Who Pays for a Rental Car After a Car Accident?

Getting into a car accident typically leads to plenty of property damage. Whether your car suffered serious structural damage or you were lucky enough to walk away with just a dented fender, your vehicle is probably going to be in the shop for weeks, if not months.

During this downtime, you are going to need to borrow a vehicle so you are able to continue commuting to work, school, and the grocery store. But who is actually responsible for paying for a rental car after a car accident? Stick with us to uncover the facts in this common scenario.

The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Typically Pays for a Rental Car

After a car accident in Florida, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy generally pays for the cost of your rental car under the property damage liability portion of their policy. This coverage typically lasts just a few weeks until your vehicle is repaired or you receive a settlement for a total loss. However, the insurer is likely to limit how much they are willing to pay, often capping the per diem rate between $30 to $50. You must pay any costs that exceed this amount out of pocket, regardless of fault, and getting approval to pick up the rental car may take days.

Your Own Insurance May Also Pay for a Rental Car

If you added rental reimbursement coverage to your Florida auto insurance policy, then this optional protection would pay for your rental car after an accident, regardless of fault or the other party’s policy limits. It is important to contact your insurance company immediately after the collision to verify your coverage. Ask your agent if they have preferred providers, such as Enterprise, that they would pay directly, instead of simply reimbursing you after the fact.

What Happens If You Are Responsible for the Accident?

If you are the driver who caused the car accident, and you do not have rental reimbursement coverage, you would be responsible for paying the cost of your rental car out of pocket. This fact stands even if you have collision coverage to pay for the repairs. However, you are not required to rent a vehicle and could use public transportation or ride share options until your car is repaired.

Talk to Our Law Office About Your Car Accident-Related Losses

While the at-fault party’s insurance company is typically responsible for paying for a rental car after a car accident, every crash in Florida is different. This is why it is vital to have a skilled legal team on your side. So, do not wait to set up your free consultation.

Colling Gilbert Wright is a trusted law firm in the community, as many of our cases come from referrals from other attorneys, healthcare providers, CPAs, and even judges. We are experienced in varied and complex lawsuits and pride ourselves in delivering the level of professionalism our clients deserve.