What to do in case of an accident or damage to a rental car: advice for drivers

Q: Can I reserve a car in advance?

Yes, you can reserve a car for your desired date in advance. Booking early allows you to choose your preferred car class and be sure it will be available on the day you need it.

Q: Can the lease term be extended if plans have changed?

Yes, the rental period can be extended provided that the vehicle has not been reserved by another customer. To do so, simply contact the manager in advance.

Q: Is it possible to travel outside of Kyiv or the region?

Yes, you can drive outside of Kyiv and travel around Ukraine. The terms of the trip are agreed upon when the rental is arranged.

Q: What should you do in case of a breakdown or an unexpected situation on the road?

In the event of any technical malfunction or force majeure, please contact our customer support team. We will promptly assist you in resolving the issue or offer a replacement vehicle.

Q: Do I need to pay a deposit when renting a car?

No, renting a car from ProCars does not require a deposit. All vehicles come with full insurance coverage, making the rental experience as convenient and safe as possible for the customer.

Q: Can I travel abroad in a rental car?

Yes, you may leave Ukraine provided you have made prior arrangements and have the necessary documents.

Q: Can I rent a car with a driver?

Yes, we offer car rental services with a professional driver. This option is ideal for business trips, events, or transfers and is available upon request.

Q: Is it okay to let someone else drive while traveling in a rental car if the driver is tired?

Yes, but only if that person is listed as an additional driver in the rental agreement. This is important for insurance coverage: in the event of an accident or other incident, insurance coverage applies only to the drivers listed in the documents. Therefore, if you plan to share the driving, you should add an additional driver right away before your trip.

Traffic accidents happen to everyone, even if you are a careful driver and always follow the rules. The situation becomes more complicated when the accident involves a rental car rather than your own. If you are involved in an accident in a rental car, many questions immediately come to mind: what to do, who to call, what documents to fill out, and who will ultimately pay for the damage. Let's take it step by step.

First steps at the scene of an accident

In any accident, the first few minutes are the most important. The safety and further course of events depend on how the renter behaves at this moment. The main rule is not to panic and to act according to a clear algorithm. Here is the basic sequence of steps to follow:

Stop the vehicle and make sure that it no longer poses a danger on the road.
Check the condition of all those involved in the accident: passengers, other drivers, pedestrians. If there are any injuries, call an ambulance immediately.
Turn on your hazard lights and place an emergency stop sign at the appropriate distance. This is critically important for highways where traffic speeds are high.
Ensure the safety of passengers: if possible, move them away from the road, especially if it is nighttime or visibility is poor.
Take photos and videos: damage to the car, general view of the accident site, road signs, traffic lights, skid marks, location of cars.
Exchange contact details with witnesses, if any - their information may help in the investigation.
Do not leave the scene of the accident and do not try to settle the matter “verbally.” In the case of a rental car, this almost always leads to bigger problems.

By following these steps, you will not only maintain order at the scene of the accident, but also provide yourself with evidence that may be needed when communicating with the police, insurance company, or rental company. Even if the damage seems minor, it is better to behave as formally as possible - this will give you a better chance of proving your case.

Notifying the rental company

Once the situation has more or less stabilized, you should immediately call the rental company. Most companies operate 24/7 and have hotlines. It is important for the renter to describe what happened, specify the location, number of people involved, and the nature of the damage. Companies usually have clear instructions:

if the car is not running, they send a tow truck;
sometimes they offer a replacement car so that the trip is not disrupted;
they advise on what documents to request from the police;
they explain how insurance works in a specific case.

If the renter does not report the accident immediately, it is considered a violation. In such a situation, even a minor incident can turn into a big problem, because the company will write off all the losses to the customer.

Traffic accident paperwork and documents

Properly documenting the incident is a guarantee that the insurance company will cover the losses and the rental company will not shift all responsibility to the renter. The papers issued after an accident are the main evidence for resolving financial issues, so it is important to be careful. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

Call the police immediately after the accident. This is necessary even in the case of minor damage, as companies usually require an official report.
Wait for the report to be drawn up: law enforcement officers will record the scene of the accident, write down all the participants in the traffic, draw up a diagram of the accident, and indicate the visible damage.
Obtain copies of all documents related to the accident: the report, diagram, certificate with participant details, and official description of vehicle damage.
Check the accuracy of the data: verify the VIN code, car number, make, model, and your personal data. Even a small mistake can lead to a denial of insurance payments.
Do not sign documents if you are not sure that they are filled out correctly. It is better to spend time clarifying than to prove your case later.
Take photos of the documents and save them on your phone or in your email so you don't lose important evidence.

If everything is done properly and both the police and the company officially recognize the incident, then the renter has a much better chance of avoiding unnecessary financial problems.

