Does auto insurance cover a rental during car repairs?
Auto insurance covers a rental car during repairs if you have rental reimbursement coverage. Check your car insurance policy to see what's covered, and consider upgrading your personal auto insurance to cover rental cars during repairs.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insurance...
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
UPDATED: Nov 29, 2022
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 29, 2022
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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A basic car insurance policy doesn’t include rental cars since liability auto insurance coverage only pays for bodily injuries and property damage to others. However, full coverage car insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverages, pays for damages to your vehicle from various causes. You can add rental car coverage if you have full coverage, but it doesn’t come with it. Insurance covers rental cars if you have specific coverage like rental car reimbursement on your policy. Below are examples of when rental reimbursement coverage kicks in during car repairs: If someone else causes the accident, their car insurance may pay for your rental car. However, you’ll have to wait for their insurer to approve the rental and be subject to their limits. Adding rental car coverage to your policy costs extra, but it’s generally less than renting a car for one day. Including rental car reimbursement on your policy is an inexpensive way to ensure you always have a ride without waiting on another insurance company. Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once! Will insurance pay for a rental car during repairs? If you have rental car coverage, your insurance pays for a rental while your vehicle gets repaired from a covered claim. However, many insurance companies require full coverage to add rental reimbursement. Each car insurance company decides how it deals with rental car coverage. Some companies pay the rental car company directly, and some require you to pay, then they reimburse you. This table shows how some of the best auto insurance companies handle rental car coverage. Rental car reimbursement coverage doesn’t usually come with a standard insurance policy. Instead, it’s an added feature that increases your rates, and not all insurers offer the coverage. In addition, rental reimbursement coverage does have limits. For example, your policy may pay up to $30 daily for a rental for up to 30 days. So if you choose a more expensive vehicle or need the car for longer than a month, you’ll have to pay any additional fees for your rental out of pocket. Some insurers also allow you to use public transportation, taxis, and rideshares with the coverage. Check with your car insurance company to see if you have rental car reimbursement coverage and how to use it. Does insurance cover the rental car when a car is in the shop? Again, there isn’t a cut-and-dry answer — it depends on your car insurance. Many car insurance policies extend to rental cars but read your policy to determine if you need extra coverage. Car insurance pays for a rental car if your vehicle is getting repaired from a covered loss. However, don't expect your insurance to pay if you need a rental car for another reason. Examples of when car insurance doesn’t cover rental cars include: If my car breaks down, will insurance cover a rental? No, insurance only covers rentals if your vehicle needs repairs from a covered claim, such as an accident, fire, or vandalism. Although the cost of rental car reimbursement is typically low, it’s still an added expense. Removing unnecessary coverages is a great way to lower your auto insurance rates. Keep in mind that you may not need rental car reimbursement coverage at all. For example, you can skip coverage if you have another car you can drive while yours gets repaired. Additionally, if you can use public transportation, borrow a friend's car, or get rides from others, you don’t need the additional cost of rental car coverage. Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once! Insurance covers rental cars if you have the right policy. Rental car reimbursement is a feature you can add to your policy that pays for a rental if your vehicle gets damaged under a covered claim. Most policies don’t automatically include the feature, and it makes your rates increase. However, rental car reimbursement is typically inexpensive. You can add or remove the coverage at any time. Rental car reimbursement doesn’t cover a rental for vacation, routine maintenance, or if your car breaks down. Additionally, you might not need the coverage if you have another vehicle to drive, can take public transportation, or can get a lift from someone else. Is there a time limit on how long insurance pays for a rental car? Yes, your car insurance company won’t pay for a rental indefinitely. However, each insurer sets its own rules for rental cars. Typically, your policy only offers a set amount of money each day for a set amount of time. For example, your car insurance company may pay $30 a day for up to 30 days to rent a car after a covered loss. After 30 days, you’ll have to pay for a rental car yourself. Will my car insurance cover a rental car if I cause an accident? Yes, if you have rental car reimbursement, it doesn’t matter if you are the at-fault driver or not. However, each car insurance policy is different, so read the fine print to know exactly what is covered. Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once! Leslie Kasperowicz Farmers CSR for 4 Years Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insurance... Farmers CSR for 4 Years Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
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What is rental reimbursement coverage?
When doesn’t car insurance cover rental cars?
Do you need rental car reimbursement?
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Does Insurance Include Rental Car Reimbursement: The Bottom Line
Frequently Asked Questions
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