Quick Summary:
- Move to a safe spot, check injuries, and call 911 if needed.
- Photograph vehicles, plates, IDs, and the scene before anything changes.
- Get a police report number, even when damage looks minor.
- Notify your car hire company promptly, follow instructions to limit charges.
A minor crash is stressful in any vehicle, but it can feel more complicated in a car hire, especially if the other driver admits they have no insurance. In Texas, uninsured driving happens often enough that rental customers should know what to do straight away. The good news is that a calm, methodical approach protects your safety, strengthens your documentation, and helps reduce the risk of avoidable rental charges later.
This guide is a practical checklist for Texas, focused on what to do at the scene, what evidence to collect, what to exchange (and what not to), how police reporting usually works, and how to notify your rental company so the claim is handled correctly.
1) Make the scene safe first
Start with safety, not fault. Check yourself and passengers for injuries, including aches that might take a minute to register. If anyone is injured, if vehicles are in a dangerous position, or if traffic is blocked, call 911.
If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe, move out of traffic. In many minor collisions, you can pull into a nearby car park or onto the shoulder to reduce risk. Switch on hazard lights. If you have reflective triangles and can place them safely, use them, but do not put yourself in danger on a fast road.
Stay alert for secondary collisions. It is common for a second vehicle to strike stopped cars on high speed roads. Keep everyone inside the vehicle with seatbelts fastened if you cannot safely exit.
2) Do not argue about insurance or fault at the roadside
If the other driver says they have no insurance, keep the conversation factual and brief. Avoid blaming language, threats, or negotiating cash. In Texas, the person who seems confident at the scene is not necessarily the one who will be found responsible later.
Do not apologise in a way that could be interpreted as accepting fault. Simple statements like “Are you alright?” are fine. Keep your focus on documenting what happened and ensuring the right notifications are made.
3) Collect evidence like you will not get another chance
Because the other driver is uninsured, documentation matters more than usual. Assume you may need to prove what happened without relying on their insurer to cooperate.
Take clear photos and short videos of:
Vehicle positions before moving them, if it is safe to do so. Then photograph again after moving.
Damage close up and from wider angles, capturing both vehicles in the same frame.
Number plates, make and model, and any company logos if it is a work vehicle.
The other driver’s driving licence, with their permission, or at least record the details accurately.
The VIN plate if accessible (often visible through the windscreen), especially if you suspect they may provide false information.
Road conditions, skid marks, debris, traffic lights, signage, and the general direction of travel.
Time and location context, such as a nearby street sign or landmark.
If there are witnesses, ask politely for their name and phone number. If they are willing, record a short statement on your phone in their own words. Do not coach them or ask leading questions. Just capture what they saw.
4) What to exchange with the other driver, and what not to
In Texas, you should exchange basic identifying information. Aim to obtain:
Full name and address.
Mobile number.
Driving licence number and issuing state.
Vehicle registration details.
Owner details if the driver is not the owner.
If they truly have no insurance, note that clearly in your own record. Ask them to confirm it calmly. If they claim they “forgot the card”, still record the insurer name and policy number if they can provide it, but treat it as unverified until proven.
What you should not exchange:
Do not share unnecessary personal details such as your home address if you feel unsafe. You can provide what is legally required and let the police handle the rest.
Do not hand over your phone for them to “type in their number”. Keep control of your device.
Do not sign any handwritten agreements about fault, payment, or “no injury” statements. These can create problems later.
Do not accept cash at the roadside in return for “not calling police”. It can complicate the rental claim, and it does not guarantee you will not be pursued later.
5) When to call the police in Texas for a minor crash
Texas reporting rules depend on injury and the extent of damage, but when the other driver is uninsured, police involvement is usually wise even if the collision seems minor. A police report creates an independent record of the parties, the vehicles, and initial statements. That documentation can be critical if the other driver later disappears or disputes the facts.
If you call, be ready to describe:
Your exact location and nearest cross street.
Whether anyone is injured.
Whether vehicles are blocking traffic.
That the other driver states they have no insurance.
In some areas, officers may not attend very minor collisions if there are no injuries and traffic is flowing. If that happens, ask how to obtain a report number or what self reporting options are available locally. Even without an officer on scene, record the time of your call and any reference number provided.
6) Get medical attention if anything feels off
Injuries can present later, particularly neck and back issues. If you feel pain, dizziness, headache, or numbness, seek medical assessment promptly. From a practical standpoint, early documentation also supports any later claim. Do not “tough it out” simply to avoid hassle, especially when the other party is uninsured and disputes can arise.
7) Protect the rental agreement, keys, and the vehicle
Your rental contract will usually require you to take reasonable steps to safeguard the vehicle after an incident. That means:
Do not leave the car unattended in an unsafe location.
Keep the keys with you.
Do not authorise repairs yourself unless the rental company explicitly instructs you to.
If the car is not drivable, arrange towing only through the procedures your rental company provides. Unauthorised towing and storage can create extra fees that are difficult to reverse.
