I rented a car (2006 Chevy Malibu) with National Car Rental and on the
way I had an accident, my mistake, car slided from the highway and
when it reached the slope turned upside down, I had minor head
injuries but here is the problem. I took National rental insurance,
they will cover $500 collision damages and I have to take care of the
rest. Now it looks like they are going to say the car is Totaled. I am
sure that the engine is fine only things damaged are the glasses and
top part, probably windows, car slided slowly upside down into the
slope.
What should I do so that I don't have to cover the rest of the
collision damages. Usually Rental car insurances have some small
deductible which I have to pay and they will cover the rest. Why is
this so with National Rental and what should I do. Please help me, I
am a student, unemployed and have no money for such huge damage.

Loss Damage Waiver 500 - 

National waives up to the first $500 of loss or damage to the rental
vehicle. The renter or authorized driver(s) pays for any loss or
damage in excess of $500 up to the full value of the vehicle. This
option is one for renters who want to minimize their responsibility as
well as renters who may carry a $500 deductible on their personal
insurance policies.

Unfortunately you are liable for damages in excess of $500, if you
have opted for this..

Concur...

From National's Website:

Responsibility for Rental Vehicle

National holds the renter responsible for the safe return of the
rental vehicle in the same condition as it was rented, except for
normal wear and tear.

Unless prohibited by law, a renter may be held responsible for all
damages, including loss of use, should the vehicle be damaged in an
accident, stolen or vandalized. This is the case regardless of fault.
Whether who is at fault in the accident, the renter may be asked to
pay for the damage up to and including the total cost of replacing the
vehicle in case of a total wreck or loss.

Be sure any estimated damage to the vehicle has been recorded properly
before leaving the rental location.

Also this...

Loss Damage Waiver

Loss Damage Waiver - LDW

National provides you, the renter and authorized drivers with a way to
minimize or eliminate your responsibility for loss or damage to the
rental vehicle through the purchase of Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). LDW
is NOT insurance. It is a waiver of National's right to collect from
the renter or authorized driver for the loss or damage to the rental
vehicle.

The renter or authorized driver is responsible for any loss or damage
to the rental vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. In addition,
unless prohibited or limited by law, the renter or authorized driver
(s) is responsible for administrative and loss of use fees.*

Loss Damage Waiver 500 -
National waives up to the first $500 of loss or damage to the rental
vehicle. The renter or authorized driver(s) pays for any loss or
damage in excess of $500 up to the full value of the vehicle. This
option is one for renters who want to minimize their responsibility as
well as renters who may carry a $500 deductible on their personal
insurance policies.

Loss Damage Waiver 3000 -
National waives up to the first $3,000 of loss or damage to the rental
vehicle. The renter or authorized driver(s) pays for any loss or
damage in excess of $3,000 up to the full value of the vehicle. This
option is one for renters who want to minimize their responsibility as
well as renters who may carry a $3,000 deductible on their personal
insurance policies.

Full Value LDW -
if elected, waives the renter's and authorized driver(s)
responsibility for loss or damage to the rental vehicle up to the full
value of the vehicle including administrative and loss of use fees.
LDW does not cover unauthorized drivers and is void if the Renter or
Authorized Driver(s) engage in any of the Prohibited Uses and
Violations as described in the Terms and Conditions. See the Terms and
Conditions for additional Exclusions. *Note: National may elect not to
repair a vehicle in which case the renter or authorized driver(s) is
responsible for the retail value of the vehicle before it was damaged,
less any salvage amount that National collects.

My own auto or umbrella policies or credit card coverage may provide
rental car damage or loss coverage; however, National cannot interpret
or advise me with respect to what they may cover. The election of any
optional insurance coverage or optional LDW offered by National might
duplicate, void or cause my own policies or credit card coverage to
become excess coverage. The purchase of optional insurance coverages
or optional LDW is not required to rent a Vehicle.

...

It would seem that what you needed to purchase to cover yourself
(assuming you don't have your own policy to cover yourself) is to
purchase the Full Value Loss Damage Waiver ... it would seem that you
opted NOT to purchase this!...

If you have already admitted fault or a police report has indicated
you are at fault ...

Good Luck.  I would SERIOUSLY consider getting ANY REAL LEGAL ADVICE
POSSIBLE (well worth paying a lawyer $200 bucks for an opinion) if
your in the hole here for the price of a car (2006 Chevy Malibu - $17K
and up yikes!)

Sorry to hear about this.

I just wanted to add my 2 cents, as something similar happened to me,
but it turned out OK in the end.

First, did you rent the car using a credit card?  Call them and ask if
you have rental car insurance.  Some credit cards (particularly gold
cards and above) cover rental cars when rented on their card.  In this
case all of the expenses (ie gas) need to be put on the same card. 
This is what happened to me -- the claim made my regular car insurance
go up later, but better than paying for the damages at that time!  ON
THE OTHER HAND, I'd not put any of the charges you're now seeing from
National on a credit card; credit card interest rates are too high.

Second, do you have regular car insurance?  That might help you out also.


If none of these two are true, then I would follow CanadianHelper in
advising talking to a lawyer, if there is any possibility that you can
avoid being held responsible.  Otherwise, you should talk to a
financial advisor at a bank or credit union.  If you are going to be
responsible for that kind of sum, at least try to get a good loan rate
or file bankrupt if it is possible.

Thanks all for the comments.

Just for clarification, I used Platinum Master card to pay for rental
and I talked to them about Master Rental but they are very strict
about their rental guidelines and say that I should have declined
National's Collision insurance. So they denied my claim.

I didn't have secondary car insurance.

Now only option left to me is to get a expert lawyer advise who can
minimize losses from my pocket.

I want to know from you this if I can buy that car from National or
National insurance so that I can atleast have the car. Even if its
totaled, I can repair it and use it.

Thanks for future comments.