Nobody wants to think about having an accident, but it’s important to be prepared—especially when driving a rental car in a foreign country. Qatar’s roads are generally safe and modern, but if you do get into a fender-bender or more serious crash, knowing what steps to take will help you stay calm and handle the situation correctly. Infinity Rent a Car Qatar has put together this guide on what to
Nobody wants to think about having an accident, but it’s important to be prepared—especially when driving a rental car in a foreign country. Qatar’s roads are generally safe and modern, but if you do get into a fender-bender or more serious crash, knowing what steps to take will help you stay calm and handle the situation correctly. Infinity Rent a Car Qatar has put together this guide on what to do if you’re involved in an accident with your rental car.
Check for Injuries: Immediately assess yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call Qatar’s emergency number 999 right away to get an ambulance. Even for seemingly minor injuries, it’s best to have medical professionals evaluate on the spot.
Move to a Safe Area (if applicable): If it’s a minor accident with no injuries and the vehicles are causing a traffic hazard (say, in the middle of a busy road), it’s acceptable in Qatar to move them to the side of the road after taking photos of the positions. However, for more severe collisions or if there’s any doubt, it’s often best to leave the vehicles as they are until police arrive, to accurately document the scene. Turn on your hazard lights and use warning triangles (usually provided in the car’s trunk) to alert other drivers.
In Qatar, you must involve the police for any road accident, no matter how minor. This is crucial for insurance and legal reasons.
When you dial 999, an operator will answer (in English or Arabic). Inform them you had a traffic accident, your location (use landmarks, road names, or GPS coordinates if you have them), and if there are any injuries.
The police will dispatch a patrol to the scene. In Doha, they usually arrive quickly, but response times can vary.
Do not attempt to negotiate or argue with the other driver about fault. It’s best to wait for the police to handle it officially. Keep interaction polite and minimal.
Pro Tip: Save your location on Google Maps or drop a pin if you’re not sure how to describe it; you can show this to police when they arrive.
While waiting for police, if it’s safe to do so:
Take Photos: Use your phone to snap pictures of the accident scene from multiple angles. Include the position of vehicles, damage on all cars involved, skid marks or debris on road, and the surrounding environment (traffic signs, intersection layout, etc.). These photos can be invaluable later for insurance or if any disputes arise.
Exchange Info with Other Driver(s): Get the other driver’s name, phone number, and license plate number. Also note the make/model of their car and their insurance company if they know it. You will ultimately rely on the police report for official info, but it’s good to have basic details yourself.
Witnesses: If bystanders or other drivers stop and offer help or witnessed the accident, take their contact info too. The police might interview them for their report.
When the police arrive:
Be Respectful and Factual: Greet the officers (a “Salam alaykum” is a polite Arabic greeting). Likely they speak English, but if not, use simple language or even Google Translate if needed. Explain what happened from your perspective factually, without exaggeration or admitting fault outright.
Provide Documents: You will need to show your driver’s license, car registration (Istimara) which should be in the glove box, and your Qatar ID or passport. Also, provide the rental agreement if asked (it’s good to keep a copy in the car or on your phone). The police will want to verify that the car is a rental and insured.
Follow Instructions: The police may take statements, measure the scene, or even draw a diagram. They will determine fault as per Qatar traffic law. In many cases, one party gets a green paper (not at fault) and the other a red paper (at fault) which is used for insurance processing. Sometimes both get a report if it’s not clear cut.
Get the Report Receipt: Ask the officer how you can obtain the accident report. In some cases, they give you a paper slip or reference number on the spot. Other times, you may need to go to the Traffic Department the next day to pick up the formal report (if so, as a renter, you can coordinate with us at Infinity – we often retrieve it or send a representative).
Pro Tip: If you have trouble communicating with police, you can call Infinity’s emergency number (usually provided on your rental documents). We can often send a representative or help translate over the phone.
As soon as possible, inform Infinity Rent a Car about the accident:
We have a 24/7 contact number for accidents and breakdowns. Call us once the immediate police formalities are done (or have someone call on your behalf if you’re shaken up).
Provide details: location, what happened, any injuries, police involvement, and the condition of the car.
We will guide you on next steps. Depending on severity, we may arrange a replacement vehicle for you (if the current one is not drivable) and assist in towing the damaged car.
Leaving the accident scene before being allowed by police is illegal in Qatar. Even if it’s minor, wait until the police tell you that you can go. In cases of a very minor scrape, sometimes police might instruct you to move and later both parties visit a traffic department center to report – but get clear instructions.
If the car is drivable and you’re free to go after all formalities:
Make sure you have all necessary paperwork (police report slip or number, etc.).
You can continue with the car if it’s safe, or Infinity will swap the vehicle if needed.
