A Renter's Guide to Handling Car Accidents in Greece
This guide provides essential steps for renters in Greece to handle car accidents, including emergency contacts, police reporting, and documentation tips.
Car Rental Guide
A Renter's Guide to Handling a Car Accident in Greece
Stay Calm and Follow These Steps
Introduction: The Unfortunate but Manageable Reality of an Accident Abroad
Experiencing a car accident is stressful under any circumstances. When it happens in a foreign country, stress can be amplified by unfamiliar roads, a different language, and unknown procedures. Greece, with its beautiful but sometimes challenging roads—from narrow village lanes to fast-paced city traffic—can present unique driving conditions.
However, being involved in an accident with your rental car doesn't have to ruin your trip. By staying calm and following a clear set of steps, you can navigate situation efficiently and correctly, ensuring your safety and protecting yourself financially. This guide will walk you through that exact process.
Immediate Priority: Essential Greek Emergency Contacts
Pan-European Emergency Number
112
Police (ELAS)
100
Ambulance (EKAV)
166
Fire Department
199
Tourist Police
171
European Hotline for Missing Children
116 000
Keep These Numbers Accessible
Dialing 112 is best first call in any serious emergency as operator can connect you to all other services and can often communicate in English.
The Tourist Police (171) often provide assistance in English and can help with reporting.
Your First Moves at the Scene
Stop the Vehicle
Immediately stop your car. Do not leave scene of an accident, even a minor one.
Activate Hazard Lights
Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
Check for Injuries
First, check on yourself and your passengers. Then, if it is safe to do so, check on occupants of other vehicle(s). If anyone is injured, call 112 or 166 (Ambulance) immediately. Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., from fire or traffic).
Move to a Safe Location
If accident is minor and there are no injuries, move vehicles to side of road to avoid obstructing traffic. If accident is serious or there are injuries, leave vehicles where they are unless instructed to move them by police. Get yourself and any passengers to a safe place away from road.
Place the Warning Triangle
Retrieve reflective warning triangle from your rental car's trunk. Walk back at least 50-100 meters from scene (facing oncoming traffic) and place it on road to warn approaching drivers.
Your immediate actions can determine safety of everyone involved and smoothness of process that follows. Follow these steps in order.
In Greece, involving police is not just a suggestion when driving a rental car—it is almost always a requirement for your insurance to be valid.
Making the Right Call - Police and Reporting
| Scenario | Should You Call the Police? | Key Actions/Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Incident (e.g., small dent, paint scratch, no injuries, no dispute) | Yes, Absolutely. | Call the Police (100) or the Tourist Police (171). Rental car companies and their insurance providers require an official police report to process a claim. Without it, you could be held personally liable for full cost of damage, even if you have insurance. |
| Major Incident (any injury, significant damage, dispute over fault, other driver is uncooperative or appears impaired) | Yes, It Is a Legal Requirement. | Call 112 immediately. This single call can dispatch police, ambulance, and fire services as needed. Do not move vehicles. Cooperate fully with police when they arrive. An official report is mandatory in these situations. |
Documenting Everything - A Detailed Checklist
Accurate documentation is your most powerful tool. The more evidence you collect at scene, better.
Key Information to Collect: Photographic Evidence, Other Driver's Details, Witness Information, Official Accident Statement Form
Use your smartphone to take as many pictures as possible from various angles and distances. Collect contact information from any witnesses at scene.
What to Photograph: Your Camera is Your Best Witness
- The Wider Scene
- Show position of cars on road, traffic signs, lane markings, and general weather/road conditions
- All Vehicles Involved
- Take photos of all four corners of each car, showing their relative positions
- License Plates
- Get clear, readable photos of license plates of all vehicles
- Damage Close-Ups
- Photograph all damage to your rental car and other vehicle(s). Do this before cars are moved
- Documents
- Take clear photos of other driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance papers
Information from the Other Party
Vehicle License Plate Number
Vehicle Make, Model, and Color
Car Insurance Company Name and Policy Number
Your rental car should contain a standardized form called European Accident Statement. In Greek, it is known as Φιλικός Διακανονισμός (Amicable Settlement).
The European Accident Statement Form
What it is
This is a multi-language form designed to record factual circumstances of an accident. It is not an admission of guilt.
How to fill it out
Each driver fills out their section. It includes space for driver details, insurance information, points of impact, and a grid for drawing a simple diagram of accident.
Important Advice
Fill it out calmly and accurately. If you do not understand something or disagree with other driver's account, do not sign their version. You can write your objections in My Observations section. Signing form means you agree with stated facts and diagram, so be absolutely sure it is correct before you sign. If both parties agree and sign, each takes a copy.
Main Content Part 4
Engaging with Your Rental Company and Insurance
After ensuring everyone is safe and you have dealt with police, your next call must be to your car rental company.
- Contact the Rental Company ImmediatelyYour rental agreement and key fob will have a 24/7 emergency or roadside assistance number. Call them from scene if possible. Inform them of accident, your location, and whether a police report has been filed.
- Follow Their InstructionsRental company will provide specific instructions. They will guide you on whether car is drivable, authorize any necessary towing, and explain procedure for getting a replacement vehicle. Do not arrange for your own towing service unless they explicitly tell you to.
- Understanding Your InsuranceMost rentals come with a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), often with a high excess (deductible). If you purchased additional coverage (like Super CDW or SCDW), your excess may be lower or zero. However, for any of these insurance coverages to be valid, you must provide official police report and have followed rental company's procedures. Failure to report accident to both police and rental company can void your insurance, making you responsible for all costs.
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Pełna ochrona bez stresu i ukrytych kosztówConclusion: Your Path Forward and Key Takeaways
An accident abroad is a serious event, but it is a process you can manage. By remembering a few core principles, you can protect yourself and handle situation with confidence.
Most Important
Your Three Most Important Rules
By following these core principles, you can protect yourself and handle situation with confidence.
Action Guidance After the Incident
Keep All Paperwork
Make copies or take clear photos of police report, accident statement form, and any other documents you receive.
EssentialCreate a Paper Trail
Follow up any phone calls with car rental company with a summary email. This creates a written record of your communication.
ImportantUnderstand Next Steps
Ask rental company for a clear explanation of what happens next regarding your security deposit, insurance excess, and final damage assessment.
RecommendedBy following this guide, you are well-equipped to handle an unfortunate event, minimize its impact on your finances and your vacation, and get back to safely enjoying beauty of Greece.
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