Photo of Attorneys M Brack Massey Charles R Hardee and Kyle M Blodgett

Our Family is Ready to Help Yours

AM I ENTITLED TO A RENTAL VEHICLE AFTER AN ACCIDENT?

On Behalf of | Feb 16, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury

If you have been in an accident and your vehicle was severely damaged, you may be wondering if you are entitled to a rental vehicle. The answer is yes!

If the vehicle is disabled, you are entitled to a rental vehicle from the time of the collision until the repairs are finished. If your vehicle is not disabled, then you are entitled to a rental vehicle starting on the day the body shop begins working on the repairs. The insurance adjuster, who works for the insurance company, knows how many days it will take to repair your vehicle and normally will not allow any additional days beyond that for a rental vehicle. If the body shop is slow in completing the repairs on your vehicle, the insurance company will not pay for any more time than was reasonably necessary for the repair your vehicle, so you should pick a reputable body shop that stands by its repairs and will also be responsible for any delays.

In most cased you will be provided a rental vehicle that is comparable to the car that was damaged. Some insurance companies have arrangements with rental companies where one call from the insurance company to the rental company will produce a vehicle at fairly modest costs which the insurance company will either pay direct or reimburse you for later.

In the case where an insurance company will not provide  you with a rental vehicle because the insured has not reported the claim or they are still investigating the claim, you can rent a vehicle at prevailing market prices and then if the liability company accepts liability they should ultimately pay for the vehicle and possibly allow you to continue renting.

If you decide to rent a vehicle on your own, you are taking a chance that the insurance company will not accept responsibility. You should always rent a car from a contract rental agency that charges insurance rates. If you don’t,  often the liability insurance company will refuse to be liable for the initial rental costs at the higher rates of insurance if rates were available at another company for less. Mileage and gas are not paid for by the liability insurance company, just the daily rental cost of the vehicle.

If you have been injured in an accident and need access to a rental car, you may need to contact an experienced car accident attorney who can help you navigate the complex system. Call the team of trusted attorneys at Hardee, Massey & Blodgett for a free consultation today.