In most cases, a person who’s been involved in a car accident that’s resulted in significant damage is going to need to rent a car. If the car in question can be repaired, then they’ll need a car while it’s being fixed. If the car is totaled, then they’ll need a rental car until they get a check from the insurance company.
As a result, many people wonder: Am I entitled to reimbursement for a car rental after an accident? The answer isn’t quite as simple as a yes or no. In some cases you may, but you should get a clearer answer before you rent a car. Read on to learn more or call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
With or without rental insurance
If your own car insurance policy comes with rental insurance then your insurance company should reimburse you. That said, this is only up to the maximum allowed on your rental policy. If you were not at fault, then it won’t make your insurance premiums go up if you go through your insurance. In fact, your insurance company will cover it for you and then will go to the other driver’s insurance company to get reimbursed themselves.
On the other hand, if you don’t have rental insurance then the situation is different. If the driver who was at fault has liability insurance then their insurance company should reimburse you directly. In some cases they’ll do direct billing which means they’ll cover it up front and you won’t be responsible for a cent, but this is not the norm. You should always consult with a personal injury attorney before you pay for anything so that you can know for sure that you’ll be reimbursed.
There are limits
It doesn’t matter if you end up going through your own insurance company or their insurance company – you’re only going to be reimbursed for a specific number of days. If your car can be repaired, then that number of days is the number of days that your vehicle is actually being repaired. The insurance company will cut off their coverage as soon as your vehicle is ready to be picked up. If your car is totaled, then you’ll get the rental until the date the total loss check is issued to you.
A personal injury attorney can help you move forward
At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas we know that it’s frustrating to be without a vehicle. After an accident, you want life to get back to normal as soon as possible. When you reach out to us at 909-982-0707, we will begin work right away to ensure that you get what you’re entitled to.
In some cases, it may simply be the replacement value of your vehicle, or damages plus loss of value. If you were injured, then there may be additional damages you’re eligible for. The only way to find out for sure is to contact us for your free consultation.
