Rental car accident in Portugal: what should you do?

Whether the accident involves another vehicle or a minor collision with a stationary object, there are several important steps to follow.

Stop the vehicle safely, switch off the engine and check whether anyone has been injured. If someone is injured or there is immediate danger, call 112, Portugal’s free emergency number, available throughout the European Union. Give your location, explain what happened and follow the operator’s instructions. Do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger.

Portuguese road regulations require cars to carry a reflective safety vest and warning triangle. If you need to leave a vehicle stopped on the road or hard shoulder, put on the reflective vest before getting out. Where safe, position the warning triangle at least 30 metres behind the vehicle so it is visible from at least 100 metres away.

On motorways or busy roads, never expose yourself to moving traffic to place the triangle. Move to a protected area and contact emergency or roadside assistance services if you cannot signal the scene safely.

If it is safe to do so, take photographs before the vehicles are moved. Capture their positions, registration plates, visible damage, road signs and road conditions. Also collect the contact details of any witnesses.

These images may help clarify the circumstances and support the rental company’s insurance procedures. If the vehicles must be moved for safety, prioritise safety over photographs.

Once everyone is safe, follow these additional procedures because the vehicle belongs to a rental company.

Inform your rental provider as soon as possible, even if the damage appears minor. If you are driving a Guerin rental car, use the assistance contact details in your rental agreement or documentation.

Explain your location, what happened and whether the vehicle can still be driven safely. The rental company will advise you on the next steps, which may include roadside assistance, recovery or a damage assessment.

Do not arrange repairs without the rental company’s authorisation.

If another vehicle is involved, exchange details with the other driver and complete the European Accident Statement, known in Portugal as the Declaração Amigável de Acidente Automóvel (DAAA), whenever possible. It records the drivers, vehicles, insurers and circumstances of the accident.

The form does not require both drivers to agree about liability, but the information must be accurate. Never sign a description you believe is incorrect. If there is a serious disagreement, suspected drink-driving, missing documents or another situation requiring police intervention, contact the authorities.

Keep the photographs, witnesses’ contact details, accident report form, and any police report. Submit the documentation at a Guerin rental station and comply with the deadlines specified in your rental agreement.

The financial consequences of a rental car accident depend on the circumstances, the responsibilities established and the protection selected when booking. Rental agreements may offer different levels of protection, excess amounts and exclusions.

The excess is the maximum amount a customer may be liable to pay for certain types of damage covered under the selected protection options. For example, if the excess is €1,000, the customer may have to pay up to this amount, depending on the damage assessed. Contractual exclusions may result in additional charges.

Before collecting your vehicle, check the excess amount, covered damage, exclusions and mandatory accident-reporting procedures.

Choosing appropriate protection before your journey can reduce your financial exposure to certain unexpected situations.

TOP Roadside Assistance is particularly valuable when an accident or breakdown prevents you from continuing your journey. Depending on the service conditions, it may provide support in certain vehicle immobilisation situations.

Before booking, check which assistance benefits and situations are covered.

Guerin’s Pack Premium Plus includes a €0 excess for covered damage, theft protection, third-party liability coverage and TOP Roadside Assistance, subject to the applicable rental terms. It can significantly reduce financial liability in covered circumstances and offer additional peace of mind.

However, a €0 excess does not mean every possible incident is covered. Exclusions and contractual obligations still apply, including proper vehicle use and accident reporting.

Before booking, check which assistance benefits and situations are covered.

Not every incident involves a collision with another vehicle. Windscreen or tyre damage can also disrupt a journey. Glass and wheel protection can help reduce your financial liability for certain covered damage to these components, subject to the applicable conditions.

If you have an accident while driving a Guerin vehicle, contact the assistance service using the details in your rental agreement after ensuring everyone is safe. The team may request your location, information about the vehicles involved, a description of the damage and whether you can continue driving safely. The next steps depend on the incident and your contracted services.

Keep your rental documents and assistance contact details accessible throughout your journey.

No one plans to have an accident, but you can prepare yourself to handle the situation more effectively. Before starting your journey, check where the reflective vest and warning triangle are located, save the roadside assistance contact details and review the protection options included in your booking.

With Guerin's 100% digital car rental process, you can complete several stages of the booking and vehicle pick-up process more easily and independently. While digitalisation cannot prevent unexpected situations, it helps you organise your rental experience right from the start.

Before setting off, explore the available protection options and choose those that best suit your needs. Book your car with Guerin and get ready to travel with greater peace of mind.