does rental car insurance cover a third party?

labmonkey

On Friday evening a guy in a rental car banged off my car. My car was parked, I wasn't in it, but it was just after happening when I came back to it. He did a bit of damage that'll take some panel beating and re-spraying, nothing too major.

He accepted responsibility straight away, we exchanged details and he said he'd contact the rental company and let me know what they said. He rang me later that night and said they told him they only cover the rental car, not third parties. Can this be right?

I always thought that third party insurance was the minimum legal requirement, but maybe rentals are different?

Can anyone help?
Thanks

coylemj

All cars need third party insurance cover, whether they're rented or not. Was it one of the mainstream rental companies? If it wasn't then I'd be worried if he was told that and I'd be contacting the Gardai.

Was it maybe a privately-owned car and your man is trying to pull a fast one?

CiniO

labmonkey wrote: »

On Friday evening a guy in a rental car banged off my car. My car was parked, I wasn't in it, but it was just after happening when I came back to it. He did a bit of damage that'll take some panel beating and re-spraying, nothing too major.

He accepted responsibility straight away, we exchanged details and he said he'd contact the rental company and let me know what they said. He rang me later that night and said they told him they only cover the rental car, not third parties. Can this be right?

I always thought that third party insurance was the minimum legal requirement, but maybe rentals are different?

Can anyone help?
Thanks

No, they are no different.
When you exchanged details, you took his insurance policy number so just contact his insurer and claim for damage you suffered.
You can also claim from your insurer, and they will recoup the cost from other insurer. Whichever way is easier for you.

K.Flyer

Minimum cover on a rental car is third party cover, optional extra insurance covers the damage and any excess including anything that happens to the rental car.
Either he has gotten it wrong or he is pulling a quick one.
He may only have the minimum insurance cover and knows that he will have to cover any damage to the rental car plus pay the excess on your claim, which both together could be a couple of thousand.
Contact the Car Rental Company in the morning and see what they have to say on the matter.

pixbyjohn

Contact your own insurance and give them all the details. They will advise you what to do next. Wait until their move before getting car repaired.

labmonkey

coylemj wrote:

All cars need third party insurance cover, whether they're rented or not. Was it one of the mainstream rental companies? If it wasn't then I'd be worried if he was told that and I'd be contacting the Gardai.

It was from a rental company that's in Dublin airport. I never heard of them but I looked them up and they're real! He showed me the rental slip with the company name and car details on it, it seemed legit.

I wasn't sure about rental car insurance as I've never rented one so thanks for the clarification.

I was thinking maybe he just doesn't want to put it through the insurance cos it will affect the rental price for him, he was very clear about accepting liability and that he'll pay for the repair.

coylemj

CiniO wrote: »

You can also claim from your insurer, and they will recoup the cost from other insurer. Whichever way is easier for you.

pixbyjohn wrote: »

Contact your own insurance and give them all the details. They will advise you what to do next. Wait until their move before getting car repaired.

Only if he has fully comp., otherwise there's no point in talking to his own insurance company.

labmonkey

pixbyjohn wrote:

Contact your own insurance and give them all the details. They will advise you what to do next. Wait until their move before getting car repaired.

This is what I was planning to do, so they're notified in case he is trying to pull a fast one, cheers