Was your vehicle severely damaged in an auto accident? Are you wondering who is going to pay for your rental car? If you require a rental car after an accident, you may be able to be reimbursed by the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, if you have rental car coverage with your auto insurance company, you may be entitled to reimbursement directly from your own insurance company.
Contact the Fran Haasch Law Group today if you are having trouble getting compensation for your damages after a car accident.
Will My Insurance Pay for a Rental Car?
Most people are unaware that they may have rental car insurance coverage as part of their own auto insurance policy. Rental coverage is typically an add-on to your comprehensive and collision coverage, and it will pay for your rental fees while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident. Rental car reimbursement coverage is not required in most states. Still, most insurance providers carry it, and it is a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if this coverage is included in your policy.
Pay Out-of-Pocket
If you do not have rental car reimbursement coverage and the other company is not paying for your rental, you will be responsible for all rental costs until the case settles.
When the Other Driver is At-Fault
If you have already paid for the rental vehicle, you can submit your receipts to the insurance company to get reimbursed. If you are not the at-fault driver, you can typically get reimbursed by the other party’s insurance company if they are found to be liable. This reimbursement will usually only happen if there is no dispute over who was at fault in the accident.
How Do I Get Rental Reimbursement From an At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Provider?
To get reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you must submit an insurance claim with their insurance provider. You will need to include any receipts or other documentation that shows the cost of the rental car.
It is important to remember that it may take some time for the at-fault party’s insurance company to payout on a claim. If you need a rental car urgently or the other insurance company is slow to admit liability, you may have to seek reimbursement retroactively. In this instance, you should contact your insurance agent and see if your car insurance policy includes rental reimbursement.
What Happens If a Vehicle Has a Total Loss?
If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, you will receive a payout from your insurance company equal to your car’s cash value. The actual cash value is based on the fair market value of your vehicle, minus any depreciation that has occurred.
If you owe more on your vehicle than it is worth, you will be responsible for paying the difference unless you have GAP coverage. This is called a coverage gap.
If you have comprehensive or collision coverage, you may be able to get a higher payout from your insurance company. This is because these types of coverage will pay for damages to your vehicle regardless of who was at fault.
When Fault is Disputed After an Accident
If there is a dispute about who was at fault for an accident, you may have to pay for your rental car until the dispute is resolved. If you have rental car reimbursement coverage, you will usually have to pay a deductible before the coverage kicks in. Once you pay the deductible, your rental car reimbursement coverage will pay for the rest of the cost of the rental car, and your insurance carrier can try to recover your deductible for you from the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.
If you do not have rental car reimbursement coverage, you may have to pay for your rental car out of pocket. If you have any questions about your rights after an accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you understand your options.
What if I’m in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver?
Some insurance policies contain uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your damages if you are hit by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run driver. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be able to recover compensation from your own insurance company.
What Happens If the Insurance Company Rejects My Claim?
Although the at-fault party’s insurer or your own insurance company is supposed to reimburse you for a rental car after an accident, they might try to deny your claim and leave you with the bill. If you encounter issues with your insurance company regarding reimbursement for your rental car, you should get in touch with an experienced lawyer to get assistance with your case. A skilled lawyer can review your policy and use their knowledge of the law to enforce its terms.
What The Fran Haasch Law Group Can Do For You
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we focus on helping you and your family recover. We pursue personal injury lawsuits, and wrongful death claims to obtain full compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage, and more.
With over 20 years of experience, we draw on constant legal and medical research to help clients recover after being injured in auto accidents in Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas. Founding personal injury attorney, Fran Haasch, is a lifetime member of the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum and a member of the American Association for Justice, the Florida Justice Association, and the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association.
Our attorneys are skilled and experienced litigators. We are not afraid to take your lawsuit to trial if necessary. No matter how complicated your case, our firm is here to help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer Today
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we are committed to fighting for your fair recovery. We strive to help injured individuals and the loved ones of those wrongfully killed, secure the full, fair recovery they are owed. We offer dedicated legal representation for car accident victims and bicycle, rideshare, and semi-truck accident victims. If you feel you have been the victim of a car accident through no fault of your own. Our attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the legal process and work toward securing the maximum compensation you are owed. Call (727) 784-8191 or contact us online to get started on receiving maximum compensation for your personal injury case.