If you are travelling through major hubs, keep the rental pickup location in mind. For instance, if your car hire is connected to Dallas Fort Worth, you may have arranged through car hire Dallas DFW or car hire Fort Worth DFW. Knowing your pickup channel helps you find the right contact details quickly.
8) Notify the rental company promptly, and say the right things
When you are safe and have handled urgent needs, notify the rental company as soon as possible. Delays can cause problems, such as difficulty arranging authorised towing, missed opportunities to inspect the vehicle promptly, or disputes about when damage occurred.
When you call, be ready with:
Your rental agreement number.
The vehicle details and current location.
A brief factual description of what happened.
Whether police attended, and the report number or call reference.
Photos and witness details you have collected.
Whether the other driver stated they have no insurance.
Keep your description neutral. Avoid statements like “I definitely caused it” or “They were 100% at fault” unless the facts are indisputable and documented. Use observable facts, such as “Vehicle B struck the rear of my vehicle while I was stopped at a red light.”
If your trip involves different vehicle types, the reporting process is similar whether you are in a compact car or a larger vehicle like an SUV or van. However, damage can be more expensive on larger vehicles, so documentation becomes even more important. If you hired something bigger through SUV rental Fort Worth DFW or you are travelling further south and arranged van hire Austin AUS, make sure the rental company knows the vehicle is not being moved or repaired without authorisation.
9) Understand how “no insurance” affects who pays
If the other driver is uninsured, there may still be ways for costs to be handled, but it depends on the protections in place. Common possibilities include:
Your own personal auto policy, if it includes uninsured motorist coverage and extends to rentals, subject to its terms.
Your credit card benefits, if you used a card that provides rental vehicle coverage and you followed their rules.
Optional coverages you accepted with the rental.
The other driver paying out of pocket, though collection can be uncertain.
Even when another source is expected to cover the loss, the rental company may still charge you initially, then refund after liability is resolved, depending on the contract and documentation. That is why immediate notification and thorough evidence matter, they help the claim move faster and reduce disputes.
10) Keep a clean timeline and save everything
Create a simple incident folder on your phone and email key items to yourself so they are not lost if your device fails. Include:
Photos and videos.
Witness contacts.
Police report number or call reference.
Notes about weather, lighting, lane positions, and direction of travel.
All communications with the rental company, including dates, times, and names.
Receipts if you paid for transport after the crash, such as a taxi from the scene.
This timeline is especially helpful if the other driver later changes their story, or if you need to contest an incorrect damage attribution.
11) Common mistakes that increase rental charges
A few avoidable missteps often lead to extra fees or complications:
Leaving the scene without collecting details because the damage “looks tiny”. Small scrapes can hide expensive internal damage.
Agreeing to handle it privately. Without insurance, private arrangements frequently collapse.
Failing to report promptly to the rental company, which can breach contract terms.
Authorising repairs at a local shop without permission.
Not documenting the undamaged areas. Take broad photos of the whole vehicle to show what was not affected.
If you are travelling across Texas and using different airports or city hubs, keep your rental paperwork easily accessible. People often misplace it when changing accommodation or routes, for example when flying into Houston on a branded arrangement such as Avis car hire Texas IAH.
12) If the other driver becomes aggressive or tries to leave
Prioritise personal safety. Do not physically block their car. Step back, remain in your vehicle if necessary, and call 911. If they leave, note the direction, number plate, make and model, and a description of the driver. Hit and run allegations are taken seriously, and early details improve the chances of follow up.
If you feel unsafe, you can limit direct interaction. Focus on documenting what you can from a distance and wait for police.
13) After you are back on the road
When you receive the police report, review it for accuracy and ask about the process if something is incorrect. Continue to follow the rental company’s instructions on vehicle inspection, replacement vehicle arrangements, or return procedures. If you are asked to complete an incident form, stick to factual statements and attach your photos.
Finally, keep an eye on any post incident correspondence. Uninsured cases can move slowly, so organised records help you respond quickly if the rental company, your insurer, or your card benefits administrator requests additional information.
FAQ
Should I always call the police in Texas if the other driver has no insurance? If anyone is injured, 911 is essential. Even for minor damage, an uninsured driver makes a police report or call reference especially valuable for documentation and identification.
Can I accept cash from an uninsured driver to avoid a claim? It is risky. Cash agreements can fall apart, may not cover hidden damage, and can conflict with your rental contract obligations to report incidents promptly.
What if the police will not come to the scene? Ask what self reporting options exist locally and obtain any incident or call reference number. Document the scene thoroughly and notify the rental company with your evidence.
Will the rental company charge me even if the other driver is at fault? It depends on the contract and the protections you have. Some charges may be applied first and then adjusted after liability is confirmed, so evidence and prompt reporting matter.
What details should I avoid sharing with the other driver? Do not share unnecessary personal data, do not hand over your phone, and do not sign any roadside agreements about fault or payment. Exchange only essential identifying details.
