What to do after an accident with a rental car in Spain?

An accident with a rental car in Spain is an unpleasant situation, but it is important to stay calm and act correctly. In the first minutes after the accident, the priority is not to argue, look for someone to blame or think about the deposit. First comes people’s safety, then documentation, and then contact with the rental company.

If you rent a car in Malaga, collect a rental car at Malaga Airport, use car hire in Marbella or rent a car in Alicante, the basic procedure after an accident is the same: make the situation safe, call emergency services if needed, document the incident, take photos and immediately inform the company from which you rented the vehicle.

The biggest mistake after an accident is trying to “sort everything out on the spot” without documents and without notifying the rental company. This can create problems with insurance, contract closure, responsibility for damage and further use of the vehicle. Car rental, sadly, does not work on the principle of “we shook hands in a car park, so the universe has officially registered it”.

Safety first

The first thing to do after an accident is to make sure that people are safe. The car, the deposit, the insurance and the holiday schedule are important, but they are not more important than health.

After an accident, try to:

• stop in a safe place, if possible;
• switch on the hazard lights;
• put on a reflective vest before leaving the vehicle;
• avoid walking on the road unless necessary;
• move to a safe place if staying near the car is dangerous;
• check whether anyone is injured;
• avoid moving seriously injured people unless there is immediate danger;
• call 112 if necessary.

If the accident happened on a motorway, fast road, tunnel, slip road or in a place with poor visibility, it is especially important not to create additional danger. Sometimes after a minor impact, people get out of the car and start discussing the bumper directly on the road. This is not a brilliant idea. A bumper can be replaced. A person, as humanity keeps discovering, is a little less convenient to replace.

The PAS principle: proteger, avisar, socorrer

In Spain, the PAS principle is often used in road accidents: proteger, avisar, socorrer. In English, this means: protect the accident area, alert emergency services and help injured people.

First, you should protect yourself, your passengers and other road users. Then, if there are injured people, danger on the road or serious damage, you should call 112. After that, you can help injured people, but only within your abilities and without putting yourself at risk.

When calling 112, calmly explain:

• where the accident happened;
• which road, street, car park or area you are in;
• the direction of travel, if the accident happened on a road or motorway;
• how many vehicles are involved;
• whether anyone is injured;
• whether there is a risk of fire, fuel leak or road blockage;
• whether an ambulance, police or firefighters are needed.

Even if you do not speak Spanish well, try to speak calmly and briefly. You may use English, show your location on a map or send your live location to the rental company if needed.

When should you call the police?

The police or Guardia Civil do not need to be called for every small scratch, but there are situations where official involvement is very important.

You should call emergency services or the police if:

• someone is injured;
• the other driver has left the scene;
• there is disagreement about what happened;
• the other driver refuses to provide documents;
• the other driver behaves aggressively;
• there is suspicion of alcohol or drug use;
• road signs, barriers, traffic lights or other property have been damaged;
• the vehicle is blocking traffic and cannot be moved safely;
• several vehicles are involved;
• the car has serious damage;
• the situation feels unsafe or unclear.

If the police come to the accident scene, they may prepare an official report. This can be very important for the rental company and the insurance company, especially if there is a dispute, injured people or another party who does not accept the circumstances of the accident.

What is a parte amistoso?

A parte amistoso is the European Accident Statement form. It is used when two parties are involved in an accident, there are no injured people and both sides agree on the circumstances of the incident.

The parte amistoso usually includes:

• date and time of the accident;
• place of the accident;
• drivers’ details;
• vehicle details;
• insurance details of both parties;
• circumstances of the accident;
• diagram of the incident;
• visible damage;
• signatures of the parties.

The parte amistoso should be completed carefully. Do not sign the document if you do not understand what it says or if you do not agree with the description of the accident. Your signature on this document can matter later when the case is reviewed.

If you are not sure what to write, contact the rental company before signing, if the situation allows it. It is better to spend a few minutes checking than later explaining why the form says one thing and the photos show another. Paper, unfortunately, has very little sympathy for your inner doubts.

Why should you contact the rental company immediately?

After an accident with a rental car, you should inform the rental company as soon as possible. This is important even if the damage seems small.

The company needs to know:

• where the vehicle is located;
• whether the car can continue driving;
• whether anyone is injured;
• whether roadside assistance is needed;
• whether a tow truck is needed;
• which documents have already been completed;
• whether the customer needs to contact the police or follow an insurance procedure;
• whether a replacement vehicle can be arranged, if this is possible under the rental conditions.

If you rent a car in Malaga, Marbella or Alicante, the rental team can explain the procedure according to your contract, office, accident location and insurance package.

Do not wait until returning the car to mention the accident for the first time. The phrase “we thought it was not important” rarely helps when a new damage appears on the vehicle. Cars, unlike people, are not very good at pretending nothing happened.

What information should you give to the rental company?

When contacting the rental company after an accident, prepare the basic information.

