Can I get a rental car while my vehicle is being repaired?

Rental car reimbursement insurance may be an excellent option to add to your policy, along with comprehensive car insurance. Rental car reimbursement insurance is not expensive. The average cost is only $35 to $60 a year.

If your car is involved in an accident and needs extensive repairs, the cost of having to rent a car while your vehicle is in the shop may be significant.

Getting a Rental Car While Your Car is Being Repaired

Rental car reimbursement insurance pays for a rental car as long as the accident is covered under your collision or comprehensive policies, even if the accident was your fault.

A search for an expert guide on car insurance deductibles concludes that rental car reimbursement insurance is not a type of insurance with a deductible.

If the accident is a covered event under your existing insurance that has the optional rental car reimbursement add-on, then the cost of the rental car is reimbursed by the insurance company.

If the other driver is at fault for causing the accident, you may be able to claim the cost of a rental car while your car is in the repair shop. The claim may be made under the liability portion of the other driver’s insurance, and the driver does not necessarily need to have optional rental car reimbursement insurance.

Rental Car Reimbursement Limits

Typically, rental car reimbursement insurance has a daily limit that the policy will pay for a rental car. Most of these policies cover a medium-to-large vehicle as a reimbursed rental car.

Maximum Limits

Rental car reimbursement insurance may have a maximum payout dollar limit of an average of $800 or only cover rental car expenses for up to 30 days.

Minimum State Insurance Requirements vs. Full Insurance

These categories of state minimum insurance requirements versus full coverage car insurance are two opposite ends of the auto insurance spectrum. The state minimums are the bare bones amounts to have something to pay for damages caused by an accident.

Most find the policy limits for state minimum requirements to be insufficient. They are usually not enough to cover the actual damages in an accident.

Rental reimbursement insurance is not part of any state’s minimum car insurance requirements. A state’s minimum insurance requirements only relate to having insurance coverage for liability and property damage.

Rental reimbursement insurance is an add-on for full insurance for those who wish to have the most extensive coverage possible in terms of liability, collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection, medical bills coverage, and rental reimbursement insurance.

Case Studies: Getting a Rental Car While Your Vehicle is Being Repaired

Case Study 1: John’s Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage

John recently got into a car accident that caused significant damage to his vehicle. Fortunately, John had rental reimbursement coverage as part of his car insurance policy.

He was able to get a rental car while his car was being repaired, and the cost of the rental was covered by his insurance. This additional coverage provided him with peace of mind and allowed him to continue his daily activities without any inconvenience.

Read more: Does my car insurance cover rental reimbursement if my car is being repaired?

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Comprehensive Coverage and Rental Car Reimbursement

Sarah’s car was vandalized, and the repairs required her vehicle to be in the shop for several days. Luckily, Sarah had comprehensive coverage and rental car reimbursement insurance.

Her insurance company covered the cost of a rental car during the repair period, ensuring that she had transportation to work and other essential places. Without this coverage, Sarah would have had to bear the expense of renting a car out of pocket.

Case Study 3: Mike’s Liability Claim For a Rental Car

Mike was involved in an accident where the other driver was at fault. Although the at-fault driver did not have rental car reimbursement insurance, Mike was still able to claim the cost of a rental car while his vehicle was being repaired.

He made a liability claim under the other driver’s insurance, and they covered the rental expenses. This case demonstrates that even if you don’t have rental reimbursement coverage, you may still be eligible for a rental car if the accident was caused by someone else.

A Final Word on Getting a Rental Car While Your Vehicle is Being Repaired

Getting in an accident is traumatic. It is comforting for many to carry rental reimbursement insurance as an add-on to existing policies because it is inexpensive. Knowing that a rental car will be available if you need one after a car accident can bring you peace of mind.