My friend was driving a rental car when another driver ran into him from behind, which also caused him to hit the car in front even though the brakes were applied (3 car pile up). There was Police attendance, no serious injuries although my friend is feeling sore.
The rental company wants him to pay the insurance excess, which he would obviously get back when they determine that he's not at fault.
However I would be a bit reluctant for him to make the insurance claim through the rental and just get them to use the At Fault driver's insurance claim, so that when he is asked the question "How many insurance claims have you made in the last 5 years (regardless of who was at fault)" for his own insurance he doesn't have to count it and have his insurance rates go up.
Has anyone been in this kind of situation or know anything about it if the Rental can force you to make the claim through their insurance?
Obviously I can see the value in doing so if the At-Fault driver is causing any trouble in providing the claim number, or if the 3rd driver is claiming my friend to be at fault, but if there is no problem/dispute there, is not claiming through the rental company's insurance a viable option?
Victoria.
If he was still moving when he was rammed, he might still be deemed at fault (He might not be deemed at fault too, but its not 100% clear). He has to be at a standstill to be 100% deemed not at fault in this situation. This much I'm pretty sure about.
As for the actual question of the excess, I'll leave it to someone more knowledgeable.