Rental Car Accident Claims in Florida

Florida's tourism and rental car volume means accidents involving rental vehicles happen every day, and sorting out whose insurance applies can be confusing.

Written by the Florida Injury Team Legal Content Team · Reviewed for accuracy by our network of licensed Florida attorneys · Learn about our editorial process

Renting a car doesn't change your right to compensation

Whether you're a tourist, a local whose car is in the shop, or hit by someone driving a rental, accidents involving rental vehicles bring extra layers of insurance to sort out.

If you were driving the rental

Coverage may come from the rental company's own policy, the rental car agreement's optional coverage you purchased, your personal auto policy (which often extends to rentals), or your credit card's rental coverage benefit — often in that order of primacy depending on what you selected at pickup.

If a rental car driver hit you

You pursue a claim similarly to any other accident: against the at-fault driver's applicable insurance, whether that's coverage tied to the rental or their personal policy, depending on what applies.

Why these claims get complicated

• Multiple potential policies can each point to the other as primary
• Rental companies and their insurers are experienced at minimizing payouts
• Out-of-state or out-of-country renters add jurisdictional questions

What to do after a rental car accident

• Get the rental agreement and insurance information from the driver if possible
• Call the police and get an official report
• Get medical care and keep every record
• Contact an attorney before signing anything from a rental company's insurer