You probably have a lot of questions following a motor vehicle accident. It’s common to wonder if your vehicle can be repaired, what to do if you need medical treatment, and how you will pay for these expenses. If you need a rental car, it’s also common to wonder who pays for it after an accident.
Like many other legal questions, the answer is not always clear. Whether your insurance provider will pay for your rental car depends on the terms of the policy as well as who is at fault for the accident. A car accident lawyer can advise you on what you might be entitled to recover through an insurance claim.
An Insurance Company Might Cover Your Car Rental Costs
In many cases, an insurance company will pick up the bill for a rental car after an accident. It could be your carrier paying out benefits according to the terms of your policy. The insurance carrier for the other driver could also cover your rental car costs if you were not at fault for the accident.
Whichever policy applies to your accident, it’s the terms of that policy that matter the most. After all, some drivers can and do waive rental coverage when they purchase insurance. If a driver lacks rental car coverage on their policy, they will be left paying for these expenses out of their own pocket.
Your Policy Might Pay If You Are at Fault
If you are at fault for the accident, it’s possible that your own insurance policy might still cover the cost of a rental car. As mentioned above, whether or not your insurance provider pays for your rental car depends entirely on the language of your policy. After all, your insurer is not going to pick up that expense out of the goodness of their hearts.
It’s a good idea to not only review your policy but also discuss the possibility of a rental vehicle with your adjuster. Some insurance companies require that you notify them of your intent to use a rental vehicle, while others might ask you to use a preferred rental company. An attorney can help you navigate this complicated process and deal directly with the insurance company for you.
The Other Driver’s Policy Might Pay If You Are Not at Fault
If the other driver is at fault for your accident, their liability insurance coverage could pay for all of your losses—including the cost of your rental vehicle. However, it’s important to remember that Florida is a no-fault insurance state. In many situations, you must rely on your own policy for compensation when you are involved in an accident.
The good news is that car accident attorneys understand how and when to bypass the no-fault insurance system. If you suffered serious injuries in the collision, we could help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. This lawsuit could provide you with the compensation you need to cover the cost of a rental vehicle and much more.
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How Long Will the Insurance Company Pay for My Rental Car?
There’s more to renting a vehicle after an accident than determining if an insurance company is willing to pay. It’s also important to understand just how long they will keep paying for your rental vehicle. Many insurance companies have deadlines—and if you keep your rental vehicle past those deadlines, you may be personally responsible for all additional costs.
If your vehicle is being repaired after an accident and your policy provides for rental coverage, you will often have coverage until your vehicle is repaired. However, insurance companies rarely give you an open-ended rental period. Even in these situations, you can expect the insurance company to authorize a rental for two weeks. If your repairs take longer than that, you will likely have to request additional coverage from your adjuster.
The process is different if your vehicle is a total loss. Insurance companies will give you a set amount of time to rent a vehicle as you look to purchase a replacement, but this period is rarely longer than two weeks. Although insurance companies can give extensions, most put a hard limit on the cost of car rental at 30 days of use.
Do I Have to Rent a Vehicle?
Most people need temporary transportation when their vehicle is damaged or destroyed in an accident. In many cases, one of the insurance policies in place at the time of the accident might cover those costs for you. But what if you do not want to request a rental to replace your vehicle while it’s in the shop?
You are not obligated to rent a car after an accident—even if your policy will pay for it. However, your policy will likely not offer you cash compensation in lieu of this benefit. If you don’t rent a vehicle, there are no rental costs for your policy to cover.
Whether you accept a rental vehicle or not, you might be entitled to damages due to the loss of your vehicle. The attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns can not only advise you on whether your insurance policy will cover the cost of a rental car, but we can also help you pursue compensation based on the loss in value of your vehicle.
Let Our Firm Advise You After a Car Accident
Dealing with insurance companies is often one of the major frustrations that come with an accident. These frustrations can be heightened when trying to arrange for a rental car. Even when your policy requires your insurer to cover these costs, your carrier might not make the process easy.
An attorney from Bogin, Munns & Munns can help determine who should pay for your rental car after an accident and help you seek the compensation you deserve as well. To learn more about your legal options, contact us for a free consultation as soon as possible.
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