Posted on Monday, May 27th, 2024 at 9:00 am
When you suffer a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you face a whirlwind of stressful challenges – seeking medical care for your injuries, missing work, and figuring out how to pay your medical bills. Amidst all that turmoil, you still need a way to get around, especially if your car sits in a repair shop or ends up totaled. Many accident victims wonder: Who pays for rental car after car accident?
At London Harker Injury Law, our Sandy and Provo car accident lawyers understand that transportation is necessary, not a luxury. We also know that shelling out for a rental car is the last thing you need when drowning in accident-related expenses. Let’s break down your options for getting a rental car after a crash that wasn’t your fault.
The At-Fault Driver’s Duty to Cover Your Rental Costs
Don’t know who pays for rental car after car accident? Does at-fault driver pay for rental car? If another driver caused your accident, they bear financial responsibility for all your resulting damages. This includes the cost of a rental car while your vehicle gets repaired or replaced and all medical expenses and medical costs.
In theory, the at-fault motorist’s car insurance should cover your rental car fees from the get-go. But in practice, at-fault insurers often drag their feet, especially when accepting liability for the crash.
In Utah, insurance companies have up to 30 days to investigate a car accident and determine fault before they accept liability. That means you could find yourself without a replacement vehicle for a month without other options.
Thankfully, you have a few potential paths to getting a rental car after an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Option One: Renting Through the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
If the other driver’s insurance company accepts liability insurance immediately, you can rent a car directly through them. Here’s how that process generally works:
- The at-fault insurer will refer you to their preferred rental agency and authorize the rental of your car.
- You rent the car as instructed, and the insurance company will foot the bill.
- You can keep the rental until your car gets fixed or the insurer settles your property damage claim.
In a perfect world, this approach provides a seamless way to get a temporary replacement vehicle at no cost to you. But if the insurance company disputes fault for the accident, you’ll find yourself stuck without a rental.
Option Two: Using Your Rental Coverage
What if you need a rental car, but the at-fault driver’s insurer refuses to accept liability? Your first line of defense is your auto insurance policy.
Take a close look at your insurance declarations page. If you have an add-on called “rental reimbursement coverage,” your carrier should cover the cost of a rental car until the other insurance company steps up or your claim gets resolved.
To use your rental reimbursement coverage after a car accident claim:
- Contact your insurance adjuster or agent immediately and ask them to walk you through the process.
- Your insurer should connect you with one of their approved rental agencies to get you a temporary vehicle.
- You may have to pay for the rental car up-front. If so, keep all your receipts to get reimbursed.
Be aware that rental reimbursement coverage does come with daily and per-claim limits. Most policies will only pay for a rental car up to a certain dollar amount per day and up to a maximum total amount. Clarify your limits with your agent before renting.
Paying Out-of-Pocket for a Post-Accident Rental
Will insurance cover rental car after accident? If you don’t have rental reimbursement coverage and the at-fault driver’s insurer refuses to accept liability, you can still rent a car – you’ll have to pay for it yourself and seek reimbursement from the at-fault insurer later. Here are some tips for handling an out-of-pocket accident rental:
- Choose an Economy Car: Resist the urge to splurge on a luxury rental. Insurance companies will only reimburse you for a rental car that’s comparable to your vehicle. You won’t recoup the total cost if you rent something unnecessarily expensive.
- Decline Extra Insurance: Rental car companies and agencies always push supplemental insurance, but you don’t need it. Your existing auto insurance policy should extend to your rental car. Paying for additional coverage will inflate your bill, and the at-fault party’s insurer will likely refuse to pay for it.
- Keep All Documentation: Save every single receipt related to your rental car. This includes any personal auto insurance receipts you had paid for the rental car. You’ll need that paper trail when you seek reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance company.
Rental Car Rules for Total Loss Vehicles
If the at-fault driver’s insurer accepts liability and declares your car a total loss, they should provide you with a rental vehicle until they make you a settlement offer or tender payment for the fair market value of your totaled car.
The same principle applies if you have rental reimbursement through your insurer. Your insurer should authorize a rental car until they pay you for the pre-accident cash value of your totaled vehicle.
However, if you cover the rental cost while the insurance companies sort things out, you can usually only seek reimbursement for the time it reasonably took the at-fault insurer to decide your car was totaled and make an initial offer. Extra rental days beyond that window likely won’t get covered.
Don’t Let Transportation Woes Derail Your Life
We understand reading about all these rental car options can make your head spin, especially when you’re already reeling from an accident that wasn’t your fault. You need a way to get back to work, make doctor’s appointments, and live your life. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops or drain your savings to make that happen.
That’s where London Harker Injury Law comes in. When you hire our experienced Sandy and Provo car accident attorneys to handle your insurance claim, we can remove the burden of dealing with insurance companies from your shoulders. We know the games insurers play to avoid responsibility, and we don’t let them get away with it. If all else fails, filing a claim with an experienced car accident lawyer is your best bet.
Were You Hurt in a Crash? Contact London Harker Injury Law Today
Still unsure who pays for rental car after car accident? If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, don’t hesitate to contact the dedicated legal team at London Harker Injury Law. Our Sandy and Provo car accident lawyers are ready to listen to your story, explain your rights, and fight for the total compensation you deserve.
Call our office anytime at 77CARCRASH or complete our online contact form to schedule your free case consultation. We’ll answer your questions, help you understand the following steps, and do everything possible to make you feel supported and empowered.
