Comments on: Zipcar collision

Question: Zipcar collision

parmanparman — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:50:02 -0800

I got into an accident with a ZipCar this week. How worried should I be about paying the hefty deductible. Experiences, advice sought...

By: Dee Xtrovert

Dee Xtrovert — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:25:58 -0800

Pretty worried, from what I understand. Of course, I suppose it depends on the sort of accident and whose fault it was - if it were the fault of another driver, it may not cost you a thing. But from what I understand, regular ZipCar users are told to purchase their own auto insurance *because* of the hefty costs one can incur if in a ZipCar accident. So the big question may be, do you have your own insurance?

By: Dee Xtrovert

Dee Xtrovert — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:28:24 -0800

Ooh, here's a good link which explains a lot:

http://www.felixsalmon.com/000562.html

By: uaudio

uaudio — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:32:55 -0800

zipcar only provides the state-mandated minimum of liability insurance. i believe that means if the damage you inflicted (assuming its your fault) exceeds that minimum, you can be sued for the excess. IANAL.

By: uaudio

uaudio — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:45:38 -0800

looks like you live around DC, which means you're probably driving there, Maryland, or Virginia. here are the minimums for all three. i doubt you caused death, otherwise you'd likely be consulting an attorney instead of AskMe.

VA
"Bodily injury/death of one person $25,000, bodily injury/death of two or more persons $50,000, Property damage $20,000"

MD
"Minimum liability insurance (covers damages caused by you and suffered by another party for personal injury or property damage): $20,000 for bodily injury per person; $40,000 for bodily injury for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage."

DC
"the minimum amount of bodily injury liability that is required is $25,000 per person and 50,000 per accident. The minimum amount of property damage liability is $10,000, and this usually covers the third parties car."

By: bendy

bendy — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:00:26 -0800

I crashed a Zipcar a few months ago. I was clearly at fault, and ended up having to pay the $500 deductible. It was a minor accident, and they told me the total cost of repairs was around $1200, which seemed kind of high. I don't have car insurance of my own. I would assume that if the amount of the damages exceeds their limits that you'd have to pay more.