Short answer. After an accident in a rental car in Baku, do not move the car. Switch on the hazard lights. Call the police on 102 and then call us. You need the police report to claim anything. Leaving the scene can cancel your insurance. The rule applies even to a small scratch in a car park.
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An accident in a rental car in Baku: the first five minutes
- Stop and do not move the car. Its position is evidence.
- Switch on the hazard lights. Put out the warning triangle.
- Check whether anyone is hurt. Call 103 for an ambulance if they are.
- Call the police on 102. 112 also works and connects to all services.
- Call the rental company. The number is on your contract.
Moving the car before the police arrive is the mistake that costs the most.
What should you photograph?
Photograph both cars, the plates, the damage, the road and the signs. Take more photos than feel necessary. In Azerbaijan the photos decide the claim.
- Both cars from four corners, wide enough to show the road
- Close-ups of every damaged part
- Both number plates
- Skid marks, debris and the road surface
- Traffic signs and lights at the junction
- The other driver’s licence and insurance paper
Get a phone number from any witness. One neutral witness changes a disputed case.
Which numbers matter?
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Unified emergency line | 112 |
| Police | 102 |
| Ambulance | 103 |
| Fire service | 101 |
| Your rental company | on your contract |
Save 102, the Azerbaijani emergency number, and our number on day one. Do it before you need them.
What does the police report do?
The police report records what happened and who is at fault. Without it there is no insurance claim.
Read it before you sign. Ask for a translation if it is only in Azerbaijani.
Do not sign anything you do not understand. Call us and we will help on the phone.
Keep a photo of every page. You will need it later.
What does insurance actually cover?
Every car here carries compulsory liability insurance. Compulsory insurance pays the other party, not you.
| Cover | Limit |
|---|---|
| Damage to another person’s property | 5,000 AZN |
| Harm to one person’s health | 5,000 AZN |
| Damage to the car you are driving | nothing |
Damage to the rental car is a separate matter. The excess covers damage to the rental car.
The full picture is in our guide to car rental insurance in Azerbaijan.
What cancels your cover completely?
Leaving the scene, any alcohol, an unnamed driver or no police report cancels your cover.
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Leaving the scene | Cover is void |
| Any alcohol in your blood | Cover is void. The limit is 0.00 |
| Driver not named in the contract | Cover is void |
| No police report | No claim is possible |
| Driving off paved roads | Usually excluded |
In Azerbaijan the second driver rule catches people often. A friend takes the wheel for twenty minutes and the cover stops.
What about a tiny scratch in a car park?
A tiny scratch in a car park still needs the police and a report. Call 102 even for paint damage.
Azerbaijan does not use the informal European accident form. Without a report the damage is simply yours.
Photograph the car at handover, before you drive away. Handover photos prove which marks were already there.
What happens next with us?
Our Baku office answers the phone and tells you what to do in your language.
We arrange a replacement car when one is available. We handle the paperwork with the insurer.
Your share is limited to the excess written in your contract. Ask for that figure before you sign, on our terms page.
What do we do if you have an accident?
Call us first after an accident. We tell you what to sign and handle the claim.
- Call us first. The phone answers 24/7.
- We tell you what to sign and what not to sign.
- ICBARI liability cover is in every rental price.
- Full damage cover with a 300 to 500 EUR excess is optional.
- Only drivers named in the contract are covered.
Traffic police and emergency numbers are listed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
We have rented cars in Baku since 2023 and run 105 cars today. The office is open 24/7 and the phone answers at night.
BookingCarBaku staff speak Azerbaijani, Russian, English and Turkish.
Common questions
Can I move the car if it blocks traffic?
Move the car only after photographing it in place from several angles. Then follow Azerbaijani police instructions.
Do the police speak English?
Some do, and many speak Russian. Call our Baku office and we translate by phone.
What if the other driver wants to settle in cash?
Do not agree to a cash settlement. Without a report you carry the whole cost of the rental car.
How long does a police report take?
A police report takes one to two hours at the scene in Azerbaijan. Longer if anyone is injured.
Will I get a replacement car?
Our Baku office arranges one when a car is free. Call as early as you can.
Does my travel insurance help?
Some policies cover the rental excess in Azerbaijan. Check yours before you travel.
Save our number before you drive. Contact us here, and read our first-time driving guide before day one.