• Rental contract number or booking reference.
• Name of the main driver.
• Exact location of the vehicle.
• Brief description of what happened.
• Whether anyone is injured.
• Whether the vehicle can continue driving.
• Whether another party is involved.
• Whether a parte amistoso has been completed.
• Whether the police came to the scene.
• Whether urgent assistance is needed.

It is also useful to send photos of the vehicle, the damage and the accident location immediately. This helps the company assess the situation faster and explain the next steps.

Which photos should you take after an accident?

Photos after an accident are very important. They help record the condition of the vehicle, the position of the cars and the circumstances of the incident.

If it is safe, take photos of:

• the general accident scene;
• the position of the vehicles before they are moved, if possible and safe;
• damage to the rental car;
• damage to the other vehicle;
• number plates of all vehicles involved;
• road signs, road markings, traffic lights and intersections;
• brake marks, broken glass or parts on the road;
• the other driver’s documents, if they agree to show them;
• the other party’s insurance documents, if available;
• the completed parte amistoso;
• the dashboard, if relevant;
• the place where the car was parked or stopped after the accident.

Take photos from different distances: wide view, medium distance and close-up of the damage. You do not need to create a dramatic photo session called “tragedy by the roadside”, but clear documentation of details really helps.

What should you not do after an accident?

After an accident with a rental car, some actions can make the situation much more complicated.

You should not:

• leave the accident scene without documentation;
• hide the accident from the rental company;
• settle everything only verbally with the other party;
• pay cash to the other party without documents;
• sign documents you do not understand;
• admit fault if you are not sure about the circumstances;
• repair the vehicle yourself;
• order a tow truck without the company’s approval, unless it is an emergency;
• continue driving if the vehicle may be unsafe;
• return the damaged car without explanation.

A particularly bad idea is trying to hide the damage until return. When the rental contract is closed, the vehicle is inspected anyway. If a new damage appears without explanation, documents or notification, the situation becomes much more unpleasant. The mystery of a newly damaged wing usually has a very short life.

Can you continue driving after an accident?

You can continue driving only if the vehicle is safe, the damage does not affect control, there are no fluid leaks, no important parts are damaged and the rental company has not given different instructions.

Do not continue driving if:

• a wheel or tyre is damaged;
• the vehicle pulls to one side;
• headlights, brake lights or indicators do not work;
• oil, fuel or coolant is leaking;
• warning lights appear on the dashboard;
• doors, bonnet or boot are damaged in a way that could make them open while driving;
• the car makes unusual noises;
• you are not sure whether it is safe to drive.

If you have doubts, stop and contact the rental company. A short delay is better than trying to drive “somehow” and ending up with a second incident. One accident per day is usually enough, even for the very ambitious.

What if the vehicle cannot be driven?

If the rental car cannot continue driving after the accident, contact the rental company and follow its instructions. The company will explain how to arrange roadside assistance, a tow truck or other support.

Do not order a random tow truck yourself unless it is an emergency and the company has not given permission. The rental contract and insurance conditions may require a specific procedure.

If the vehicle is on the road and creates danger, first make the situation safe and call 112 if needed. After that, inform the rental company where the car is and what happened.

Does insurance cover an accident with a rental car?

Coverage depends on the rental agreement, insurance package, vehicle category, circumstances of the accident and whether the customer followed the correct procedure after the incident.

Car rental insurance in Spain may cover certain damage, but this does not mean that all costs automatically disappear. It is important to consider the excess, exclusions, package conditions, accident documents and the driver’s actions after the accident.

If the customer documents the accident correctly, informs the company immediately, provides photos and the required documents, the review process is usually clearer. If there are no documents, the company was not informed and the damage is discovered only at return, everything becomes more complicated. Insurance likes documents. It listens to verbal stories with all the enthusiasm of a brick wall.

When may insurance not apply?

Even extended insurance or an insurance package may not cover damage if the rental conditions or vehicle use rules were violated.

Insurance coverage may be limited or not apply if:

• the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• the car was driven by someone not included in the contract;
• the vehicle was used in violation of the rental conditions;
• the customer drove outside the permitted territory without approval;
• the accident was caused by gross negligence;
• the vehicle was used on unsuitable roads or in unauthorised conditions;
• the customer did not inform the rental company about the accident;
• required accident documents are missing;
• the customer left the accident scene without documentation;
• damage was hidden until the vehicle return.

The exact conditions always depend on the specific rental agreement and insurance package. That is why after an accident it is better not to guess, but to contact the company immediately and get clear instructions.

What if the other driver is at fault?

Even if you are sure that the other driver caused the accident, the incident still needs to be documented correctly. For the rental company and insurance company, documents, photos and the other party’s details are important.

Ask the other driver for:

• first and last name;
• phone number;
• driving licence number;
• vehicle details;
• number plate;
• insurance information;
• signature on the parte amistoso, if both sides agree on the circumstances.

If the other driver does not cooperate, leaves the scene or refuses to provide documents, call the police. Do not try to solve this kind of situation only with words. Words are lovely, but insurance companies, for some mysterious reason, prefer documents.

What if you damaged the car yourself?

