Can I Get a Rental Car After a Car Accident in North Carolina?

After a car accident, your car may spend days or even weeks in the shop being repaired. This may leave you without a vehicle to get to work or school or to run errands. However, if you decide to get a rental car to have a means of transportation, can you be reimbursed for the costs of the rental?

In North Carolina, the driver responsible for causing a car accident will usually be required to cover the costs of a rental car for any driver they hit. The at-fault driver will usually cover rental costs through their insurance policy. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may also have other options for getting money to help pay for a car rental.

If you have been involved in a car accident, you could be owed compensation for a variety of losses. Unfortunately, this compensation can be difficult to secure without the help of an experienced attorney. Reach out to The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., for a free consultation.

For three generations, we have served the people of North Carolina after they have been involved in accidents through no fault of their own. If your car was damaged in an accident, we can help you through the process of getting a rental car and help you to pursue all compensation you are due after suffering injuries and losses in an accident that someone else caused. Contact us today to learn more.

Who Pays for My Rental Car After an Accident?

Your options for obtaining reimbursement or financial coverage for the cost of a rental car after your vehicle was damaged in a car accident will likely depend on who caused the crash. Here are a few of the scenarios:

• Other driver caused the accident — If you were involved in an accident that was caused by another driver, you could seek compensation for rental car fees from the at-fault driver. Typically, you would go through the driver’s auto insurance policy. After the accident, you can contact the at-fault driver’s insurer and seek coverage or reimbursement for the costs of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired.
• If you caused the accident — On the other hand, if you caused the accident, you may have the option of turning to your insurance policy for coverage for the costs of a rental car. If you have purchased collision coverage in your auto insurance policy, that coverage may provide reimbursement for rental car fees, depending on the terms of your insurance policy. Alternatively, if you purchased optional rental reimbursement coverage, this should help cover the costs of a rental car.

How Long Does Insurance Pay for a Rental Car After a Car Accident?

Many insurers will cover only the cost of a rental car for up to 30 days following a car accident, even if your car requires a longer repair time. Some policies also place a daily or total cap on the reimbursement they provide for a rental car. For example, an insurer may provide only up to $30 per day for reimbursement of rental car fees and/or up to $900 in total reimbursement, even though rental cars can cost much more than that.

What Is the Cost of Rental Reimbursement Coverage for Most Insurance Policies?

Rental reimbursement coverage premiums typically range from a few dollars to $15 or $20 per month. The cost of this coverage will depend on the amount of reimbursement it provides. A more expensive coverage will typically provide reimbursement for a longer period and/or have a higher dollar limit on reimbursement.

Can I Still Be Compensated If I Do Not Get a Rental?

If you do not get a rental car while your car is being repaired after an accident, you may have the option of filing a claim with the insurance company to get compensation for the time that you have not been able to use your car. You might file a claim for compensation for the fees that you would have paid had you gotten a car rental, or you might file a claim for reimbursement for the cost of alternative transportation, such as taking public transit or using services such as Uber or Lyft. However, the insurance company may refuse to pay you compensation under rental reimbursement coverage if you did not get a rental car, or if you received a free courtesy loaner car from a dealer service center or an auto/body shop.

What Steps Should I Take to Get a Rental After an Accident?

To receive reimbursement for the costs of a rental car while your car is repaired following an accident, you should:

• Get the insurance information from every driver that was involved in the accident.
• Take photos to document the accident scene, which can serve as evidence to help you establish the other driver’s fault for the crash.
• Get an estimate from the mechanic or body shop to determine how long you may need to rent a car while your vehicle is being repaired.
• Shop around for rental car rates to try to find a rental that will fully be paid for by rental reimbursement coverage.
• Take advantage of discounts if your car is in the repair shop for more than a week, including any weekly or monthly discounts on rental rates.
• Contact the insurance companies, including both your insurer and the at-fault driver’s insurer, to request reimbursement coverage for your rental vehicle.

If you don’t get a rental car, but you still pay for other alternative transportation like rideshares or public transportation, make sure to keep records of your expenses so that you can request reimbursement from the insurance company.

Contact Our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been involved in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, do not wait to talk to an attorney about pursuing the financial compensation and justice you deserve. Contact The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., today for a free consultation with our North Carolina car accident lawyers. We will explain your legal options for seeking reimbursement for your rental car costs and pursuing any other compensation you could be owed.

Visit Our Car Accident Law Offices