If I scratched a rental car, can I pay for the paint repair out of pocket?

My insurance provided me a car rental while my car is being repaired for hail damage. I swiped the rental car's right side into a concrete pole which resulted in a big scratch about a foot in length. Will the car rental report the damage to my auto insurance? I don't want my rates go up. Do I just pay out-of-pocket with the rental company (I have a $500 deductible)?

It's possible that going through the rental company for the repair will help you avoid a rate increase, but there is no guarantee that they won't notify your insurance provider. I would recommend looking into paying for the repairs yourself, but if the damage is extensive enough where you can't afford the cost then you'll have to file a claim. The first step would be notifying the rental company and let them know of your intention to pay for the damage out of pocket and not involve your insurance provider.