Imagine that someone has just been in a car accident; it wasn't the affected party's fault, their car is either damaged or in the process of being repaired, and they're wondering how to acquire a rental vehicle after a car accident. There are many individuals who have wondered about this.
Are Individuals Entitled to a Rental Car After an Accident?
If one owns a vehicle that was damaged and requires repairs as a result of a car accident where they were clearly not at fault, they have a good chance of receiving a rental car 'paid-for' by the at-fault driver's auto insurance carrier. It's not as simple as it appears, and they may be required to prove some of the following:
Is it possible that the other driver was at fault? Is it evident or debatable? It can be more difficult to get the rental vehicle paid for if the fault is questionable.
Is it obvious that the repairs were necessary as a result of the accident? This is clear in catastrophic incidents, but it can be a hassle in minor ones.
Is there a clear connection between the drivers' stories? Insurance firms do not simply dish away cash. If there are no red flags and the accounts are consistent, there's a strong chance the at-fault driver's insurance company may comply.
Is the at-fault driver covered by auto insurance? One may want to continue reading if the driver does not.
After the accident, make sure to speak to an insurance representative to learn about the compensation options available.
What Is Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage?
Rental reimbursement coverage on vehicle insurance policies means that if one has a car accident, their insurance company should reimburse them for the cost of a rental automobile, regardless of who was at fault. One should talk to their insurance carrier about the coverage option because varying insurance companies may provide different specifics - for the most part, this policy would eliminate the trouble of finding a rental car following an accident.
If the other driver is found to be at fault, one's insurance company would be reimbursed for the money they spent on the rental car following the car accident.
How Does One Get a Rental Car After an Accident?
Following a car accident, the measures are fairly basic and are as follows:
Get the insurance and contact details of the other driver
Get a copy of the police report
Take photos, write down witness statements, and document anything one remembers to gather as much evidence as possible from the incident
Seek medical assistance
Make contact with one's insurance provider
Once one has contacted their insurance carrier, the company should be able to give them an idea of their choices for auto body shops, car rentals, and reimbursement
Does One Have a Say in the Rental Car Company Used?
This is entirely up to the person's car insurance provider. One may want to speak to them because they usually have established relationships.
What Are One's Options if the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
If one does not have rental car coverage, they should contact their insurance company first. There's a chance they may cover the cost of the rental car in this circumstance. However, if not, one should speak to a car accident attorney about their prospects for recovering money for the rental car and other expenses. If the at-fault driver is uninsured and has a job, they may be able to have some of their income taken. Please keep in mind that obtaining bigger sums of money from uninsured at-fault drivers is more challenging.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Rental Car?
It might be as soon as one contacts their insurance company, should they have rental car coverage. If one doesn't have that coverage, waiting for funds from an at-fault driver's insurance company can take a long time.
Furthermore, if someone is convinced that the other driver is to blame and does not have rental compensation insurance, they can assume the risk and hire the car right away, saving the receipt and giving a duplicate to the at-fault driver's insurance company. If they don't pay, they can speak to an attorney about their options for getting their money back.
Keep in mind that there's a potential that one won't get their money back if the cause of the accident isn't clear. Insurance companies don't pay right away and frequently wait a few weeks to review everything because they want their claim assessors to look through everything.
Can One Choose the Car Provided Through the Car Rental Company?
This is another subject that is entirely dependent on one's insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company. Typically, they would allow one to lease a vehicle of comparable financial value and size.
How Long Does the Car Rental Last?
Most states let people keep the rental vehicle until they receive a payout from the at-fault driver's insurance company or until their car is repaired, if it isn't totaled from a high speed accident. One should make a note of all of their communications with their insurance company and inquire about how long they can keep the rental vehicle.
Does The Insurance Company of the At-Fault Driver Pay for the Car Rental?
The expense of the rental car is factored into the accident cost. When a person is found to be at fault for an accident, their insurance company is responsible for covering the economic losses incurred as a result of the event, including the rental car. If they don't, one should consult car accident attorneys in Columbus to learn more about their options.
Contact The Keating Firm Today!
As long as one has rental coverage from their car insurance company, they should have no issue obtaining a replacement vehicle. Should one be covered for this, their insurance company should pay for all the costs without them having to spend any more time worrying after the clearly traumatic event. Contact the Keating Firm today if you've been in an accident and need legal advice, such as knowing what to do when someone gets in an accident while driving your car.