{"id":353146,"date":"2016-11-03T13:59:10","date_gmt":"2016-11-03T18:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/who-pays-for-a-rental-car-after-an-accident.html"},"modified":"2025-10-16T15:39:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T20:39:12","slug":"who-pays-for-a-rental-car-after-an-accident","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/who-pays-for-a-rental-car-after-an-accident.html","title":{"rendered":"Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Who pays for a rental card after an accident depends on your insurance coverage<\/span> and who caused the crash, with the at-fault driver’s insurance<\/span> responsible in fault-based states. If you have rental <\/span>reimbursement<\/span> coverage<\/span> as an optional add-on to your policy, your insurer may pay upfront<\/span> and seek reimbursement<\/span> from the other driver’s <\/span>insurance company<\/span> through subrogation. Coverage often has daily dollar limits and time restrictions, and you may need to pay out-of-pocket<\/span> while fault is being determined.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

One minor difficulty after a car accident can be finding another mode of transportation. If the accident left you uninjured but with a seriously damaged vehicle, you could be without a car until the\u00a0repair shop<\/span>\u00a0finishes its\u00a0work.<\/p>\n

Some insurance companies<\/span> include rental car coverage<\/span> with your policy. In that case, they pay for a rental vehicle<\/span> during repairs. If you were not responsible for the accident, who should pay for the cost of a replacement vehicle<\/span>? What should you do while your case is under investigation?<\/p>\n

Rental Car Coverage<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many insurers offer rental <\/span>reimbursement<\/span> coverage<\/span> as an optional add-on to your auto <\/span>insurance<\/span> policy<\/span>. If you have it, your insurance provider<\/span> pays for a rental car until you get yours back. Your insurer will demand reimbursement<\/span> from the other driver\u2019s <\/span>insurance company<\/span> through a process called subrogation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rental coverage often has both daily dollar limits (e.g., $30-50\/day) and time limits (e.g., 30 days maximum).<\/p>\n

In general, the question of who pays for rental car coverage<\/span> depends on the insurance rules in your state. In an \u201cat-fault\u201d state, the at-fault driver\u2019s <\/span>insurance<\/span> company<\/span> pays for all damages, including the use of a rental car. In a \u201cno-fault\u201d state, your insurance company<\/span> pays for damages up to your coverage limits<\/span>.<\/p>\n

No-fault rules primarily apply to medical\/personal injury<\/span> coverage, not property damage<\/span>. Property damage<\/span> claims (including rental cars) often still follow fault-based principles even in no-fault states.<\/p>\n

During the Investigation<\/h2>\n

In an at-fault state, the at-fault driver\u2019s <\/span>insurance<\/span> pays<\/span> for the rental car. If the insurance adjuster<\/span> determines you are not at fault, they may provide a rental car immediately. It\u2019s more common that you\u2019ll need to pay out-of-pocket<\/span> or request a car from your own insurer<\/span> and ask for reimbursement<\/span> later.<\/p>\n

In a no-fault state, you may need to pay your rental costs upfront<\/span> and be reimbursed after the insurer completes processing your claim.<\/p>\n

Rental car expenses<\/span> may be part of the property damage<\/span> claim<\/a> rather than the personal injury<\/span> claim. It\u2019s a good idea to have an attorney check your claim form before you submit it. In some states, you cannot request a property damage<\/span> award in a personal injury<\/span> claim, and vice versa.<\/p>\n

If you must pay for your own rental car, keep all documentation related to the rental. Whether your own auto <\/span>insurance<\/span> policy<\/span> or the other driver\u2019s policy<\/span> covers the cost, you must have proof of the expenses. Confirmation numbers, mileage, and even gas receipts are all needed for rental car <\/span>reimbursement<\/span> purposes.<\/p>\n

Other Considerations for Rental Cars After an Accident<\/h2>\n

Depending on the type of coverage<\/span> you or the at-fault party\u2019s insurer<\/span> has, rental coverage may be limited to a certain number of days<\/span> or type of vehicle. For instance, an insurance company<\/span> might cover a basic sedan, but if you want an SUV, the additional cost comes out of your pocket.<\/p>\n

Use of a rental car may be part of your total policy limit<\/span>. Some insurers may cover the entire cost of a rental car<\/span> while your own vehicle is in the repair shop<\/span>, but others may not. Be sure what your insurance covers<\/span> before filing any claim.<\/p>\n

Rental Car Insurance<\/span> When You\u2019re Already Renting a Car<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re involved in an accident with a rental car, such as during a vacation, you may wonder who pays for the use of a new rental car after you\u2019ve lost the original one. It\u2019s for these situations that rental car companies<\/span> offer additional rental car insurance<\/span> while you\u2019re driving the vehicle. Rental car insurance<\/span> may add some costs to your rental fee, but the expense can be worth it.<\/p>\n

Rental car insurance<\/span> may include:<\/p>\n