How long will insurance pay for a rental car after an accident? The answer depends on how long it will take to repair your vehicle, and the terms of your insurance policy. Most of the time, insurance covers a rental car for at least a couple of months, if needed.
A Charlottesville car accident lawyer can review the relevant policies and fight to make sure you get the rental-fee coverage you deserve.
Can You Get Rental Car Coverage After a Car Accident?
You may be entitled to a rental car, covered by insurance, while you wait for your vehicle to undergo repair or replacement after an accident. There are two ways to get this insurance. One is through the at-fault driver’s coverage, and the other is through your own insurance.
All Virginia drivers are required to carry liability insurance to cover the costs of damage they may cause to others in the event of a crash. If an insured driver is the negligent party in your accident, their liability insurance policy is the most likely source of your rental car coverage.
You can also add rental-car reimbursement coverage to your own auto insurance policy. Though this coverage is not mandated by Virginia law, insurance companies must offer the option when selling you your policy. In some cases, it may be more convenient to use your own insurance for rental car coverage.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
What Virginia Law Says About How Long Insurance Will Pay for a Rental Car
Under Virginia Code 8.01-66, a person eligible for compensation for “damage or destruction of a motor vehicle” is also “entitled to recover the reasonable cost” for hiring a “comparable substitute vehicle” while their vehicle is out of service.
The law states that the rental period cannot exceed a reasonable amount of time for fixing the vehicle or buying a new one, if the original vehicle is totaled in the crash. There is no specifically stated time limit, so there is no definitive answer to how long insurance will pay for a rental.
You can expect insurance companies to aim for efficiency. They will look to limit their payout by keeping the rental-car coverage period as short as possible. An attorney can help you understand policy language so you get the coverage you deserve within those “reasonable” expectations.
How Long Insurance Will Pay for Rental Coverage Depends on the Damage
The extent of the damage to your car is a key factor in how long insurance will pay for a rental car after an accident. The greater the damage, the more repair work is required. Of course, more work takes more time. Your mechanic may also need to order and wait for replacement parts, which can add to the timeline.
Keep records of your conversations with your mechanic and keep the insurance company informed of developments and delays. Being transparent and communicative can help assure the insurance company that things are moving along as swiftly and as reasonably as possible. If you get pushback, do not hesitate to schedule a meeting with a car accident lawyer in Charlottesville.
If you need a new car, consider discussing with the insurance company what they consider a reasonable amount of time to find one. You may need more time if accident-related injuries lay you up. While you should not expect to get rental coverage for six months, insurance may allow for one or two months. If the company is uncooperative or unfair, consult with your attorney to discuss the situation.
Specific Policy Language Can Affect the Length of Rental Car Coverage
In Virginia, victims can seek damages only if they can prove they bear no fault or blame for the accident. These strict contributory negligence laws are not particularly victim-friendly. In fact, they can be harsh. However, if the other driver is quickly and clearly determined as fully negligent and is insured, you are entitled to coverage for a reasonable amount of time. Coverage may last:
- For the time needed to complete repairs
- Until you buy a new vehicle, or
- Until you receive a settlement or trial award and are able to buy a new vehicle
The value of your damaged property is factored into the settlement demand. If you purchase a new vehicle before compensation is delivered, the amount you receive can still compensate you for your destroyed car. Our team is experienced in dealing with contributory negligence and will work to develop an effective strategy to get you financial justice.
Your Own Policy
You may decide to use your own insurance to pay for a rental car if you have that coverage and if there is a debate regarding fault. This way, you can move on with repairs or replacement while your car accident attorney in Charlottesville, who has a full understanding of the elements of negligence, fights to settle that debate in your favor.
Your insurance company may recoup what it paid out if you ultimately secure compensation through a settlement or trial award. Your policy may include language detailing coverage limits. For example, it might pay for rental car costs for a determined number of days, based on the time needed for repairs, until you receive a settlement, or according to other parameters.
What to Do if the Insurance Company Denies a Rental Car Claim
Insurance companies are businesses, and their priority is preserving their bottom line. When they prioritize their assets unjustly and at your expense, get in touch with a Charlottesville car accident lawyer from our team right away.
Our team includes effective negotiators who are well-versed in parsing insurance policies and managing claims. If they do not have grounds to deny your claim or put unreasonable limits on how long they will pay for a rental after an accident, we will hold them accountable for honoring your policy’s terms.
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MartinWren, P.C. Will Fight for Your Rights
MartinWren, P.C., is here to get you the coverage you deserve after a car accident. Per Virginia law, you have the right to recover the costs of a substitute or replacement vehicle needed for a reasonable amount.
Our team can help determine how long insurance will pay for a rental car by reviewing the relevant policies and holding companies accountable to the terms of those policies and Virginia law.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