Sometimes damage happens without another vehicle involved. For example, a customer hits a parking wall, post, kerb, gate, low barrier or another object. This must also be reported to the rental company.

It does not matter whether the damage seems small. If the vehicle has a new scratch, dent, damage to a wheel rim, tyre, mirror, bumper or underside, the company must be informed and its instructions followed.

If third-party property was damaged, such as a parking barrier, wall, fence or road sign, the incident may need to be documented and the police or the property owner may need to be involved.

What to do after an accident in a car park?

Car park accidents are common with rental cars. Narrow spaces, columns, low kerbs, underground parking and unfamiliar vehicle dimensions all play their part. Some car parks look as if they were designed by people who have never travelled with children and luggage.

If you damage a rental car in a car park, take photos and inform the company. If another vehicle is involved or property in the car park is damaged, collect the other party’s details or contact the car park management.

If another driver damages your rental car and leaves, take photos, ask about security cameras, contact the car park management and inform the rental company. In some cases, a police report may be required.

Accident in Malaga or at Malaga Airport

If the accident happened in Malaga, near Malaga Airport or on the way to return the vehicle, it is especially important to inform the rental company quickly. The area around the airport has traffic, exits, car parks, shuttles, taxis and vehicles all trying to be somewhere at the same time. A wonderful environment for human inattention.

When renting a car at Malaga Airport, check whether you can continue driving, where the vehicle should be taken, whether roadside assistance is needed and how the return will be handled if the accident happened shortly before the end of the rental contract.

Accident in Marbella

If the accident happened in Marbella, Puerto Banus, Estepona, Mijas or on a road along the Costa del Sol, the procedure remains the same: safety, documents, photos and contact with the rental company.

When using car rental in Marbella, it is especially important to consider car parks, narrow streets, heavy traffic in high season and routes along the coast. Even minor damage should be reported so the company can document the case correctly and explain the next steps.

Accident in Alicante

If the accident happened in Alicante or during a trip along the Costa Blanca, for example in Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Denia, Torrevieja or Valencia, you should immediately document the accident location and contact the rental company.

When renting a car in Alicante, many customers drive between towns, beaches and tourist areas. If the accident happens far from the office, it is especially important to send the exact location, photos and information about the condition of the vehicle.

Can you get a replacement vehicle after an accident?

The possibility of a replacement vehicle depends on the rental conditions, the cause of the accident, vehicle availability, insurance package and circumstances of the incident.

If the vehicle cannot be driven because of a technical fault not caused by the customer, the procedure may be different from a situation where the car is damaged in an accident. If the rental car is damaged in an accident, the company must first understand the circumstances, documents, insurance case and whether the vehicle can still be used.

Sometimes a replacement is possible, sometimes it is not. Sometimes documentation, towing or inspection is required first. So after an accident, it is better not to immediately demand another car as if the previous one simply decided to take a holiday. First the procedure, then the decision.

What happens to the deposit after an accident?

After an accident, the deposit may be held fully or partially until the circumstances are clarified, the damage is assessed, the documents are reviewed and the insurance procedure is completed. This depends on the rental conditions, excess amount, insurance package and type of damage.

If the case was documented correctly and is covered by the insurance package, the customer’s final responsibility may be limited according to the rental agreement. If the procedure was not followed or the case is not covered, costs may be higher.

The processing time may be longer than a normal deposit return because the company needs to review documents, photos, damage assessment, reports and possible communication with the insurance company.

How to avoid problems after an accident?

It is impossible to completely remove the risk of an accident, but it is possible to reduce problems after it.

The main rules are:

• first make sure everyone is safe;
• call 112 if needed;
• do not leave the accident scene without documentation;
• take photos;
• write down the other party’s details;
• complete the parte amistoso if both sides agree and there are no injured people;
• do not sign anything you do not understand;
• inform the rental company immediately;
• do not repair the vehicle yourself;
• follow the company’s instructions.

These steps help protect the customer, the company and the insurance review process. They also reduce the number of strange stories like “we thought that if the bumper was still attached, it was not an accident”. No, it is still an accident. The bumper was just optimistic.

Planning to rent a car in Malaga, Marbella or Alicante?

SOLO rent a car offers car rental in Malaga, Malaga Airport, Marbella and Alicante. If an accident, vehicle damage or another road situation happens during your rental, contact our team immediately and follow the instructions.

We will explain which documents are needed, how to act at the accident scene, when the police are required, how roadside assistance is arranged and what to do if the vehicle cannot continue driving.

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In short

If you have an accident with a rental car in Spain, first take care of people’s safety. Switch on the hazard lights, put on a reflective vest, move to a safe place and call 112 if necessary.

After that, document the incident: take photos, exchange details with the other party, complete the parte amistoso if possible, or call the police if there are injured people, a dispute or an unclear situation.

When renting a car in Malaga, Malaga Airport, Marbella or Alicante, you should contact the rental company immediately after an accident. Do not hide damage, do not repair the vehicle yourself and do not leave the accident scene without documentation. The more correctly you act from the beginning, the easier it will be to deal with insurance, the deposit and further use of the vehicle.