Rental Car Tips After an Accident — What You’re Entitled To

After an accident, dealing with repairs is stressful enough – but what do you do for transportation in the meantime? Rental cars often come into play when your vehicle is in the shop or totaled. It’s important to know what you’re entitled to in terms of a rental car after an accident, so you’re not left stranded or paying more than you should. Here are key tips and rights regarding rental cars in common accident scenarios, whether you were at fault or not.

If You Were NOT At Fault (The Other Driver’s Insurance)

When another driver is clearly at fault for the accident, their insurance should cover the cost of a rental car for you while your vehicle is being repaired or until it’s declared a total loss. This falls under “loss of use” damages – because you lost the use of your vehicle due to their negligence, they owe you a comparable temporary replacement.

What you’re entitled to:

• A rental vehicle comparable to your own: In theory, if you drive a minivan and need a minivan to haul your family, the at-fault insurer should provide a similar class rental. If you have a luxury car, you won’t necessarily get a Benz as a rental, but you shouldn’t be stuck with a two-door compact if that doesn’t serve your needs. Insurers often authorize a mid-size sedan as a default. You can negotiate for something closer to your vehicle type (especially if you need a truck, SUV, etc.). They may have a daily dollar limit, but within reason it should reflect your car.

• Direct billing: Typically, the other driver’s insurance will set up a direct billing with a rental company (often Enterprise or Hertz). They’ll say, “Go to X rental location, we have an account.” This way, you usually don’t have to pay up front. If they don’t set direct billing, they should reimburse you for rental expenses you incur.

• Coverage for rental duration: They are responsible to pay for a rental for a reasonable period while your car is in the shop or until a total loss settlement is offered. What’s “reasonable”? Generally, the days it takes to repair, plus maybe a couple buffer days. If repairs take 10 days, they pay 10 days. If the car is totaled, they usually cover until shortly after they make you a settlement offer. Be aware: once a total loss payout is issued, insurers often cut off rental coverage after perhaps 2-3 days, reasoning that you have funds to get a new car. We’ll talk more on totals below.

Important tips when not at fault:

• Be proactive with the adjuster: Let the at-fault insurer know you need a rental immediately. Provide details of what kind of vehicle suffices. They often will move quickly because they know you’re incurring inconvenience daily.

• Mitigate your costs: If the other insurer drags their feet (maybe they are still investigating liability), you may have to use your own insurance’s rental coverage or pay out of pocket temporarily (see below for options). But legally, if it’s clear you were not at fault, you can later claim those rental costs from them. Always keep receipts for any rental expenses.

• Know their limits: Some insurers might say “We pay up to $30 a day.” If you choose to rent something above that, you could be on the hook for the difference. Try to stay within their guidelines or explicitly get approval for a larger vehicle if needed. If they only cover an economy car but you legitimately need a truck (e.g., for work or disability reasons), make your case firmly.

• Rental Insurance from the rental company: The at-fault insurer typically will not pay for the extra insurance or damage waiver the rental company offers. They cover the car rental base rate, taxes, and fees, but not the optional collision damage waiver or supplemental insurance. If you have your own auto insurance, that likely extends to the rental, so you might decline those extras (check with your agent). If you purchase that extra coverage, it’s usually out of pocket.

If You Were At Fault (Using Your Own Insurance)

When you are at fault (or single-car accident), coverage for a rental depends on your own auto policy. Rental reimbursement coverage (also called “Transportation Expense” or “Loss of Use” coverage) is an optional add-on on most insurance policies. If you have it, you’re in luck: your insurance will pay for a rental car up to the limits you selected while your car is being fixed under a collision claim.

Typical rental coverage:

• It might be listed as something like “$30/day, up to 30 days” or tiers like $900 max (which at $30/day = 30 days). Some policies offer higher limits ($40/day, $50/day, etc.) for higher premiums.

• If you have this coverage, and you cause an accident, you can immediately get a rental through your insurance company’s approved rental vendor. They’ll cover costs up to that daily limit. If you want something above the allowance, you pay the difference.

If you don’t have rental coverage on your policy and you’re at fault, unfortunately, you’re mostly on your own. Your insurance won’t pay for a rental. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any temporary car you need. This is why rental reimbursement is a valuable add-on, typically only a few dollars a month, and worth considering.

However, there’s an exception: if you have comprehensive coverage and your car is not drivable due to a non-collision event (like theft, fire, etc.), many policies include some rental benefit. For theft, insurers often give a certain amount per day until the car is recovered or deemed gone, even without the add-on, but it varies.

