My wife’s car was totaled after being rear-ended, but insurance only covers rental for 5 days

Insurance Forum Auto Insurance
1

My wife was rear-ended while completely stopped, and her car ended up totaled. We still owe more on the loan than it’s worth, but luckily she has gap coverage. We went through her insurance for a rental car, but they said they’ll only cover it for five days once the car is officially deemed a total loss.

Are there any options for extending the rental coverage beyond those five days? Shouldn’t the other driver’s insurance be responsible for rental costs until we’re able to find a new vehicle? That’s how I’d think it should work, but I know insurance doesn’t always make sense.

For context, we’re in Massachusetts.

2

In theory, 5 days is considered reasonable time to find a new car. I know it can be tough with credit and finances, but dealerships are often set up for same-day purchases.

3

I had a similar situation this year. They required me to return the rental the same day I got the payout check, so honestly, getting an extra five days is more than some people get.

4

That’s how the system works. If there wasn’t a limit, people could take weeks or months to get a new car while keeping a free rental. Five days after it’s declared a total loss is pretty standard these days with online car listings, preapprovals, etc. Sometimes you can get an extra day or two if you ask politely.

5

Five days is actually on the generous side. The other party doesn’t owe rental costs until you find a new car, just for a few days.

6

Check your policy details; it may specify how many days rental coverage is provided in a total loss. In my case, it was 3 days. Sometimes the insurance rate can be extended if you continue the rental as a customer.

7

I recently bought a car—checked out a few on the lot, wrote a check, and drove home. Dealers have plenty of stock now.

8

Options are to buy a replacement or cover the rental yourself. If the other party’s insurance totals the car, they usually offer a few days of rental too.

9

It makes me wonder if people even read their insurance policies or just look at the price. Rhetorical question, but still.

10

After those five days, either pay for the rental yourself or use public transportation. The other driver’s insurance isn’t required to cover unlimited rental time.

11

Five days should be plenty of time to find a replacement vehicle.

12

Five days is standard after a total loss. Make sure the GAP claim is filed and they have what they need to cover it. This way, you’ll know if anything will be left on the loan after GAP pays out, which will help with setting a budget for the new car.

13

When I got rear-ended, the insurance kept me in a rental until I received my payout check. I had paid off my car, though, so that might have made a difference.

14

Most insurers allow 3-7 days for situations like this; otherwise, people could keep driving rentals indefinitely.

15

Insurance companies usually say that 5 days is enough to get a new car.

16

Paxton said:
Insurance companies usually say that 5 days is enough to get a new car.

Five days is definitely enough time.