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After an accident, your car may be in the shop (or even totaled), leaving you without transportation. To continue daily life, you may need a rental car. The first question is whether your insurance policy will cover it?
Most insurers offer rental reimbursement as an optional add-on to your collision/comprehensive coverage. As Experian & Car and Driver explain, if you’ve purchased rental reimbursement, your policy will pay for a comparable rental while your vehicle is repaired after a covered accident. This coverage typically costs only a few dollars a month (often $2–$15), and can be invaluable if you rely on your car daily.
If you were at fault in the crash, your own liability coverage does not pay for your rental; you must either use your optional rental reimbursement or pay out of pocket. By contrast, if another driver caused the crash, that at-fault driver’s liability insurance should cover your rental costs (for a reasonable period while your car is repaired). In short:
Rental reimbursement on your policy:
Pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss. Without it, your own policy won’t automatically pay for a rental (except possibly under collision if you claim your car’s damage).
At-fault party’s insurance:
If another driver is liable, their insurer generally must pay your transportation costs. Many states require the at-fault insurer to reimburse your “loss of use” (basically the rental) that is “reasonable and necessary.” Keep all rental receipts and promptly file a claim with the at-fault insurer.
No coverage on your policy:
You’ll have to rent on your own dime and later seek reimbursement. For example, the DC insurance bureau notes that if you don’t have rental coverage on your policy, “the cost of a rental car will only be covered if you paid a premium to include rental reimbursement coverage.” In that case, pay upfront and save receipts to submit to the liable insurer (or use your collision coverage to get fixed sooner, then recover your deductible from the at-fault party).
How Long Will Insurance Pay for a Rental Car During Repairs?
With rental reimbursement active (or an at-fault claim underway), coverage lasts only as long as it’s reasonable typically the time needed to repair or replace your vehicle. Most rental-reimbursement policies cap the days or dollars they’ll pay. For example, many plans limit coverage to about 30 days in total. Daily and overall caps are common – a sample policy might cover $50 per day up to $1,500 total (i.e. 30 days at $50/day). Car and Driver confirms that 30 days is typical, noting that beyond a month you’d pay out of pocket.
In practice, you can usually keep the rental until the repairs are done or the policy limit runs out. You may keep the rental “until your damaged vehicle is back on the road or until your coverage limit runs out.” Experian likewise explains that coverage ends when the shop finishes repairs. In other words, once your car is fixed and you retrieve it, rental benefits stop. (If you leave your rental unused, you often still owe for those days.)
Because repair timelines can slip (parts delays, shop backlogs, etc.), it’s smart to confirm limits with your insurer. Asking your state’s insurance department such as the Connecticut Insurance Department can also help you understand typical state guidelines and consumer protections. If repairs exceed the limit, additional rental days will cost you. If a shop needs more than a month to repair your car, “you may incur out-of-pocket expenses.” Likewise, if you go beyond the daily or total cap, you’ll pay the difference.
In summary
With a typical 30-day/$1,000–$1,500 limit, most repairs (averaging about two weeks according to the Insurance Information Institute) are covered. But plan to return the rental once the car is ready or be prepared to switch to your own vehicle or another arrangement if coverage ends.
How Long Can I Keep a Rental Car After a Total Loss?
If your car is declared a total loss, your rental coverage typically ends shortly after. Insurers don’t continue paying indefinitely once they agree your car won’t be repaired. For example, if your vehicle is totaled, the authorized rental time will be “limited” and that you should start shopping for a replacement immediately. Similarly, when a car is totaled, most companies will pay for a rental “until a settlement has been offered” for your vehicle. In practice, this means once the insurer tells you how much they will pay for your old car, your rental benefits usually stop.
What if the other party is at-fault?
If the other driver is at fault, their insurer normally covers your rental through the settlement phase. True North Injury Law explains that the at-fault insurer “should provide you with a rental car until your vehicle is repaired or until a reasonable offer has been made if the vehicle was a total loss.” In either case, expect that after a total loss you’ll only get a rental for a short period (often a few days to a few weeks) just enough time to find and purchase a replacement vehicle. Once the claim settles, you must return the rental.
What Else Can the At-Fault Party Be Responsible For?
Beyond the rental car, the at-fault driver’s insurance is liable for essentially all your accident-related losses. This includes:
- Loss of use (rental car): Reimbursement for the reasonable cost of a rental car (sometimes termed “loss-of-use”) while your car is in repair.
- Vehicle repair/replacement: Paying to fix your car or replace it if totaled (cash value minus deductible).
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgeries, therapy and related medical costs for your injuries.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income you can’t earn while recovering from injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
Legal experts note you can recover not only rental car costs but also “medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering” from the at-fault party. Other recoverable costs may include towing and storage fees, and in some cases diminished value of your car.
If the at-fault driver had no insurance or insufficient coverage, you would rely on your own coverage (collision or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage) to handle repairs and injury costs. Your provincial/state department such as the OMT(Ontario ministry of transportation) also provides consumer guidance on accident reporting and insurance responsibilities. But your rental reimbursement (if any) would still be needed for transportation. Always save receipts and document losses, your attorney or insurer can then demand full reimbursement of these additional costs from the responsible party.
Which Personal Injury Lawyer to Consult?
After an accident, a good car-accident attorney can be invaluable in navigating insurance claims. When choosing a personal injury lawyer, consider:
- Experience and Focus: Look for an attorney who specializes in auto accidents or personal injury, with a track record of handling claims like yours.
- No Upfront Fees: Most car accident lawyers work on contingency (they get paid a percentage only if you recover money).
- Free Consultation: Many firms offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case.
- Reputation: Check reviews, testimonials, and peer ratings.
- Communication: The attorney should communicate clearly and frequently.
- Resources and Support: A strong firm will have investigators, experts, and time to commit to your case.
Choosing the right attorney means finding someone trustworthy and experienced who will fight for the full compensation you deserve (including all rental costs and damages). During your consultation, confirm their fee structure and ensure you understand your agreement before signing.