Hiring a van gives you the flexibility to move house, transport furniture, complete a delivery or tackle a big DIY project. But accidents and unexpected damage can happen, even when you’re driving carefully.
If you’ve hired a van and it is involved in an accident, stolen or damaged, knowing what to do can help keep the situation under control and make the claims or reporting process as straightforward as possible.
If You’ve Been Involved in an Accident
Your first priority should always be safety.
If you have been involved in an accident while driving your hire van:
- Stop the vehicle and switch off the engine where it is safe to do so.
- Turn on your hazard warning lights.
- Check whether anyone has been injured and call the emergency services if necessary.
- Move to a safe location if it is possible to do so without putting anyone at further risk.
- Exchange details with any other drivers involved, including names, addresses, vehicle registration numbers and insurance information.
- Take photographs of the vehicles, the surrounding area and any visible damage.
- Make a note of the time, location, road conditions and what happened while the details are still fresh in your mind.
- Do not admit liability or agree to pay for damage at the scene.
- Contact your van hire company as soon as possible and report the accident in accordance with your rental agreement.
If there are witnesses, it can also be useful to record their contact details. The more accurate information you can provide, the easier it may be to establish what happened.
What If the Van Has Been Stolen?
Discovering that your rental van has been stolen can be extremely stressful. If the van has been taken without your permission, report the theft to the police as soon as possible.
Make sure you obtain the police crime reference number, as you will usually need this when notifying the van rental company and dealing with the insurance process.
You should contact the van rental company promptly and provide as much information as possible, including:
- The van’s registration number and make/model, if known
- Where and when you last saw the vehicle
- The circumstances surrounding the theft
- The police crime reference number
- Details of any keys or documents that were in your possession
Do not attempt to recover the vehicle yourself. Leave this to the police and the relevant authorities.
What If the Hire Van Has Been Damaged?
Not all damage happens in a road accident. A van can be damaged while parked, during loading and unloading, or while being used at a property or work site.
If you notice damage to the van:
- Don’t continue driving the van if it looks unsafe.
- Take clear photographs of the damage from several angles.
- Make a note of when and where you believe the damage occurred.
- Contact the van hire company as soon as possible.
- Follow the instructions provided by the hire company before arranging repairs yourself.
It’s important not to organise repairs without speaking to the hire company first. Your rental agreement and insurance arrangements may specify how repairs and damage must be handled.
Check the Van Before You Set Off
One of the easiest ways to avoid confusion about damage is to inspect the vehicle before you drive away.
When collecting your hire van, take a few minutes to walk around it and look for existing scratches, dents, damaged mirrors, cracked lights or other issues. Check that any existing damage has been recorded by the rental company.
Taking photographs before starting your journey can also provide a useful record of the van’s condition when you collected it.
Keep Your Rental Details to Hand
Before setting off, make sure you know how to contact the hire company in an emergency and have your rental documentation readily available.
Your rental agreement should contain important information about what you need to do following an accident, theft or damage. Policies and procedures can vary, so always follow the specific terms of your agreement.
Stay Calm and Report Everything Promptly
Being involved in an accident or discovering that a hire van has been damaged or stolen can be worrying, but taking the right steps can make the situation much easier to deal with.
Prioritise safety, contact the emergency services where appropriate, document what has happened and notify the rental company as soon as possible. Most importantly, don’t ignore even seemingly minor damage or incidents. Reporting them promptly gives everyone the best opportunity to deal with the situation properly.
Hiring a van in Sheffield?
Whether you’re moving house, collecting furniture or need a van for a day-to-day job, Sheffield Van Hire can help you find a vehicle to suit your requirements. Before collecting your van, make sure you understand the rental terms and know exactly what to do if something unexpected happens during your hire.
