Car rental hypothetical got into a accident

The renter. So you. Your insurance company may seek reimbursement from the unauthorized driver's insurance company.

The renters insurance is responsible for providing liability coverage unless you purchased additional liability insurance through the rental agency. And that insurance usually only covers listed drivers. In you case, if your friend had a liability policy of his own, and depending on the circumstances of him using the rental, his one policy could be primary or secondary. If you friend was using the rental as a temporary substitute for his own car, then his personal insurance would be primary. Otherwise it’s on the person who rented the car

My insurance company covers me driving any car?

Bend over because you’re about to get it….

Former rental employee here:

You're responsible for everything. You violated the contract by allowing an unauthorized driver to drive the rental. The contract you signed to take the rental was for you and authorized drivers only to drive. The person he hit will pursue both you and your friend's insurance (if he has it) and will more than likely end up hitting your insurance unless your friend's insurance claims responsibility.

You'll more than likely get banned from renting with the company you signed with even if you cover the cost of damages.



I'm not going to lie, a good majority of rental wrecks happened because someone rented a car for someone else that very likely didn't qualify to rent on their own, so this story isn't very surprising. For some reason people would rather risk all of their insurance/more money vs. paying whatever the additional driver fee is.

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He gets into a wreck that was his fault. Who pays for the damages to the other person vehicle?

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Your insurance company is who the rental company is going to go after because the car was released to your person. It would be no different than if you gave your friend your car to drive and he got in an accident.

You would also never be able to rent a car from that company ever again. Unauthorized drivers are the quickest way to get a lifetime ban

Hertz will probably sue you for a late return of the car even though it's sitting in their parking lot. In any condition. That company is a disaster.

Liability follows driver, so your buddy will be liable for any injuries, etc
Your insurance will cover property damage to rented vehicle
You will be out of pocket for any loss of use/income to hertz or whomever while their car is being repaired/replaced
Pucker up amigo

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Your insurance company may seek reimbursement from the unauthorized driver's insurance company.

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His insurance could very well deny paying the claim then the op would be on the hook personally