Can You Get A Car Rental From Your Insurance Provider After A Car Accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident, getting a rental car after the accident can make the complicated aftermath less difficult for you and your family. A rental car will make it easier to go for physical therapy, doctor appointments, work (if possible), or taking children to school. A personal injury attorney can help with this complicated process.
When Can You Get a Rental Car?
The insurance company that you are dealing with will determine when and how you can get a rental car. A qualified personal injury law firm hires professionals that deal with different insurance companies regularly and will help you obtain the rental car that you need.
What Happens If You Have Rental Coverage Under Your Insurance Policy?
A representative of your insurance company will help you rent a vehicle within a matter of just a few days. If you are not sure whether you have rental coverage under your policy, you should find out from your insurance company. Adding rental coverage immediately after you are involved in a car accident is usually not an option.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Rental Coverage Under Your Insurance Policy?
The insurance company of the person that hit you is responsible for approving your rental car. The same insurance company investigates the accident to establish liability and helps determine whether to authorize a rental vehicle for you. The process could take as much as one week or even longer in accidents where the insurance provider disputes liability on behalf of its insured driver.
Is the Insurance Provider Obligated to Provide a Rental Car?
The insurance company is not obligated to provide a rental car. However, it has the following options:
- It can provide a rental car then cover the expenses so that you are not liable for any personal out-of-pocket costs.
- It can make you pay the rental car fee upfront then reimburse you once you submit the relevant paperwork. However, this can be financially constraining because a rental car can cost as high as $100 a day or even higher and you might have it for one week.
- It can pay a ‘loss per day’ amount, which is the rate that it can rent a car for, which means that it is the same amount you can rent too. However, most insurance companies only reimburse you for out-of-pocket fees which you have accrued.
Different insurance providers handle rental car agreements differently. It is thus advisable to consult a representative of your insurance company as well as the car rental company before you choose to rent a car on your own.
The Bottom Line
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is possible to obtain a rental car from your insurance company. However, the insurance company is not obligated to provide one, and the process of getting a rental car can be complicated and confusing at times. A professional and experienced personal injury attorney will work tirelessly to make the process less stressful for you and your family.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Personal Injury Lawyer
Christopher Montes de Oca is an experienced personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. Chris is recognized as a “Super Lawyer Rising Star,” a recognition that only 2.5 percent of lawyers receive, because of the exceptional results he has seen and his dedication to his clients. Chris services clients throughout Los Angeles, including Echo Park, Maywood, Long Beach, Whittier, Glendale, La Mirada, Pico Rivera, Hacienda Heights, and Alhambra. Call him today for a free consultation at (562) 901-4664.