I had an accident in a rental car — what do I do?

Short answer: safety first, then the report, then the rental company. If anyone is injured call 112 and do not move the vehicles. If the damage is material only and both sides agree, you can fill in the report yourselves. If you rented from Otofilorent, call our 24/7 line on 0850 305 00 45.

The first three steps at the scene

Safety: if you can, move the car where it will not block traffic, put the hazards on, place the warning triangle and wear the vest if you have one. If anyone is injured, call 112 and leave the vehicles where they are.
The report: if the damage is material only and both sides agree, the parties fill in the report together. If they do not agree, or there is a suspicion of alcohol, damage to public property or a missing document, the traffic police are called.
Notify: call the company you rented from straight away. In a rental, what happens next follows the procedure set out in your contract.

What should you photograph at the scene?

The damaged areas of both cars, close up and from a distance
Where the cars are on the road, the lane markings and any skid marks
The plates, the signed report, and the other party's policy details
Traffic signs and road conditions (wet surface, ice, visibility)

These frames are your strongest evidence both in the insurance process and in any discussion about the cost of damage.

Can you file the report on e-Devlet?

In damage-only accidents involving two vehicles, the report can be filed in the e-Devlet mobile app. It cannot be filed on the e-Devlet website, which only offers enquiry and verification services. Both drivers have to be e-Devlet users and the report has to be completed at the scene. We set out all the conditions, the steps and how to look the report up afterwards in our article on filing an accident report on e-Devlet.

One thing is different in a rental car: the registered keeper is the company, not you. So call the company before you fill anything in.

Who do you call in a rental car?

Call the company you rented from before you leave the scene. At Otofilorent that line is open 24/7: 0850 305 00 45. The procedure after an accident, the cases in which you are liable and the scope of cover are set out in the contract you sign and on the rental conditions page — reading that section at handover is what lets you act correctly at the scene.

How is the cost of damage decided? What changes on 1 January 2027?

The new car rental regulation puts the two most disputed post-return items on paper for short-term rentals:

Expert report required (art. 16/5): to charge for damage, the damage and its cost must be documented with an authorised and independent expert report.
Diminished value (art. 16/9): no charge may be made for diminished value unless the parties agree, or there is an insurance arbitration decision or a decision with the force of a judgment.

We cover the whole regulation from the renter's side in our new car rental regulation article.

Frequently asked questions

Can we fill in the report ourselves?

Yes, if the damage is material only and both sides agree. If there is a dispute, an injury, a suspicion of alcohol, damage to public property or a missing document, the traffic police are called.

Can I leave the scene?

Not before the report and notification are done. If anyone is injured, do not move the vehicles either.

Can I file the report on e-Devlet?

In damage-only accidents with two vehicles, yes — in the e-Devlet mobile app, not on the website. Both drivers must be e-Devlet users and the report must be completed at the scene. In a rental car, call the company first.

How can I be charged for damage?

From 1 January 2027 the damage and its cost must be documented with an authorised, independent expert report (art. 16/5). Until then the procedure in your contract applies.

Do I have to pay for diminished value?

From 1 January 2027 the regulation ties it to an agreement, an insurance arbitration decision or a decision with the force of a judgment (art. 16/9).

This article is for information and is not legal advice. The procedure that applies to your own rental is set out in your contract.