, charges, or the outcome of a specific matter.
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