Rental Options After an Accident

Need a Rental Car After an Accident? Here’s What to Do

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but dealing with transportation issues afterward can add another layer of frustration. If your vehicle is undrivable, you’ll likely need a rental car while it’s being repaired or replaced. The good news is that you have several options to secure a rental car, whether through your insurance, the at-fault driver’s insurance, or out-of-pocket reimbursement.

This guide will walk you through your best options for getting a rental vehicle quickly, understanding your insurance coverage, and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

Why You Should Let a Lawyer Handle Getting a Rental Car

A rental car is just one part of your claim, but what many accident victims don’t realize is that they may be entitled to much more. Even if you weren’t injured, you still have financial losses to consider—most importantly, a diminished value claim.

What Is a Diminished Value Claim?

Once a vehicle has been in an accident, it loses resale value—even if it’s fully repaired. This means that when you go to sell or trade in your car, it will be worth significantly less than a similar vehicle with no accident history. The at-fault driver’s insurance should compensate you for this loss, but many people don’t even realize they can file a claim for it.

And that’s just the beginning. If you were injured, you may also have claims related to:

• Medical Expenses – Even minor injuries can lead to expensive treatments, therapy, or follow-up visits.
• Lost Wages & Missed Work – If the accident caused you to miss time at work, you deserve to be compensated for that lost income.
• Pain and Suffering – Accidents can cause lasting physical discomfort and emotional distress that you shouldn’t have to endure without proper compensation.

Why Let Retamar & Millian Handle Managing Your Car Rental After an Accident?

Trying to manage all of these claims alone while also dealing with rental car logistics and insurance companies that are looking to minimize their payouts can be frustrating and overwhelming. That’s where Retamar & Millian Personal Injury Attorneys come in.

We don’t just focus on litigation—we take care of our clients throughout the entire process. That means:

✔️ Securing your rental car quickly so you’re not stuck without transportation.
✔️ Handling insurance negotiations so you don’t have to worry about delays or denials.
✔️ Ensuring you receive full compensation for diminished value, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

When you work with us, you don’t have to stress about rental car delays, out-of-pocket costs, or missing out on claims you didn’t even know you had. We handle everything for you—so you can focus on moving forward.

Going Through Your Own Insurance for a Rental Car

If you have rental reimbursement coverage under your auto insurance policy, this is often the fastest and most straightforward way to get a rental vehicle. Rental reimbursement coverage is an optional add-on to most policies and typically provides a daily allowance to cover rental costs while your car is being repaired.

Steps to Take:

1. Contact your insurance provider immediately after the accident and file your claim.
2. Confirm your rental coverage details, including:

• Daily dollar limit (e.g., $30, $40, or $50 per day).
• Maximum number of days covered.
• Any restrictions on rental car types (some policies limit you to economy vehicles).

1. Ask your insurer for a list of approved rental car companies. Many insurance providers have partnerships with major rental agencies, allowing for direct billing instead of requiring you to pay upfront.
2. Reserve your rental vehicle with an approved provider as soon as possible. High-demand periods may result in limited availability.
3. Understand the fine print. Some insurance policies require you to rent a car similar in value to your own. If you opt for an upgraded vehicle, you may have to cover the difference.

Key Considerations:

If your policy covers rental reimbursement, your insurance company will pay directly, minimizing hassle.

If another driver was at fault, your insurer might pay upfront and later seek reimbursement from their provider.

If your coverage is limited, you may need to cover some rental costs if your repair time exceeds your policy limits.

Going Through the Other Driver’s Insurance for a Rental Car

If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should cover your rental costs. However, this process can take longer since the insurance company must first determine liability before approving your claim.

Steps to Take:

1. Obtain a claim number from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. You’ll need this for any communication regarding reimbursement.
2. Ask the insurer if they provide direct rental car arrangements or if you must rent the vehicle and seek reimbursement later.
3. Confirm rental car coverage limitations, including:
4. The daily rental rate they cover (e.g., $35 per day may not fully cover an SUV).
5. The maximum rental period (e.g., 7, 14, or 30 days).
6. Whether they cover rental upgrades or limit you to a standard vehicle.
7. Be prepared for delays. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may take days or weeks to investigate the accident. If you need a rental immediately, you may have to:
8. Pay for the rental yourself and request reimbursement later.
9. Use your own rental coverage and let your insurer seek repayment.

Key Considerations:

You may have to wait if the insurance company disputes liability or requires additional documentation.

If fault is unclear, you might need to rent a car on your own and seek reimbursement later.

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to rely on your own insurance for rental costs.

The Fastest Way to Get a Rental Car After an Accident

If you need a vehicle immediately, the quickest option is to go through your own insurance—provided you have rental reimbursement coverage.

How to Speed Up the Process:

• Call your insurance company right away and request a rental car referral.
• Use a rental company that partners with your insurer to avoid out-of-pocket costs.
• Pay with a credit card to secure the vehicle quickly and streamline the process.
• Keep all receipts if you’re paying upfront and seeking reimbursement.

If you're waiting on the other driver’s insurance, you may still need to rent a vehicle on your own. Some key strategies include:

• Ask the at-fault insurer if they can pre-approve your rental. Some companies will authorize the expense immediately, especially if liability is clear.
• Choose a rental car within the approved price range. If the insurer only covers $40 per day and you rent a $70-per-day SUV, you’ll pay the difference.
• Be prepared for reimbursement delays. Even if the at-fault insurer agrees to pay, it could take weeks to process.

Towing and Storage Considerations

In addition to securing a rental car, you’ll also need to address towing and storage fees if your vehicle is undrivable.

• Insurance companies typically cover towing costs if your policy includes roadside assistance.
• If the at-fault driver’s insurer is paying, request approval for towing and storage expenses before moving your vehicle.
• Be aware of storage fees at tow yards. If your car is held too long, daily fees can add up quickly.
• Ask your insurance company or attorney about getting storage fees reimbursed if you're not at fault.

Call Us for Help with Rental, Towing, and Storage Issues

Navigating rental and towing options after an accident can be confusing, especially when dealing with insurance companies and reimbursement claims. At Retamar & Millian Personal Injury Attorneys, we help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve, including coverage for rental cars, towing, and storage fees.

Call us today for a free consultation, and let us handle the details while you focus on recovery.

West Florida: (813) 200-5894
East Florida: (954) 834-0404
Email: contact@retamarmillian.com