How To Get A Rental Car From Insurance Claim

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When you're in an accident, you have a lot to deal with, from police reports to car repairs. What you don't want to worry about is how you're going to get to work and get the kids off to school. There are a couple of ways to get a rental car from an insurance claim, either from your own policy or the at-fault driver's. Use this guide to find out how to get a rental car from insurance claim.

Basic Rental Car Coverage

The odds are high you'll going to get into a fender bender someday. When the inevitable happens, and your car gets crunched, it will need some time in the shop for repairs. Depending on the severity of the damage, it could be a day or even weeks before you get it back. In the meantime, you'll need a replacement car.

Depending on who's at fault, the circumstances of the accident, and your auto policy's coverage, the cost of your rental car — or a portion of it — may be covered. Remember, your auto insurance won't cover this cost automatically. You have a role to play in recovering these expenses.

Since insurance companies want to keep their costs as low as possible, they will likely offer you the cheapest, smallest vehicle on the rental lot under the guise of "reasonable" expenses. Bear in mind that you are entitled to a rental car that's similar to your vehicle. If you drive a pickup and you require a similar truck for work, don't be afraid to insist on what you need.

If you don't already have it, adding this helpful type of reimbursement coverage is an easy task, and it won't add much to your monthly premium. Give your agent a call or check their website when you're ready to add it to your policy.

Advantages of Having Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage

Your insurance company will only cover the use of a rental car if your policy includes rental car reimbursement. Insurance companies might also refer to this as "substitute transportation" or "loss of use" coverage. It's an affordable add-on to your existing policy that gives you peace of mind.

If you have rental reimbursement protection, enjoy coverage up to your policy's limits. Most insurers have both a daily and an overall limit that you can spend. One example provided by Policygenius limits the coverage to $40 a day with a maximum of $1000 for you to invest in your rental car. If you get a car that costs $60 a day, you're on the hook for the difference: $20 every day.

How Does Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage Work?

Most auto insurance companies have reciprocal relationships with leading rental car companies. For example, GEICO's preferred company is Enterprise Rent-A-Car. It pays to take advantage of this agreement and its potential discounts. Plus, says Enterprise, the rental car company might be willing to bill the cost of your rental car directly to your insurer.

If you're not sure if your insurance company has an agreement with a specific rental car agency, it's worth a question. Ask the agent if it's possible to streamline the process and bill your provider. Filing a claim with your own insurance company usually means it's processed faster, allowing you to get back on the road in your rental much sooner.

If you prefer, pay for your rental car upfront, then file a claim with your auto insurer at a later date. Your policy will only reimburse you up to your coverage limits, so don't insist on a pricey, flashy rental, assuming it's free on your end. Save your receipts and any other relevant documents to include with your claim. You want the reimbursement process to go as smoothly as possible.

Also remember that rental car reimbursement coverage doesn't cover security deposits, gas, or any optional insurance you want to add. Check with your insurance agent if you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your existing policy. These policies might also cover your rental.

Where Can I File a Claim for a Car Rental after a Car Accident?

You have more than one option when it comes to getting and paying for that much-needed rental car after an accident. If the other driver was found at fault for the wreck, you could receive money from the negligent driver's insurance company. Part of the driver's responsibilities is the cost of your car rental fees. That person's auto policy will reimburse you as part of your settlement. This is called a third-party claim, and it comes with no fixed limit on the number of covered days like you probably have under your own policy.

If you need to get a rental car before the police determine who is the at-fault driver, use your rental car reimbursement policy or pay out-of-pocket and wait to get reimbursed by the other person's provider once the case settles.

If you live in the Peach State, you might have another advantage, according to Brauns Law. Under Georgia law, if you purchased rental car insurance, you can file a claim regardless of whether the negligent driver had insurance that would pay for your expenses.

Steps to Getting Rental Reimbursement from an At-Fault Driver's Insurer

Regardless of who you think is at fault after a crash, the experts at ValuePenguin advise that you take these steps to protect your financial interests:

Call the police. Obtaining a police report is crucial to determining the validity of your claim.
Ask all other drivers involved for their contact and insurance information.
Document what happened. If you have a smartphone, dictate yourself a note while the details are fresh.
You can also use your cellphone's camera to take pictures of your car and the overall scene.
If the other driver is at fault, plan to contact that individual's insurance company directly to start the claim process.

The moments immediately following an accident can be challenging. Armed with this handy guide, you'll know exactly what to do to ensure you get reimbursed for your rental car.

Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Duane Sayaloune of YourMechanic.com . For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at research@caranddriver.com .

Sources:

https://www.policygenius.com/auto-insurance/how-to-get-a-rental-car-from-an-insurance-claim-after-an-accident/

https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/get-rental-car-from-insurance-claim

https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental/rent-a-car-after-an-accident/who-pays.html

https://braunslaw.com/faqs/getting-a-car-rental-paid-for-after-your-car-accident/

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g27242492/best-pickup-trucks/

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a21289331/this-is-the-new-2020-ford-explorerin-cop-car-form/

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