Generally, the rental vehicle provided to you should be comparable to the vehicle that was damaged, but the rental company’s inventory at the time is usually taken into account. Before obtaining the rental car, it is wise to first contact the insurance company to ensure that they will pay for the cost of the rental car. Usually, insurance companies can quickly make a rental car reservation for you.
Rental Cars for a Total Loss Claim
If your vehicle is totaled, the insurance company is required to pay for your rental vehicle from the time of the collision until you receive an offer for the totaled vehicle. Assuming that a reasonable offer is made, the insurance company is not required to pay for a rental car after making their offer to you. Sometimes, the insurance company will authorize you to keep the rental car for a few days after the offer is made. This can be accomplished by asking the property damage adjuster to extend the return date on your rental car. If the adjuster refuses to grant you an extension on the rental car, you may ask to speak to their supervisor. The adjuster’s supervisor may have the authority to grant an extension for the return date of the rental car.
Rental Cars for Vehicles Being Repaired
Generally, if your vehicle cannot be driven, you are entitled to a rental vehicle from the time of the collision until the repairs are finished. If, however, the repairs take an unusually long time to complete, the insurance company may argue that they are only obligated to pay for “reasonable rental expenses” and thus, they may give you a return date for your rental car before your repairs are completed. If your vehicle can be driven, you are entitled to a rental vehicle from the time your vehicle goes into the repair shop until the time it is repaired. Again, if the repairs take an unusually long time to complete, the insurance company may argue that they are only obligated to pay for “reasonable rental expenses” and thus, they may give you a return date for your rental car before your repairs are completed.