When does insurance cover rental car costs?
Yes, your insurance will pay for a rental car during repairs after a covered accident as long as your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage which is an optional type of car insurance that pays for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop for a covered claim. It helps you get around after an accident by providing a temporary replacement vehicle.
Accidents: If you’re in an accident and your car needs repairs, your auto insurance might cover a rental car. This is usually under the “rental reimbursement” coverage, but you need to have this as part of your policy.
Theft: If your car is stolen, your insurance might pay for a rental car while you wait for your vehicle to be recovered or replaced.
Comprehensive Claims: If your car is damaged by something other than a collision (like a tree falling on it or a natural disaster), your comprehensive coverage might include rental car costs.
In my experience, car insurance can cover a rental car while your main ride is getting fixed, but only if you have “rental reimbursement” added to your policy. It’s like an extra perk that pays for the rental car’s cost. This usually applies whether you caused the accident or not, as long as the damage is covered by your insurance in the first place. So, it’s a good idea to check your policy details or call your insurance company to see if you have rental reimbursement coverage before you get stuck without a car.