Who pays for the damage

The most painful question after any accident is who will ultimately pay for the repairs and all related expenses. The answer always depends on the insurance terms that were agreed upon during the rental. If another driver is found to be at fault for the accident, their insurance company will cover the compensation. This is the most convenient option for the renter, but it is important to have the correct documents from the police to prove your innocence. If the renter is at fault for the accident, the insurance policy taken out on the rented car will come into effect. In most cases, basic insurance does not cover all possible damages. It only protects against major risks, and the rest of the liability is transferred to the customer. This is when the concept of a deductible comes into play — a fixed amount that the renter must pay regardless of the amount of damage. For example, if the deductible is €600, then even in the event of serious damage to the car, the renter will pay this amount, and the rest of the costs will be covered by the insurance company. Another situation is when the renter has purchased a zero deductible package in advance. In this case, all costs are covered by the company or insurance company, and the customer does not pay anything extra. This is a more expensive option at the outset, but it removes financial risks and allows you to feel more at ease. That is why it is important to read the section on insurance carefully when signing a rental agreement. Many people try to save money by choosing the simplest rate and believing that they have no chance of getting into an accident. But the reality is different: even a minor accident or accidental scratch on a rented car can cost more than the entire rental with a full insurance package.

Scratches and minor damage

The most common situation after traveling in a rented vehicle is minor damage, which is sometimes not even immediately noticeable. This could be a scratch, a small dent in the door, a chip on the bumper, or a crack in the mirror. Such damage often occurs in parking lots, in the narrow streets of old cities, or during careless maneuvers. Rental companies have different approaches to this. Some have strict rules and deduct funds from the deposit even for the smallest defect. Others use special tables with rates, where a fixed price is set for each type of damage. To avoid unjustified charges, the renter should take preventive measures. Before leaving, you need to carefully inspect the car, paying attention not only to the bumper and doors, but also to the sills, handles, mirrors, and headlights. It is better to take a series of photos and videos in daylight and show all existing defects to a company representative. Ideally, you should request that all identified damage be included in the acceptance and transfer act. This will serve as official proof that the renter received the car with these scratches already present. One more thing: don't hide minor damage that occurred during use. Companies still conduct a detailed inspection upon return, and even a small chip will be recorded. When the renter honestly reports the problem right away, companies often meet them halfway and look for a more loyal solution. Therefore, the best strategy is to be attentive before receiving the car and transparent when returning it. This allows you to avoid unfounded accusations and maintain good relations with the company, even if the trip has left minor damage.

Deposit and deductible: what they are and how they work

Deposit and deductible are two concepts that confuse renters the most. At first glance, they are similar because both involve money, but their essence is completely different.

A deposit is money that the company blocks on the customer's bank card when issuing the car. It acts as a guarantee for the rental company: if, upon return, damage or unpaid fines for traffic violations are found, the company can withhold compensation from this amount. The amount of the deposit depends on the class of the car and the company's policy: for a compact car, €300-500 may be blocked, and for an SUV or business class car, €1,000 or more. If the rental goes smoothly, the money is unfrozen within a few days after the car is returned.
A deductible is a completely different tool. It determines the maximum amount that the renter must pay in the event of an accident or serious damage. For example, if the deductible is set at €500, even if the car is involved in a major accident and the repairs cost several thousand, the customer is only liable for up to €500. Everything else is covered by the insurance company.

Many companies offer additional insurance that allows you to reduce the deductible or even eliminate it altogether. It is more expensive, but it gives you a feeling of complete protection: if an accident occurs, the renter pays nothing more than the rental fee already paid. For those planning trips to new countries or long routes, this option can be a worthwhile investment in peace of mind and confidence. So, the simple rule is: a deposit is money on your card, and a deductible is the limit of your financial responsibility. And the better you understand the difference between these concepts before signing the contract, the fewer surprises you will encounter during your trip.

How to avoid problems with the rental company

Even when the trip goes smoothly, problems with the rental company can arise over minor issues. To save your nerves and money, follow these simple rules:

Read the contract carefully. Rental terms are often written in small print, but that's where the important details are hidden: the size of the deductible, car return rules, late fees, and what to do in case of an accident.
Inspect the car before departure. Walk around the car, check the body, mirrors, windows, wheels, and interior. Take photos of all scratches, scuffs, and chips and request that they be included in the acceptance and transfer report.
Follow the traffic rules. Violations often cause problems: fines are automatically issued to the company, which then debits the money from the renter's card.
Keep all documents. Police reports, receipts for fines, copies of insurance policies, and even emails are your evidence in case of a dispute.
Report all incidents. Even if there is a small scratch or chip, it is better to report it immediately. The company values honesty, and concealment almost always results in higher costs.
Focus on the company's reputation. Before renting, read reviews from other customers. Reputable companies value their reputation and are less likely to create artificial problems.

Following these rules significantly reduces the risk of conflict. Most unpleasant stories with rentals arise not because of the car, but because of the customer's haste or inattention. A traffic accident is always an unpleasant event, but it does not necessarily have to ruin your trip. If you know the algorithm of actions, understand how insurance works, and pay attention to details, even serious damage will not be a disaster. Car rental remains a convenient way to get around, and even in the event of an accident, all issues can be resolved in a civilized manner.