CAR RENTAL INSURANCE: WHAT TO KNOW
What do you know about car rental insurance? If you have rented a car in the past you know it is an upcharge from the rental company. Yet, they require you to have insurance on your rental car and it’s important in case of an accident.
With spring around the corner, there will be more people traveling and renting cars. It is important to know your options when you get to the rental car counter.
Car Rental Insurance Options
First, every car rental company has insurance options available. Typically, you will have four types of coverage to choose from before you rent the car. These options include:
- Collision damage waiver (CDW) – Protects the renter from financial responsibility for damage from an accident, theft, and fees from loss of use.
- Liability protection – covers the renter for damages to other vehicles or property. Also, protects against lawsuits.
- Personal accident insurance – This insurance covers medical costs for you and your passengers if you are in an accident.
- Personal effects coverage – If someone breaks into the car it will reimburse you for items stolen from inside the rental car.
Alternate Coverage and Insurance
Incidentally, the coverage offered by the car rental companies can be costly. Especially, if you did not include this extra charge in your trip budget. Before purchasing all or some of these insurance options you should check into coverage may already have.
More specifically, you should review your auto insurance and coverage your credit card offers when renting a car.
- Personal Auto Insurance – You can start by checking your policy by calling your insurance company or you can check online. Most policies cover you when you rent a car. Provided that, you are not using it for business or traveling outside the US.
- Credit Card Coverage – A lot of major credits cards will cover damage to a rental car or even theft. However, coverages may vary so it is important to check with your credit card company to verify coverage.
Liability IN RENTAL CAR ACCIDENT
How does liability work if you have an accident in your rental car? Luckily, liability is the same as an accident in your own personal car. Basically, you are liable for damages if you cause an accident with another driver. This is where your personal coverage or coverage purchased through the car rental company comes into play.
Typically, if you are not at-fault for the accident then the negligent party will be liable. However, with most rental car agreements you are still responsible for damages to the vehicle. In this case, an auto accident attorney like RHINO Lawyers can help with your claim.
CONTACT TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
After a car accident, you may not know your rights. Don’t struggle through the process alone. Our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. Get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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DROWSY DRIVING
There are countless causes for car accidents but the cause that usually flies under the radar is drowsy driving. Driving while drowsy or fatigued can be very dangerous with deadly consequences. Yet, a poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found 60% of drivers admitted to driving drowsy.
Florida has designated the first week of September as “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week.” Though, it is always good to get reminders throughout the year of its dangers. Here are things you may not know about driving while drowsy.
Effects of Drowsiness
Driving when you’re tired produces effects similar to the effects of alcohol. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation found driving after being awake for 18 straight hours has effects equal to a .05 BAC. Considering, the BAC limit in Florida is .08% or more you want to avoid driving without sleep.
Here are a few effects of tiredness fatigue.
- Your reaction time is slowed
- Vision and judgment
- Impaired senses
- Nodding off or falling asleep
drowsy driving Warning Signs
Everyone should know when they feel tired and need rest. However, we sometimes ignore the signs of fatigue and drowsiness. These are some signs your body needs to rest:
- Your eyes get heavy or you have a hard time focusing
- Mind-wandering or daydreaming
- can’t remember the last few miles or you miss exits
- Yawning
- Drifting in your lane or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
Drowsy Driving Prevention Tips
While getting a complete night’s rest is the best way to prevent driving drowsy, there are other steps you can take. We put together some tips to help you avoid driving drowsy.
- Do not drive after taking medication that causes drowsiness. Check the label of the medicine so you do not drive impaired.
- Take breaks every few hours on long trips and alternate drivers.
- Coffee or caffeine can help with alertness for short periods.
- Try not to drive during the hours you normally sleep.
- On long road trips use rest areas. These are perfect for taking a break from the road.
- Before starting your trip rest up. Especially, if you have been up for an extended period of time like 24 hours.
CONTACT TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
After a car accident, you may not know your rights. Don’t struggle through the process alone. Our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. Get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you for choosing us! Even though we are not part of your family, we want you to know that you are part of our family at RHINO Lawyers, and we are grateful for your business. Hopefully, this note finds you well on this special day. Enjoy your time with your loved ones.
Here is a delicious cupcake recipe to enjoy with the ones you love. As always, let us know if there is anything, we can do for you, and we’ll be happy to help.
valentine’s day red velvet cupcakes
by pinkspoonula | Courtesy: Allrecipes
READY IN: 50mins SERVES: 20
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 fluid ounce red food coloring
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
- First, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Then, grease two 12 cup muffin pans or line with 20 paper baking cups.
- Secondly, in a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring, and vanilla. After, stir in the baking soda and vinegar. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and salt; stir into the batter just until blended.
- Thirdly, spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
- Next, bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Then, cool in the pan set over a wire rack. Finally, when cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter and frost with white or cream cheese frosting.
