Traveling around Tenerife by rental car gives you the freedom to explore the island, but it also requires you to be prepared for unforeseen events. If you have a traffic accident, the most important thing is to stay calm and act responsibly. In this article we explain step by step what to do in the event of a minor or serious accident, both on the road and with respect to your rental company. In addition, you will find information about insurance, coverage and liability, with the peace of mind of having a comprehensive insurance at Comauto Rent a Car!
First steps after the accident
The first thing to do is to stop the vehicle in a safe place without creating new hazards. Activate the hazard lights, apply the handbrake and turn on the beacons to alert other drivers. Put on the mandatory reflective vest, which is required by law to be worn inside the car. It is also advisable to place the pre-signaling triangles if you have them (on secondary roads they are still useful, although on highways they are optional since 2023). Stay calm and check for casualties; if there are any, do not move them unless there is immediate danger (do not attempt to treat serious injuries so as not to aggravate the damage).
Then follow these basic steps (PAS rule):
- Protects the area. Signal the accident with lights and triangles, and exit the vehicle cautiously from the rear. The reflective vest is a priority in these situations. Avoid getting out in the middle of the road and position yourself in a safe place, out of the traffic.
- Notify emergency services. If there are serious injuries or any doubts, dial 112 immediately. Provide key data: exact location (e.g. “TF-1 km 25”), number of injured and description of their injuries. In the Canary Islands, 112 receives your call 24 hours a day; ambulance and fire departments will arrive quickly.
- Help the victims. While waiting for help, provide basic care for the injured: check vital signs and stop bleeding by applying gentle pressure. Do not attempt to move someone with a fracture or spinal injury. The golden rule is not to abandon the injured: the law states that, if you cause an accident with victims, you have an obligation to render aid. Failure to render assistance is a serious crime in Spain (punishable by several years in prison).
If there are no injuries, proceed with caution and move on to the next step. If the accident is minor and without injuries, you can handle it as a claim with a friendly report; otherwise, continue reading the next section.
Minor accident: the friendly report and accident data
If the accident is minor and there are no personal injuries, you can fill out a friendly accident report (European form) together with the other driver. Before getting out of the car, take photos and videos of the scene, the vehicles and any road signs. These images will help the insurance companies to process the claim.
In the friendly report you must detail:
- Date, time and exact place of the accident.
- Data on the vehicles involved: make, model, license plate and chassis number.
- Insurance companies and policy numbers of both drivers.
- Circumstances of the accident: markings on the roadway, simple sketch of the crash, arrows indicating the points of impact.
- Signature of both drivers and, if any, details of witnesses present (name, telephone number).
Complete the form carefully, following the directions. Make sure the facts in the report accurately reflect what happened. Once completed, exchange signed copies with the other party. If any witnesses provide information, get it in writing. If you cannot reach an agreement with the other driver or the other driver does not want to provide information, call the traffic police to draw up an official report.
A couple of practical tips: don’t sign anything blank and don’t admit blame in the heat of the moment. Always write down the names and license plates of everyone involved. If the car is immobilized, wait for the assistance tow truck in a safe place.
Serious accident: call 112 and wait for help
When the crash is serious and there are injuries or major damage, act quickly. After protecting the area, dial 112 from your cell phone or ask a witness to call. Say something like “Urgencias Médicas, Tenerife, traffic accident with injuries on the TF-1, km 25”, and report the number and condition of the injured. While the emergency services arrive, keep the place sealed off and follow the instructions of the operators. Do not remove anyone from the car unless they are in danger (e.g. in case of fire).
In Tenerife, ambulances, fire departments and the local police or Guardia Civil operate in these cases. The rescue teams will provide first aid and will give you a medical assistance/complaint report. This official report is very useful for insurance purposes: it proves the facts, damages and injuries. Remember that not fulfilling your duty of assistance is illegal: abandoning victims can lead to criminal penalties. Stay calm and cooperate with the officers when they arrive at the scene.
Contact the rental company
After managing the immediate emergency, you must inform your rental company as soon as possible. If you rented with Comauto Rent a Car, call their assistance line (+34 922 108 050) available 7:00-23:00 every day. If the accident was serious after hours, wait until the next morning to report it, but keep the report and the evidence of the accident.
When contacting the rental company, provide: the reservation number, the place of the accident, a brief description of the facts and the details of the accident report (photocopy). They will tell you the next steps: where to tow the vehicle if it cannot be driven, how to manage the pick-up or repair, etc. You will be asked to provide copies of your driver’s license, ID card or passport, rental contract and accident report. Keep all related receipts (repair, towing, fines) for future claims.
If your rental car becomes unserviceable, your comprehensive rental insurance will cover the replacement or provide you with assistance to relocate. In any case, keeping the company informed with transparency will avoid legal or financial complications later on. A good comprehensive insurance (without excess) on the rental reduces your worries: Comauto, for example, offers comprehensive insurance so that you do not have to assume unforeseen expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What does the basic rental car insurance cover? Every car in Spain must include compulsory Civil Liability insurance: it covers damages to third parties (people or property of others) in case you are responsible, but it does not cover your own vehicle. To protect your rented car, you need an extended (all risk) insurance.
- What is the deductible? The excess is the maximum amount that you must pay out of your pocket in case of a claim. For example, if your excess is 300 € and the repair costs 1.000 €, you would pay 300 € and the insurer would pay 700 €. With a policy without excess (all risks without excess) you avoid this extra cost, paying only the amount of the rental plus a possible deposit that you get back later.
- What do I do if the other driver does not have insurance? All legal vehicles in Spain must have compulsory insurance. If you discover that the other vehicle was not insured, inform your insurance company immediately. Sometimes there is a Guarantee Fund to cover victims of uninsured drivers. Also contact the police so that they can file a report, as driving without insurance is a serious infraction.
- What if the other driver is a hit-and-run driver? It is a crime to leave the scene without identifying yourself. Write down the license plate number, exact time and place of the hit-and-run. Inform the police immediately so that they can look for the runaway. Your own personal injury coverage (with all risks) could cover this case if you have that extra in your insurance.
- Who is liable for damages? The liable party is the driver at fault according to the police or the friendly report. Your insurance covers indemnities to the affected parties. You pay only the insurance excess (if any). If you prove that you were not at fault (e.g. rear-ended on an urban road), the other driver is at fault. In any case, your comprehensive insurance policy will speed up the repair.
- What happens to the rental deposit? When renting, a deposit is blocked on your credit card (deposit). In case of an accident, the company may withhold part or all of the deposit until damages and insurance are assessed. With full rental insurance coverage, this risk is minimized. Once the claim has been handled, you will be refunded the unused portion of the deposit (minus any uncovered repairs or outstanding fines).
Acting quickly and responsibly is the key to any car accident. Always remember to protect the scene, notify the emergency services (112), fill out a friendly report and notify the rental company. Also, check the coverage of your insurance: choosing a fully comprehensive rental will help you avoid financial scares.
If you are going to rent a car in Tenerife, we recommend you to do it with full coverage. Check your options and book with peace of mind at comautorentacar.com. Travel safely in Tenerife and enjoy your trip with all the coverage contracted in advance!