Total Loss Situations

If your car is totaled (whether at fault or not):

• At-fault (your policy): Your rental coverage (if you have it) will typically cover a rental until a few days after the claim is settled or up to your policy limits. If you hit your 30-day or $ limit and you still don’t have a new car, you’re on your own after. Many people find that 30 days is usually enough to receive the settlement check and purchase another vehicle. But stay mindful of the clock; sometimes buying a new car can take time, so start shopping promptly once your car is declared total.

• Not at fault (other’s policy): The other insurance should pay for a rental until you receive the total loss payout check (or a reasonable time after). In practice, they often cut off a few days after they make an offer or once they know you’ve been paid. Legally, you’re entitled to loss of use compensation for the period you don’t have a car. Most insurers interpret that as ending when they make the settlement. If for some reason their payout is delayed, you can argue for extended rental coverage.

A warning: If your car is totaled and you don’t realize it right away, you might initially get a rental thinking it’s just repairs. Once it’s determined a total, the insurer’s obligation to provide a rental ends shortly after. Be prepared that you’ll need to turn in that rental soon and secure your next vehicle.

What If the Other Insurer Delays or Denies?

Sometimes, if you’re not at fault, the other side’s insurance might not immediately provide a rental – maybe liability is being investigated, or they’re unresponsive. In such cases:

• Use your own rental coverage if you have it. Your insurance will cover under your policy terms, then later they can seek reimbursement from the other insurer (subrogation). You won’t pay a deductible for rental coverage typically, but you are limited to your policy’s daily limits.

• Out of pocket and reimbursement: If you lack coverage, you might choose to rent a car on your own dime to keep life moving. Keep it reasonable (don’t rent a luxury SUV unnecessarily). Save all receipts. Later, you can demand reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurer. There is a risk: if liability is disputed, you might not get it back – so this is usually recommended only when it’s clear-cut the other is at fault and they’ve accepted responsibility but are slow to set up direct billing.

• Alternative transport: In some cases, you might manage with a second family car, carpooling, or rideshare services for a short while. If you spend on Uber/Lyft because you have no car, that can also be claimed as loss of use. Not all insurers readily pay Uber receipts, but technically they should up to what an equivalent rental would have cost. Some people opt for this if the downtime is just a couple days.

Additional Tips for Rentals

• Coordinate with the Body Shop: If your car is repairable, stay in touch with the shop on the timeline. If there’s a delay (waiting on parts, etc.), communicate that to the insurance or rental company to extend the rental as needed. Typically, insurance will extend if the repair legitimately takes longer.

• Don’t exceed what’s necessary: You’re usually entitled to a rental only for the time your own vehicle is out of service. Once repairs are done or a settlement offered, the clock stops. Don’t try to keep the rental longer on the insurance’s tab – you’ll end up paying it. Return it promptly to avoid extra charges.

• Rental Return Condition: Treat the rental well. You are responsible for any new damage to it while in your possession. If your personal auto policy includes collision/comprehensive, it likely covers rental car damage (check with your agent). Otherwise, you may consider the rental company’s collision damage waiver. The at-fault insurance will not pay if you wreck the rental; that’s on you/your insurance.

• Gas, Toll, and Miscellaneous: Insurance covers the rental car daily rate and taxes/fees. You still have to pay for fuel you use, tolls, parking tickets, etc., just as with your own car.

Summary of What You’re Entitled To

Not at Fault: You are entitled to a rental car comparable to your vehicle, paid for by the at-fault party’s insurance, for the reasonable period of repair or until settlement of a total loss. This includes base rental cost, taxes, and fees. It does not automatically include extra insurance or upgrades beyond a comparable vehicle.

At Fault: You are entitled to a rental only if you purchased rental coverage on your policy. Then your insurer will pay per your coverage limits (e.g. $30/day) during the repair period. If no coverage, unfortunately you have no automatic right to a rental and must pay yourself.

Total Loss: Rental coverage (either party’s) generally ends a few days after the vehicle is deemed a total loss and you’ve been informed/offered payment. Use those few days to secure new transportation.

Legal backdrop: Ohio law, like most states, says the at-fault party owes the reasonable cost of a substitute vehicle during repair time. This is typically accomplished by providing a rental car. If you ever have to claim this in court, it’s part of property damage damages. But in routine claims, just knowing you have this right helps you insist on timely rental arrangements.

Always remember, insurance companies (yours or the other driver’s) might not volunteer everything you’re entitled to. Don’t be afraid to ask: “Will you provide a rental car? How long? What type can I get?” Knowing the answers – and your rights – will ensure you’re not unnecessarily inconvenienced after an accident. Being in an accident is disruptive enough; at least you shouldn’t be stuck without wheels if the insurance is supposed to cover a rental for you.

Stay safe, and drive carefully. But if the unexpected happens, now you know how to keep moving forward – literally – with a rental car that your insurance or the other driver’s insurance should rightly provide.