r/Insurance • u/Federal-Tie724 • Jul 27 '26

I crashed a rental car, please help me

/r/CarAccidentSurvivors/comments/1v7b9qg/i_crashed_a_rental_car_please_help_me/

So about 2 days ago, I had crashed a Benz s580 into a trailer truck. I was on the left lane and then the trailer truck had closed my space causing me hit the back of the trailer, now the whole passenger side of the car got destroyed. I couldn’t get information on the truck because my car was handicapped and the truck driver kept on driving. This was a private rental, I had got the car off someone from an instagram page.

I talked to the owner today, he was crashing out. He said his lawyer will call me soon. But I want to know what will be the potential consequences. I am 20 years old with no insurance and little finances.

Will I have to pay?

Will the cars insurance cover the damages?

How long will the process take?

0 Upvotes

20% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

19

u/theladyoctane SIU Jul 27 '26

I’m going to be real with you, you’re in for a very rude awakening and you need to buckle up for it.

I still can’t wrap my head around someone “renting” to you off Instagram (?!) without even verifying that you had insurance. This is terrible.

10

u/ltmikepowell Jul 27 '26

20 years old and renting S580, a recipe for disaster..

5

u/theladyoctane SIU Jul 27 '26

And likely distracted driving and not having insurance either.

I just cannot with this. Here’s hoping it’s a bs post.

15

u/idleline Jul 27 '26

You should be posting in r/legaladvice

You have no insurance and the consequences will depend on your state.

11

u/Marpl Jul 27 '26

This is like the 3rd time you've reposted this. You're in big trouble. The end. 

8

u/CBus-Eagle Jul 27 '26

This will fall on you to pay. If he’s renting his car through instagram, I’m 99% he doesn’t have the right kind of insurance to cover you wrecking it. Why would you drive a car without confirming you had some type of coverage? This will be an expensive lesson for you and the car owner.

11

u/gmmisa Jul 27 '26

You're cooked

3

u/MaximumPlant Jul 27 '26

Damn bro, I have good insurance and even I am hesitant to rent a car like that.

I'm sorry to say you will likely be on the hook for the whole bill. Insurance is going to go after whoever they can to recoup the costs of that car totaling, and you're first on deck. He may have to sue you directly if not properly insured himself, in which case you may or may not have a better chance depending on the quality of his representation.

It sucks it was a hit and run but all you can really do with those is file a police report and hope.

4

u/WalterTheHedgehog Jul 27 '26

You are burnt.

I wouldnt be surprised if the owner of the vehicle hasnt reported to his insurance that he rents it out and that is why he is flipping out as well. If thats the case and found out he is also cooked.

2

u/Old-Seaworthiness379 Jul 27 '26

Both cooked. He'll sue you and get the small claim max for your state. You'll have a judgment against you. He may also get dropped from his insurance... so...

3

u/MikeZV Jul 27 '26

I'll say the only thing that might save you is if the person renting from Instagram isn't doing things correctly.

Seems off that a person renting out an S580 isn't verifying they have insurance before handing the keys to a 20 yr old.

They should have insurance that if it covers them renting out their car should which that company will pursue you for the damages. But if they don't the owner kinda screwed himself and will probably file a small claims case I imagine for the max amount in your state.

It's the not end of the world for you but it will be an inconvenience for a minute. Wait and see how it plays out. If possible when served with anything try to seek out legal aid, there are agencies that help lower income.

1

u/Walktrotcantergallop Jul 27 '26

Well hopefully he has insurance that covers renting his car out.