CONTACT
After a car accident, you may not know your rights. Don’t struggle through the process alone. Our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. Get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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MY TEEN GOT A TICKET
Your teen driver just received their first traffic ticket. What should they expect? Consequently, teenagers have the same three options every driver has when they receive a traffic ticket.
The best option for teenage drivers as well as everyone on the else is to avoid traffic violations. However, even the most careful driver makes a mistake occasionally. Therefore, knowing their options is important.
Ticket Options
Typically, you or your teen have the following three options available for handling a traffic ticket. Yet, it will depend on your situation when selecting the best option.
- Pay the ticket – This is the worst option for moving violations. Remember paying the ticket may also result in points on their driver’s license and an increase in insurance costs for the next three years. Incidentally, it is the opposite for non-moving violations.
- Pay the ticket and elect traffic school – This means you or your teen will pay the ticket and pay the cost of traffic school. This could help your teen keep points off their license. While traffic school is available online, they still need to spend the four-hour equivalent of being in a classroom.
- Fight the ticket – This means that your teen will not have to pay the ticket until the end of their trial. Yet, if the ticket gets dismissed, they will not have to the fine and can keep their driving record clean.
Please keep in mind. The law does not allow a minor to hire an attorney, so as the parent or guardian you will need to hire the attorney for them.
Other LAWS for Teen Drivers
In addition, to the normal traffic laws, minors have other laws to follow to protect their right to drive. These laws also have penalties for teenage drivers that violate them.
- No Moving Violation Convictions – Minor’s that receive a moving violation while they have their learner’s permit will extend the time of the learner’s permit for a year from the conviction or till the age of 18.
- School Attendance – Not attending school could suspend their driving privilege or keep them from getting their license until they can provide proof, they have attended school for a minimum of 30 days in a row.
- Using Alcohol – Florida has a zero-tolerance policy. Drivers under 21 caught with a .02% or more will receive an automatic 6-month suspension of their license. If they get caught twice, they lose it for one year.
- 6+ points in 12 months – Your teen will have their license restricted to “business only” driving for a 12-month period or until the age of 18.
- Tobacco Possession Conviction – Minor’s convicted of tobacco possession will have their license revoked for a minimum of 30 days.
CONTACT TAMPA TRAFFIC TICKET ATTORNEY
RHINO Lawyers can help and guide you through a system that has been molded by law enforcement, judges, and lawyers for decades. Having won cases for our clients in similar circumstances, our criminal defense team knows what it takes to fight on your behalf.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. Get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
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HANDLING AN ACCIDENT WITH UNINSURED DRIVER
Car accidents occur on our roadways every day in Tampa. But, do you know what to do when an uninsured driver causes the accident? Yes, that’s correct we share the road with uninsured drivers. Even though, almost every state requires minimum liability insurance for your car.
As a matter of fact, the Insurance Research Council says 1 in 8 drivers in this country do not have auto insurance. That is the one person you do not want to have an accident with. Just in case, we put together some basic tips in case it happens.
Tips for after being hit by an Uninsured Driver
Imagine, you’re driving to work and you stop at a red light. You hear screeching tires and then you feel yourself thrown forward. Unfortunately, another driver just rear-ended you.
Once you have moved your cars to a safe area, you exit the car to assess the damages and talk to the other driver. Incidentally, your car is badly damaged and the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. However, you know to follow these tips:
- Call the Police – Always call the police when in an auto accident. They will file an accident report. More importantly, you will need this report when you file your claim.
- Never Except Money – An uninsured driver knows they are facing substantial fines. Therefore, they may offer you money to avoid having the law involved. Don’t accept. It is too early to know how much your injuries will cost.
- Exchange Information – Even though they do not have insurance, you will need their contact and vehicle details. Furthermore, you should get the contact information from any witnesses.
- Document the Details – You will need to write down the other driver’s vehicle information, time and location of the accident, and the officer’s name with a badge number. Also, try to document any details that may help when you file your claim.
- Take Pictures – You should take pictures of the accident scene. Include photos of the damage to each car, the license plate of the other driver, and traffic signs.
UNINSURED MOTORIST CLAIM IN NO-FAULT STATE
In a “no-fault” state your insurance company will cover things like medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. However, they will only cover up to the limits of your coverage. As for your auto repairs, you would need separate collision coverage.
In this situation, you could use your health insurance for your medical bills. Then you could use your collision coverage for repairs needed for your vehicle. However, you will be responsible for the deductibles and you can forget about any lost wages.
As a result, it would be beneficial for all drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist insurance. It’s a good way to counter an otherwise terrible situation. So, if a driver that doesn’t have insurance hits you, your UM insurance will cover you. It’s relatively inexpensive, so buy as much as you reasonably can.
CONTACT
After a car accident, you may not know your rights. Don’t struggle through the process alone. Our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. Get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
Read More