Depending on the circumstances of the accident, either yours or the other driver’s insurance pays for a rental after an accident. However, the quickest way to get back on the road is usually relying on your own car insurance to foot the bill.
What Type of Insurance Covers Renting a Car?
Rental insurance reimbursement helps cover car rental costs. It is an optional coverage with most insurers. But it is useful following an accident that totals your car, or if you need repairs.
It is typically only applicable for covered losses. If you were involved in an accident, then this qualifies as a covered loss.
Unlike other insurance coverages, there is typically no deductible for rental insurance reimbursement. But the coverage usually does come with certain caps or time limits. It is fairly common for rental insurance coverage to pay out for approximately 30 days.
Why Might Using My Own Insurance Be Faster?
Your own insurance will likely pay for your rental car regardless of who was at-fault. If you attempt to get the other insurer to pay for the rental costs, you might be waiting weeks or even months while your insurers argue about who is liable for the accident.
So, if you have rental insurance reimbursement, getting a rental car is as simple as filing a claim with your own insurer.
Can I Get Compensation if the Other Driver Is At-fault for the Collision?
If we can prove the other driver is at-fault, you can recover the costs you or your insurance paid for you to rent a car for a reasonable amount of time.
You can expect the other driver’s insurer to put up a fight if you ended up needing the rental car for an extended period of time.
It is also important to note that insurance companies usually only pay up to a certain amount for rental cars. For example, many insurers will pay for a rental car for up to 30 days at $25-$30 a day. If you rent a Mercedes for 60 days, the other driver’s insurer will likely only cover a small portion of that cost. This could leave you paying hundreds out of pocket.
Call S. Burke Law Today for Help
The team at S. Burke Law knows how frustrating it can be to attempt to deal with an insurer after an accident. If either insurance company — yours or the other driver’s — is refusing to cover the costs for your rental car, we can help.
Give us a call today: 404-842-7838. We can go over your policy and determine your options or help you hold the other driver liable for all your accident-related costs, including renting a car while your vehicle is repaired.