After the accident:
Insurance Handling: Because you followed protocol (police report, notifying us), the damage will be handled as per the insurance coverage. If the other party was at fault, their insurance should cover repairs. If you were at fault, our CDW coverage will apply and you’ll be liable up to the excess amount (unless you purchased zero excess coverage). We will manage the repair and insurance claim, but you may need to fill out an incident form for our records.
Replacement Car: Infinity will provide a replacement vehicle if the original is no longer drivable or needs to be in the workshop, so your travel plans can continue with minimal disruption. If you had a minor bump and the car is fine, you can keep using it, but we might schedule a repair when convenient.
Medical Matters: If you or passengers were injured, focus on recovery. Keep any hospital records and bills – these may be claimable under personal accident insurance or the at-fault party’s liability insurance.
Pro Tip: It’s very beneficial to have opted for full insurance (zero deductible) when an accident happens. It removes a lot of stress about payment. If you did not, expect that the deposit or excess amount will be temporarily held/charged until liability is sorted out.
In most tourist-level minor accidents, there’s no legal penalty beyond traffic fines for the at-fault driver (which could be issued on the spot or later). However:
Serious Violations: If the accident was due to a traffic violation (speeding, running a red light, etc.), you might receive a fine or even a court summon if severe. As a tourist, usually fines can be paid online or at the Traffic Department. If it was due to drunk driving or reckless behavior, that becomes a criminal issue (and Qatar has zero tolerance for DUI). Always drive sober and responsibly.
Leaving Country: If you incurred fines or someone was injured, ensure everything is resolved or in process with authorities. Qatar has been known to block individuals from exit if there are unpaid penalties or unresolved legal cases from accidents. With a police report and if insurance is handling it, this is usually not a problem. Infinity can assist in guiding you if any formalities need to be cleared before departure.
Accidents are unfortunate, but handling them calmly and correctly ensures your safety and protects you from further trouble. Qatar’s system will require police involvement, so it’s mostly about being patient and cooperative.
Infinity Rent a Car Qatar will support you through the entire process – from the moment you call us at the scene to dealing with insurance claims. Your well-being and peace of mind are our priorities.
Drive safe, and remember we’re here to help if you need us.
✅ Emergency Assistance: If you’re in an accident with an Infinity rental car, call our 24/7 line +974 77772510 immediately.
For general inquiries or to learn more about our accident policies, contact or visit www.infinityrentacar.qa.
1️⃣ What number do I call for emergencies in Qatar?
Dial 999 for any emergency – police, ambulance, or fire. For a car accident, this connects you to police and medical response. They have English-speaking operators. Additionally, call your rental company’s emergency line (for Infinity, +974 77772510) after contacting 999, so we can assist promptly.
2️⃣ If it’s just a small scratch or minor parking lot bump, do I still need to call police?
Yes. Even for minor damage, you need a police report to officially document it. Without a report, the rental car insurance will not cover the repair, meaning you’d have to pay the full cost of fixing that “small scratch” (which can be quite expensive on a modern car). In some cases, if both parties agree it’s extremely minor, they might go together later to report – but the safest approach is always notify police immediately.
3️⃣ Will I get arrested if I cause an accident?
For an average accident with no injuries, typically no – you won’t be arrested. The police will make a report and usually that’s it. You might get a traffic violation ticket if you broke a rule. Arrests would only occur in serious situations: if you were driving under influence, if you fled the scene, or if the accident resulted in major injuries/fatality and you were grossly at fault. For the vast majority of fender-benders, it’s a civil matter handled by insurance.
4️⃣ What if the other driver doesn’t speak English or tries to negotiate with me?
In Qatar, you’ll encounter drivers of many nationalities. If communication is a challenge, just wait for the police – they often act as translators. Avoid getting into heated debates. Do not agree to pay any cash to settle things on the spot; always go through official channels. If the other driver suggests moving the cars or going to the police station, ensure you’ve documented the scene first. When in doubt, keep things as they are until authorities arrive.
5️⃣ Do I have to pay anything at the scene of the accident?
No, you won’t pay anything at the scene. The police responding do not collect fines on the spot. Any traffic fine (if you were at fault) would be logged in the system for later payment. For the rental, any charges (like the insurance excess) will be handled between you and the rental company afterward – not at the roadside. Never hand over money to the other party or anyone claiming to be an official at the scene. All financial matters are settled later through proper processes.
We hope you never face an accident, but if you do, Infinity Rent a Car is committed to standing by you every step of the way. Drive safely and enjoy your stay in Qatar!
Contact Us Anytime: +974 77772510 (for both emergencies and general support)
Website: www.infinityrentacar.qa
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