If you’ve been in a car accident, getting a rental car is one of your first concerns. After being injured in a car accident, you will need a vehicle to get to your doctor’s appointments, get to work, and take care of your family.
When Can I Get a Rental Car?
Immediately. If your vehicle is damaged and undrivable, the at-fault driver is required to rent a car for you or pay for the loss of use during the repair or replacement period.
Act quickly and contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company as soon as possible. Delays in communication can lead to unnecessary waiting times for your rental car. Document the damage to your vehicle thoroughly with photos and written descriptions to ensure the insurance company has all the necessary information to process your rental car request promptly.
How Long Can I Keep the Rental Car?
If your car is being repaired, you are entitled to a rental from the day that it goes in the repair shop until the day that your repair is finished.
Stay in regular contact with the repair shop to monitor the progress of the repairs. Insurance companies typically cover rental costs for a reasonable amount of time, usually during the repair process. However, if there are any delays or complications with the repairs, inform the insurance company immediately to avoid issues with rental car coverage.
What Kind of Rental Car Can I Get?
The rental vehicle provided should be comparable to the vehicle damaged in the accident. If you were driving a pickup truck, it is not reasonable for your replacement vehicle to be a subcompact.
When speaking with the insurance company, specify the type of vehicle you were driving and its features. This ensures you get a rental car that meets your needs. If you have special requirements, such as needing a larger vehicle for family use or a truck for work purposes, communicate these needs clearly to the insurance adjuster.
What If My Car is a Total Loss?
The insurance company will typically pay for your rental car until the day they make their offer. Some insurance companies will allow you a couple of extra days in the rental so you can car shop, or it might take them time to get you the check. The number of days they allow is negotiable, and some will allow up to 5 days. The courteous, cooperative, and professional people usually get more grace periods here than the chronic complainers.
When your car is declared a total loss, begin the process of finding a new vehicle as soon as possible. Being proactive can reduce the stress and inconvenience of being without a car. Keep all receipts and documents related to the rental car to ensure you are reimbursed for any additional expenses incurred during this period.
What If I Don’t Need a Rental?
If you have a second car or a friend’s car to borrow, ask the at-fault adjuster to “CASH YOU OUT” for your rental. The legal term for this is known as “loss of use.” You should be given a check for the daily rate you were entitled to for the time frame of your repair. You should also be cashed out for any day you did not have a rental when you were entitled to have one.
Discuss the daily rate for the rental car with the insurance adjuster to ensure you receive a fair amount. If you choose to use a personal or borrowed vehicle, keep detailed records of the days and reasons you did not need a rental car to present to the insurance company.
The above procedure should go smoothly when the other driver is clearly at fault and their insurance company accepts liability. However, when the other driver’s insurance company is having difficulty accepting responsibility, you will need to go through your own insurance company.
How to Use My Own Rental Coverage?
Read your policy or talk to your insurance adjuster to determine if you have rental coverage through your insurance company. If you do, they will pay for your rental car while your car gets fixed. Your insurance company will, in turn, fight the at-fault driver’s insurance company to get compensated for the money they paid for your rental car once we resolve the responsibility for the motor vehicle crash.
It’s essential to know the details of your insurance policy, including any rental car coverage. If you have this coverage, inform your insurance company about the accident immediately. They will provide guidance on how to proceed and what documentation you need to submit. Keep a copy of your insurance policy handy to reference specific terms and conditions related to rental car coverage.
The key is to apply pressure to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The pressure you can apply is limited if you do not have a lawyer because you do not have a hammer (lawsuits are hammers). But you can still pressure the insurer to do the right thing. Remember that you must comply with the time limit to bring a claim to your jurisdiction.
What Should I Do If I Have Suffered a Serious Injury in My Car Accident?
We handle serious injury auto accident cases in Washington. We have successfully resolved hundreds of motor vehicle collision cases, earning over $10 million in compensation for personal injury victims in settlements and trial verdicts.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, call us at 206-497-4357 for a free consultation.