Car sharing is booming. In Germany, 1.08 million people already use car sharing services. But what do you actually have to bear in mind in the event of an accident involving a shared vehicle?
Before every journey with the carsharing car, you should carefully document any previous damage with photos and report it to the provider to avoid reductions in compensation and high deductibles. If an accident occurs, inform the car sharer and the police immediately, secure the scene of the accident with photos, make sure that only registered drivers are driving - and, if in doubt, use a specialised network of experts to enforce your claims.
Why you should walk round the car before every journey
Before you start using the shared car, you should inspect the vehicle and check for previous damage. The rule is: it's better to take one photo too many than too few.
If an accident occurs and damage is caused, the insurance company liable to pay will rightly ask about any previous damage. Without proper documentation, there is a risk that compensation payments will be reduced and you will quickly have the difference claim in your own letterbox.
Since mid-2019, DriveNow has even gone so far as to make pre-trip inspections and the immediate reporting of any damage found mandatory components of rental contracts.
As a general rule, if you discover any damage or defects during your tour of the vehicle, inform the car sharer immediately - preferably in writing before you set off.
Pay particular attention to:
- Wheel rims and hubcaps
- Exterior mirrors
- Corners of the bumpers (classic for manoeuvring damage)
- Door entrances (traces of jammed seat belt buckles, etc.)
- Loading edges (traces of improperly loaded and unloaded loads)
- Discs (stone chips)
Most car sharing companies have fully comprehensive insurance for their vehicles and therefore also offer protection against self-inflicted damage. However, it is not uncommon for a substantial excess to be agreed in the hire contract. Your photographic evidence taken before the start of the journey is often worth €1,000 in excess savings.
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Insurance cover in the event of an accident with a carsharing car
A basic distinction is made between private and commercial car sharing.
Private car sharing is the sharing of a private vehicle with others. Sharing cars are rented out via intermediary platforms, for example. The question now arises as to whether all drivers are insured in private car sharing. The number of vehicle users is often limited in the basic insurance contract. It is important that the private car sharer reports the use of the vehicle by several people to their insurance company so that you as the driver are covered. If in doubt, ask to see the insurance contract. Please note that an excess often has to be paid in the event of an accident.
There are already a large number of providers for commercial car sharing. Choosing the right car sharing provider is not always easy. It is important that you do not base your decision in favour of a provider on price alone. Take a detailed look at the insurance cover and include this aspect in your selection criteria. The car sharing provider's vehicles are usually covered by comprehensive and third-party liability insurance. If the user of the shared car causes an accident, the car sharing provider's insurance will cover the costs. However, there is often an excess here too. These vary between €500 and €1,500 depending on the provider.
Clarify the amount of the excess - both for private and commercial car sharing. Ask your car sharer about the possibility of reducing the excess. You can often significantly reduce your risk for just a few euros more in the contract.
How to secure reimbursement after an accident with car sharing
If you have an accident with a shared car, inform the car sharing provider immediately. Also call the police. Many car sharers require an accident report from the police, even for minor damage. Document the accident and the accident site with photos. Pay particular attention to brake and splinter marks.
Here you will find a compilation of general information on behaviour in the event of an accident.
Please also note that only the drivers listed in the contract drive the shared car. Some car sharers only allow the contract partner to drive the shared car. This means that if another person drives and causes an accident, there may be no insurance cover in this case.
Steps towards fair claims settlement
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Frequently asked questions about car sharing accidents
Why should I walk round the vehicle once before every journey in a car-sharing car?
This allows you to recognise previous damage in good time and record it with photos. This way, you can later prove that scratches or dents were not caused by you. This protects you from unjustified claims and high deductibles.
What do I need to pay particular attention to during the visual inspection?
In particular, check the rims, exterior mirrors, bumper corners, door sills, loading sills and windows for damage. Document everything with a photo. It is best to report the damage to the car sharing provider in writing before you start your journey.
How am I usually insured with car sharing?
Commercial car sharing providers usually have third-party liability and fully comprehensive insurance for their cars, often with an excess of €500-1,500. With private car sharing, the cover depends on the owner's contract. If in doubt, ask to see the insurance contract and clarify the amount of the excess.
What should I do after an accident with a carsharing car?
Inform the car sharing provider immediately and call the police, as many providers require an accident report. Document the accident site and damage in detail with photos, including brake and splinter marks. A specialised network of experts can help you enforce your claims.
