Car Rental Accident Guidelines
Unfortunately, accidents can occur while you are traveling "out on the road". If such an event should occur, please call Principal’s Global Security Operations Center at (515) 247-SAFE (7233) to report the issue immediately andcomplete an online Incident Report for the Global Security Investigator immediately upon return to the office.Principal pays for damage to a rental car if the damage occurs while the car is being operated responsibly and for business purposes. Please read these guidelines and complete the Rental Vehicle Accident Form in the event of such an occurrence. This will need to be completed in order for The Principal to handle the accident. If you have any questions while completing the form, please contact Steve Jones at 515-248-2274or Sheryl Woodford 515.246-7011.
Use Company name when renting cars on business trips
It is important to check any car rental agreement you sign or accept while on Company business to ensure that both your name and "Principal Financial Group" are listed. This will signal that you are on Company business for insurance/liability purposes.
Do not move the cars or vehicles if at all possible
If you are hit, and suspicious of the accident, do not get out of the car. Motion for the driver to follow you to the nearest police station or attempt to spot a police vehicle.
In most cases, the police officer will ultimately be the person called upon to help determine liability in automobile accidents. The police officer's evaluation and assessment of liability will be based on interviews with the drivers and witnesses involved and also by observing the physical evidence at the scene. If the vehicles are moved, it's sometimes difficult for the investigating officer to accurately reconstruct the events of the accident.
Do not admit responsibility/liability
Give no information to anyone other than police, the Company, and your insurer regarding the accident except as required by law i.e., license number, your name and address, names and address of other occupants.
Record witnesses' names, address and phone numbers
If at all possible, attempt to obtain witnesses' names and phone numbers as soon as possible. Many traffic accidents do not settle for several months after the accident and versions of how the accident happened may change. It's important to have a witness on record.
Call the local authorities, i.e., police, county sheriff, highway patrol in all cases
This is especially crucial when there are not witnesses to the accident and one party has admitted liability. Unfortunately, people are not familiar with the comparative negligence doctrines of their particular state and once they have been contacted by their adjusters, their admission of liability may change. It's very important that a local authority come to the scene of the accident and complete a formal report.
Cameras
If you have a camera with you, take some pictures at the scene of the accident. Pictures of the vehicles can help preserve evidence for later use. Also, if there are any unusual characteristics of the scene (such as visual obstructions, improper signage, etc.) photos can be a great assistance to the adjuster. We realize that not many people have cameras with them at these times, however if you do, photos can be a big help down the line. Photos which show no damage can be of as much use as those which do.
Updated 1/16/14