After a car accident, you need a mode of transportation while your car is being repaired in the shop. California insurance companies cover rental car costs, but it can be a complicated situation.
Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Simmrin Law Group can help you handle getting a rental car. Read on to get answers to the most common questions you may have about getting a rental car after an accident.
Who Covers the Cost of a Rental Car After a Car Accident in California?
The coverage of the rental car depends on who was at fault in the accident. If the other driver was at fault, their auto insurance is responsible for rental car costs. As the not-at-fault driver, you need to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance. Their policy would cover reasonable rental fees until your vehicle is repaired under the mini-tort laws.
However, if you were deemed the at-fault driver, then your insurance policy will need to cover rental costs. If you have a loss of use coverage, the cost for you to rent a car will likely be covered. Coverage limits and timeframes can vary by policy, but most provide up to 30 days of rental reimbursement.
What to Avoid When Temporarily Renting a Car While Yours Is Being Repaired
After you’ve received a rental car while your car is being repaired, you should take precautions with your temporary transportation. Here are a few things our car accident attorneys in Los Angeles suggest you avoid after receiving your rental car:
Avoid Driving Negligently
It’s understandable to want to stay mobile while your vehicle is in the shop, but it’s important to drive carefully if using a rental car. If you don’t, you could find yourself at fault in a rental car accident, which can add even more stress. Any additional accidents, tickets, or violations could be used against you by the insurer you’re pursuing a claim from.
Insurance adjusters may try to argue the initial crash was partly your fault or that you have a history of reckless behavior. Avoid giving them ammunition by obeying all traffic laws and practicing defensive driving.
Avoid Discussing Faults on Social Media
Social media posts can come back to haunt you if the other party is searching for ways to deny your claim. Even casually admitting some blame for the first wreck in a status update or reply could undermine your case for compensation. It’s best to avoid any public commentary about the accident circumstances while the legal issues remain unsettled.
Avoid Overcharging on Rentals Without Approval
Most insurance policies and temporary coverage plans have daily limits for rental reimbursement. Going over those amounts without getting the additional costs pre-approved runs the risk that you’ll be held liable for excess charges.
Carefully track your rental receipts and check in with your provider if longer-term needs arise. Following guidelines protects you from unexpected billing responsibility down the road.
Avoid Talking to the At-Fault Party’s Insurance
Once you’ve retained a car accident lawyer in Los Angeles, let them be your sole point of contact with the other driver’s insurer. Whether your accident was due to reckless driving or another cause, you want to avoid saying something in a conversation or exchange that allows them to deny your claim. Let our team at Simmrin Law Group handle negotiations since insurance companies may try getting you to make contradictory statements or admissions during discussions.
Avoid Changing Your Story
Stick firmly to the truthful version of events that you’ve documented from the very beginning. Any inconsistencies in your account of what led to the accident, no matter how minor or unintentional, can seriously damage your credibility and case. Review police and medical records as needed to keep all details straight rather than risk contradicting your original recollections.
How Can a Lawyer Help You When Covering Costs for a Rental Car Post-Accident?
Even when insurance should be covering rental car costs after an accident, issues can sometimes arise that a lawyer can help resolve. Some ways a car accident attorney in Los Angeles can assist include:
- Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance if they are denying or underpaying rental reimbursement claims. Lawyers know how to apply pressure to get insurers to comply with coverage responsibilities.
- Dealing with your insurance if your collision coverage is disputed or limits are inadequate. We can review your policy and pursue additional compensation if warranted.
- Arranging short-term loans if insurance payments are delayed due to processing times. This ensures continuous rental coverage during repairs.
- Overseeing prolonged rental needs for total losses or complex repairs. Lawyers ensure you are not getting charged in excess or cut off too early.
- Suing negligent parties to recover uncompensated rental costs and losses if liability is contested. Legal action may be necessary to achieve full compensation.
- Advising on other transportation solutions if issues persist, such as reimbursing rideshares, taxis, or long-term vehicle leases.
What Type of Rental Car Will You Receive?
The type of rental car covered by your insurance after an accident can depend on several factors. Your auto insurance policy will primarily dictate the class of rental vehicle provided. Most standard policies in California will cover an economy or compact-class car as a temporary replacement.
You can also check with your provider about potentially upgrading to an intermediate or full-size class for an additional fee if your needs require it. Considering any specific needs like child seats when filing your claim can help facilitate obtaining a suitable temporary replacement vehicle.
Learn More About Getting a Rental Car After an Accident
Determining how to get a rental car while yours is being repaired is a stressful situation, plus the added stress of a car accident case. But at Simmrin Law Group, our Los Angeles car accident lawyer can help you.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help you.