Hertz Rental Car Accident Claims and Settlements

You rented a car from Hertz (or you were hit by one), there was a crash, and now you’re hurt.

Most people assume it’ll work like a normal car accident claim.
Hertz claims usually don’t.

They often involve:

• extra reporting steps,
• third-party claims administrators,
• multiple claim numbers,
• and confusion about who actually pays.

That confusion quietly costs people money. This guide is about avoiding that.

What this guide covers

• What to do first after a Hertz accident
• How Hertz injury claims actually work
• Common Hertz-specific mistakes that reduce settlements
• Real Hertz / Hertz-company settlement examples

This page focuses only on Hertz. For a broader rental-car overview, see my main rental car accident guide.

1. The first mistake people make after a Hertz crash

They start with the wrong call.

They call the other driver’s insurance.
They wait.
Or they assume Hertz will “handle it.”

Meanwhile, the Hertz side of the claim hasn’t even been opened yet.

That delay matters.

2. Step 1: Report the accident to Hertz

Before anything else moves forward, the accident usually needs to be reported to Hertz.

Hertz accident reporting: 1-877-584-7159

This opens the Hertz file and generates a Hertz claim number.
Only after this happens does the claim usually get routed to the claims administrator.

If you skip this step, you can lose days or weeks.

3. Step 2: Why Hertz claims use multiple claim numbers

This is one of the biggest traps.

In Florida Hertz rental car accidents, there are often two separate claim tracks:

• PIP claim (medical bills and limited lost wages)
• Injury claim (the bodily-injury / pain-and-suffering side)

They often have different claim numbers and sometimes different adjusters.

If documents go to the wrong file, payments and settlement get delayed.

Simple rule that helps:

Always label documents clearly with the exact claim number and whether they’re for PIP or injury.

4. Step 3: What to say (and not say) on the first call

People hurt their own cases trying to be polite.

What to say

• “I need to open the claim and get the claim number.”
• “I’m still being evaluated medically.”
• “I’ll send the crash report and photos once available.”
• “What’s the correct place to send documents?”

What not to say

• “I’m fine.”
• “It was minor.”
• Any guessing about fault if you don’t know yet.

Keep it factual. Keep it boring.

5. How Hertz uses claims administrators (ESIS)

Hertz commonly uses third-party claims administrators, often ESIS, to handle parts of the claim.

What this means for you:

• You may be dealing with a middle layer instead of a traditional insurer
• PIP and injury files may be handled differently
• Claims can feel slower and less transparent

This isn’t personal. It’s how the system is set up.

6. Documents that move a Hertz claim faster

These usually help the most:

• Crash report (or report number)
• Photos of all vehicles and the scene
• Rental agreement (shows who rented and who could drive)
• Proof you received medical care
• Wage proof if time was missed from work

Oversharing hurts more than it helps. Send what matters.

7. Real Hertz-related settlement examples

$170,000 settlement (Thrifty is a Hertz company)

A Florida crash involved a Thrifty rental. Thrifty is owned by Hertz.

A passenger suffered a serious arm fracture and required surgery.
The claim resolved for $170,000 in about eight months.

The biggest value driver wasn’t the scar.
It was the fracture plus surgery.

$24,000 settlement (Hertz rental, out-of-state visitor)

Brenda was visiting Florida for work in a Hertz rental when another driver crashed into her near Ocala.

Airbags deployed. Ambulance to the hospital. Then she had to fly home injured and stressed.

The at-fault driver had low insurance limits. We pursued all available layers.

Final settlement: $24,000

Her review (unchanged):

“JZ helps is a firm I would highly recommend. My case was complicated. I was visiting from out of town when my rental SUV was rear-ended near Ocala.

I went to the hospital by ambulance and the rental car was declared a total loss. Even though I was out-of-state, Justin and Jenny communicated often.

I always felt like I knew what they were doing on my behalf. Justin fought hard for me and won a fair settlement.”

$10,000 total settlement (Hertz paid $2,000)

A multi-vehicle crash involved a Hertz-owned vehicle.

Multiple drivers were cited. Hertz was only one piece of the case.

Total settlement: $10,000
Hertz portion: $2,000

Sometimes Hertz is the main payer.
Sometimes it’s just one slice.

8. Mistakes that destroy Hertz injury claims

These come up again and again:

• Not opening the Hertz claim early
• Mixing up claim numbers
• Settling too fast with another insurer
• Saying “I’m fine” early, then trying to walk it back

Rental car claims are easier to mess up than normal crashes.

9. Quick Hertz accident FAQs

Do Hertz claims take longer?
They can, because of reporting steps and claim administrators.

If I’m a passenger, can I still recover money?
Often yes. Coverage depends on fault and available policies.

If I’m from out of state, does that matter?
It can. Out-of-state cases often have more moving parts.

Final note

Talking to a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re filing a lawsuit.
For most people, it’s just about understanding the setup and avoiding mistakes.

If you were hurt in a Florida accident involving a Hertz rental car and want help understanding your options, you can reach out to see whether it makes sense to talk. The consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward.

If we do represent you, there are no fees or costs unless money is recovered. Spanish-speaking staff are available.

Advertising disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.