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If you only own one car and it needs repairs following an accident, you probably need a rental car while it’s out of commission. In certain situations, your insurance may cover this cost. Many insurers offer rental car coverage, but generally it is an endorsement, or optional add-on, and not part of a basic policy. Even if you have rental car coverage, it may not apply in every circumstance. For example, if your car breaks down because of a mechanical defect, your rental reimbursement will not apply.
How does rental reimbursement work?
Rental reimbursement works like other claims filed with your insurance company. When you file a claim for rental reimbursement, your insurer will extend coverage up to your coverage limits. The limit could be a total amount, like $900, or a set amount of $30 a day up to $900 total. There are different coverage limits for rental reimbursement, so experts recommend reviewing your coverage options with an insurance agent.
Here’s how rental reimbursement works:
- Purchase an endorsement for rental reimbursement. In most cases, an endorsement must be added to have rental reimbursement coverage, and it has to be added to each vehicle on your policy. Rental reimbursement provides coverage for claims filed under your comprehensive or collision insurance. Because of this, some insurers require both comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy; others only require comprehensive. If you only have comprehensive and not collision, you would not have rental reimbursement for accidents that fall under the collision category.
- File a claim. Depending on the insurance company, you can typically file a claim online, in person, over the phone or on the insurer’s mobile app.
- Check your coverage amount. Your rental reimbursement coverage will either cover you up to a specific dollar amount per day or a total amount. Find out your allotted amount before you rent a car so you know whether you’ll need to pay for anything on your own.
- Choose a rental car. Most insurance companies have partnerships with rental car agencies. If you go with one of the partnered companies, the insurer will pay the agency directly for your rental car. If not, you may have to pay for the cost up front and then get reimbursed by the insurance company.
- Confirm the details with the rental car agency. Before leaving with your rental car, go over what the costs will be, who pays and when you have to return the car. You will usually only have approval from the insurance company for the time it will take the shop to repair your car.
When does car insurance cover rental costs?
Car insurance will cover rental costs after a qualifying claim is filed and approved. However, you must already have rental reimbursement on your policy prior to the accident for there to be coverage. If you are not at fault, the other driver’s property damage liability insurance will likely pay for your rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.
When does car insurance not cover rental costs?
There are some instances when you may not be able to lean on your rental reimbursement coverage for your rental costs. For example, you may have two vehicles listed on your policy: a car and a truck. If only the car has rental reimbursement coverage, but the truck is in an at-fault accident that requires a rental, your rental reimbursement coverage would not apply.
Some other cases where rental car expenses are not covered include:
- Vacationing rental: If you are headed out of town and want to rent a car at your destination, you will have to pay rental fees out of pocket. Your policy would not cover rental expenses, regardless of whether your trip is for business or pleasure.
- Mechanical breakdown: If you are left carless because of a mechanical issue, rental reimbursement coverage does not step in. Instead, it only pays for rental car costs if your car is out of commission due to a covered loss.
- Routine maintenance: Similar to mechanical breakdown, if your car is in the shop for standard maintenance, your car insurance will not cover the costs.
Does my insurance cover rental cars?
Rental reimbursement coverage is not standard in many car insurance policies, but several insurance providers offer it as an add-on or supplemental coverage. Insurance professionals recommend that drivers consider adding it as its price usually does not impact the cost of your car insurance policy very much. Plus, having this type of coverage can be valuable in cutting your costs should you be involved in an accident.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, vehicles are typically in the shop for an average of two weeks after an accident. If you rely on your car to get back and forth to work or for other daily needs, two weeks of rental car fees can easily add up when you’re paying out of pocket.
Even in cases where an accident is not your fault and rental expenses are covered by the other driver’s insurance, sorting out these details can take time. If you have your own rental insurance coverage, you’ll be able to get a rental vehicle right away while resolving the claims process.
Rental car reimbursement vs. other optional coverage types
To better understand rental reimbursement and loss of use coverage, it may be beneficial to differentiate the two from other similar-sounding or similar-functioning coverage types.
| Coverage type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rental reimbursement or loss of use coverage | Optional coverage that pays for a rental car if you are involved in an accident or experience damage that is covered by your insurer. |
| Rental car insurance | Standalone policies that cover rental cars if you are involved in an accident while driving a rental. In most cases, your auto insurance policy will extend coverage to your rental car to cover it like your regular vehicle. But you may need extra coverage if your insurer restricts this extension or your policy does not have comprehensive and collision coverage and you need it for your rental car. |
| Mechanical breakdown coverage | Optional insurance that covers mechanical breakdowns of a car’s internal parts, like its transmission or drivetrain. It does not cover general maintenance, so you may want to consider its inclusions before purchasing it. Mechanical breakdown coverage does not include rental car reimbursement coverage. |
Do you need rental reimbursement coverage if you are not at fault in an accident?
If your car is damaged in an accident caused by another driver, their property damage liability coverage may pay for your rental car costs. Usually, the payment will be enough to rent a car that is comparable to your own vehicle, and for as long as needed to repair or replace your vehicle.
Even if another driver caused the accident, however, you may want to use your own rental car coverage, if you have it, since it can take a while for the other carrier to determine fault and release a payment for you, and you may need a car quickly. Accessing your own coverage can get you back on the road rapidly, and your insurer can then pursue the other driver’s insurance company to cover the costs. It’s always a good idea to consult your agent if you’re in this situation to work out the most cost effective and efficient solution and get back on the road.
Frequently asked questions
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While the costs can vary from provider to provider, rental car reimbursement coverage is usually relatively inexpensive. It will often be cheaper than renting a car out of pocket even once after a covered loss. Most insurance experts generally recommend it as a way to save money if your car is damaged in a covered event.
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Whether or not your car insurance policy will pay to tow your car if it breaks down depends on whether you have roadside assistance included on your policy. Like rental reimbursement insurance, roadside assistance is a common optional coverage you can add to your policy with most insurers. If you have a roadside assistance policy or endorsement, it generally provides coverage for towing (up to a certain mileage limit), lockout services, tire changes, battery jumps, fuel delivery and more in some cases. If you do not have this optional endorsement on your policy, you will typically have to pay for towing yourself.
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When looking for personal car insurance that covers rentals, it’s important to know that no single company is always the “best” option for everyone. You will generally want to think about your priorities when looking for the best car insurance for your needs. For example, if cost is your most important consideration, it’s likely that you’ll want to look at companies with a demonstrated record for writing cheap insurance. If you work from home or are retired, you may be better suited by a company that writes low-mileage insurance. If you have a few dings on your license, a company known for writing high-risk insurance may offer you benefits. Having said that, a few of the companies you may want to look at for rental reimbursement coverage include Progressive, Allstate and State Farm.
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It depends on the type of coverage selections you have. In most cases, your personal insurance policy will extend to your rental car, so if you have collision and comprehensive coverage on your policy, this coverage will pay for covered damage to the rental car. If you are not at fault for the damage to the rental car, the at fault party will pay for damage to the rental car, but if they are uninsured or underinsured, your personal policy may be able to offer coverage. If you do not have a personal insurance policy, you could buy insurance through the rental car company or you may have coverage through your credit card company.
Learn more: Rental car insurance
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