Let’s say you've just been in an accident and are waiting on repairs. In the meantime, you still have to get to your job. Borrowing a friend's car isn't going to work. And rideshares can get expensive.
Will your car insurance pay for you to rent a car while your wheels are in the shop? Here's what you need to know:
You Need Rental Reimbursement
In order to have your car rental paid for by your auto insurance, you will need a policy that includes rental reimbursement. This is a simple provision that will pay for the costs involved in renting a car while your car is out for repair.
Many drivers skip this coverage because they're looking for the lowest premiums — or simply because they don't know it's an option. But most auto insurance providers do offer this provision. The minimum required insurance is focused on liability. That is, if you are found to be at fault, your insurer will be able to pay for the damages.
Why Rental Reimbursement Is Important
We all want our insurance claim to be simple and easy and repairs to be fast, but it doesn't always work out that way. "Doesn't always work out that way" is why we have insurance. Here are some points to consider:
- The average repair time for a car in the shop tends to be around two weeks. But repairs can take much longer than that.
- Insurance claims can take time to sort out. This means that you might not even be able to begin the repairs until several days have passed.
- Without rental reimbursement, your car insurance provider will not pay for your rental car.
Insurance is all about "just in case." It's not just covering your personal property. It’s also giving you a backup plan should something happen. It may seem like skipping such additional protection options as rental reimbursement is a great way to save money in the short term. But should you ever have to file a claim, it's good to know that you are covered beyond the legally-mandated minimum.