You can get a rental car through your insurance if your car is in the shop and you carry a rental reimbursement policy. However, your insurer will only pay for a rental if your vehicle is undergoing repairs from a covered car accident. Rental reimbursement insurance does not apply if your car is in the shop for routine maintenance or because of a breakdown.
An Atlanta car accident lawyer can help with your case.
How to Seek Reimbursement for a Rental Car If Your Car Is in the Shop
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), on average, vehicles are in the repair shop for two weeks following a collision. If you need a rental car during that time, the fees can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars or more.
If you have rental car reimbursement coverage (which may be part of your comprehensive or collision insurance policies), you can get a rental car through your insurer, but your damages must be from a covered accident.
If your crash was not your fault, you can seek rental car fees from an at-fault driver. The liable party’s auto insurance provider may end up reimbursing your insurance company for rental costs or compensating you if you pay for your rental out of pocket.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
How Long Will Insurance Pay for a Rental Vehicle?
Most insurance policies will set a daily limit and an overall rental car coverage limit. Your policy may also limit the number of consecutive days it will pay for a rental. Usually, there is no deductible for rental car costs.
Some insurers will arrange a rental for you through their preferred rental company. Other insurers require you to pay for the rental upfront and submit a claim for compensation. You will need to review your policy to understand its terms, limits, and conditions.
If you seek compensation for rental fees through an at-fault party, their policy will determine how much you can recover and for how long.
Will a Rental Car Claim With My Insurer Increase My Premiums?
When you file a claim with your auto insurance company, there is always the risk it will make your premiums go up. If you can afford to pay rental car fees upfront without help from your insurer, you may be able to seek the costs from an at-fault driver at a later date and avoid a rate increase.
You can also seek rental car fees from a liable party if you do not have rental reimbursement insurance. However, it will likely take longer to get compensated because your rental costs may be part of a larger car accident settlement.
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Can You Pursue Additional Auto Accident Damages?
If your collision was severe enough to put your car in the shop, you may have other expenses arising from the collision, including the cost of treatment for personal injuries. In general, compensation for auto accident damages may include the following:
- Medical costs, including ambulance transportation, emergency treatment, medical procedures, hospitalizations, doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, mobility aids, and physical therapy
- Lost wages, earnings, and employment benefits, including lost future earnings and lost earning potential if your injuries keep you out of work long-term
- Vehicle repair costs or your car’s fair market value if the damages turn out to be a total loss
- Miscellaneous expenses, including rental car fees, household service, and medical travel costs
- Pain and suffering, including monetary awards for severe and chronic pain, scarring, disfigurement, stress, anxiety, inconvenience, emotional anguish, and reduced quality of life
How to Prove You Qualify for Compensation
To win compensation from an at-fault driver, you must show that their negligent or wrongful actions caused your crash and led to financial losses. Examples of driver negligence include speeding, drinking and driving, driving distracted, or any violation of Georgia’s traffic laws.
A solid car accident case is built on evidence, which may include the following:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Physical evidence and photographs from the accident scene
- Pictures of your injuries or vehicle damages
- Cell phone, surveillance, or dashcam video
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimony
- Receipts, invoices, bills, estimates, pay stubs, and additional proof of your economic and non-economic damages
Time Limits for Filing a Lawsuit
You should file a claim with your insurer and claims against at-fault parties as soon as you can. If you must take legal action against a liable driver to recover compensation, you have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in civil court, according to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
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Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Car accident cases, even those that may seem straightforward, can become complex. A lawyer with our firm can help you navigate the claims process so that you can focus on healing and getting back to normal.
Our team can get to work immediately investigating your car accident and establishing your right to compensation, including reimbursement for rental car fees. Allowing us to represent you from the outset can help you avoid common personal injury case pitfalls and make seeking compensation as easy and stress-free as possible for you and your family. We can:
- Collect evidence proving negligence
- Identify and calculate your damages
- Draft and file your insurance claims and case paperwork
- Handle phone calls, texts, emails, and meetings
- Manage and adhere to deadlines, including taking legal action before the statute of limitations expires
- Negotiate for the maximum compensation available
- Prepare and pursue a lawsuit if necessary
Contact Kaine Law for Help Recovering Rental Car Fees and Other Damages
The attorneys and staff at Kaine Law have more than 20 years of combined legal experience that we can put behind getting full and fair compensation for your auto accident damages. The car accident lawyers with our firm are here to listen to you and provide you with the personalized attention your case deserves.
To learn more about how we can fight for you, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. A team member is available 24/7 to answer your questions and offer legal support. In addition, when you work with us, it costs you nothing upfront or out of pocket. With our no-fee guarantee, you only pay if and when we obtain compensation for you. We serve clients in Atlanta and across Georgia.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
