Accidents can happen to anyone, even the most careful drivers. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of damaging a hire vehicle, it’s important to know exactly what steps to take. Whether you’re hiring a van for work purposes or a car for a family holiday, understanding your responsibilities can help avoid unnecessary stress or extra charges.
At Skipton Self Drive, we want to make the process as straightforward and transparent as possible for our customers. Our vehicles are fully covered with comprehensive insurance for one driver, but knowing what to do in the event of damage can give you added confidence during your hire.
At the Scene
If you're involved in an incident, your first priority should always be safety. Stop the vehicle as soon as it's safe to do so, switch on your hazard lights, and if necessary, use a warning triangle to alert other road users. If anyone is injured or there is a risk to others, contact emergency services immediately. Even in minor incidents, it’s advisable to contact the police to ensure there’s an official record of what happened.
Once the immediate situation is under control, take the time to collect evidence. This includes taking clear photographs of the damage to all vehicles involved, the position of the vehicles, any road signs or markings, and any other relevant surroundings. If there are witnesses, it’s a good idea to get their contact details. Write down or take photos of the other driver’s name, contact information, vehicle registration, and insurance details. It’s also essential that you contact us at Skipton Self Drive as soon as possible to report the incident. We have procedures in place to support you and will guide you through the next steps.
Know Your Coverage and Liability
When you hire a vehicle from Skipton Self Drive, you’re automatically covered by our insurance for one driver, which includes protection against accidental damage, theft, and third-party claims. However, it's important to understand the limits of that cover. As the named hirer, you are responsible for any new damage to the vehicle that occurs during your hire period, excluding fair wear and tear. This could include dents, scratches, cracked windscreens, or more significant damage depending on the situation.
In the event of accidental damage, you will be liable to pay an insurance excess, The hirers excess liability is £1000 (£1250 for Minibuses). For non-UK licence holders, the excess is £2000. For hirers aged 21-24 the excess is £1500. We always recommend customers familiarise themselves with the hire agreement before setting off. You can also take out an additional waiver or top-up insurance to reduce your excess, giving you extra peace of mind.
Return Procedures and Claim Resolution
When returning the vehicle, whether during or outside of business hours, you remain responsible for it until we are able to inspect it. If you’re returning the vehicle out of hours, we recommend taking clear, time-stamped photos of the vehicle’s condition and leaving it in a safe, legal place as directed. This protects you in case of any damage occurring after you’ve returned the keys.
If there is damage to report, we’ll ask you to complete a short incident form. This allows us to assess the nature of the damage and process any claims in a timely manner. Our team will always be transparent about any costs and work with you to resolve the matter fairly and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Damaging a rental vehicle can be stressful but knowing what to do can make all the difference. Staying calm, gathering evidence, and notifying our team at Skipton Self Drive quickly are the key steps to take. Understanding your insurance cover and what you may be liable for before you set off, helps prevent any unpleasant surprises, and we’re always on hand to answer any questions before or during your rental.
Whether you're hiring for a business trip, a weekend break, or a house move, it’s always worth taking a few minutes to familiarise yourself with your hire agreement and the procedures in case something goes wrong. At Skipton Self Drive, we aim to make every part of your hire experience straightforward, including what happens in the event of damage. If you’re ever unsure, just ask—our friendly team is always here to help.
Book your next vehicle today by contacting our team on 01756 792911 or book online here.
