A car crash disrupts your life in many ways, but losing your primary mode of transportation creates immediate, practical problems. Figuring out how to get a rental car after an auto accident adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation.
A Texas car accident lawyer can get you the clear answers you need to find a path forward to get back on the road and back to your routine.
Key Takeaways for Getting a Rental Car After an Auto Accident
- The at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy may pay for a reasonably comparable rental vehicle.
- Your own policy’s rental reimbursement coverage offers an alternative path to quickly obtain a rental car.
- Insurance companies place daily and total monetary limits on rental car coverage.
- Texas law gives you the right to a rental vehicle for the reasonable time it takes to repair or replace your car.
- An experienced attorney handles all communication with insurers to arrange your transportation.
3 Steps To Secure Your Rental Car After an Auto Accident
You hold the power to accelerate the rental car process, and the steps you take right after the crash establish the foundation for a successful claim. Every piece of evidence you gather, and every notification you make pushes the insurance companies to act.
1. Document Everything After the Accident
Strong documentation provides the foundation for any successful insurance claim. Organize the vital information you collected from the other driver, such as their name, phone number, and insurance policy details.
The photos you took of the damaged vehicles and the accident scene—whether on the Dallas North Tollway or a quiet street in Arlington—are powerful tools for your claim.
The official police report serves as a critical piece of evidence. If you have the report number from the responding officer, keep it readily accessible. This report documents an impartial assessment of the crash and often influences an insurer's decision on liability.
2. Notify the Insurance Companies Promptly
Inform both your insurance company and the at-fault driver's insurer about the accident as soon as possible. Prompt notification starts the claims process. Delaying this step can give an insurance company a reason to question or slow-walk your claim.
When you report the crash, state the facts clearly and concisely. Let them know your car isn’t drivable and you need a rental car. The insurer assigns a claim number and an adjuster, who becomes your primary point of contact.
Here's the critical information you need to provide:
- Policy Information: The full name and policy number of the at-fault driver.
- Accident Details: The date, time, and location of the crash.
- Police Report Number: The case number from the responding police department.
- Your Contact Information: Your full name, address, and the best phone number to reach you.
For all other communications, direct the insurance adjuster to your lawyer.
3. Obtain Repair Estimates for Your Vehicle
An insurance company bases the length of your rental car authorization on a professional estimate of the repair time. Take your vehicle to a reputable body shop for a thorough inspection. A detailed estimate outlines the necessary repairs and the projected completion timeline.
Submit this estimate to the insurance adjuster. The adjuster may want to have their own appraiser inspect the damage, which is a standard procedure. A clear estimate from a trusted local mechanic helps justify the number of days you need the rental car.
Who Covers the Cost of Your Rental Car?
After a collision in DFW, from the busy streets of Downtown Dallas to the quieter neighborhoods of Garland, two primary sources exist for covering rental car expenses. The path you take often depends on the specifics of your accident and your own insurance coverage.
Making the correct choice impacts how quickly you get back on the road.
The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
The most common method involves filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. In Texas, all drivers must carry property damage liability insurance.
This coverage pays for the damages they cause to another person’s property, including the cost of a rental vehicle while your car receives repairs.
This process, known as a third-party claim, places the financial responsibility where it belongs: on the driver who caused the crash.
The other driver’s insurer evaluates the facts of the accident. Once they accept liability, they authorize direct billing with a rental company or offer reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses.
Using Your Own Insurance Policy
Sometimes, waiting for the other driver’s insurance to accept fault causes significant delays. If you carry optional rental reimbursement coverage on your own auto policy, you have a faster alternative. You can initiate a first-party claim to access these benefits immediately.
Your insurance company provides you with a rental car based on the limits of your coverage. You usually need to pay your deductible for your collision coverage to kick in for repairs.
Your insurer then seeks reimbursement for all its costs, including your deductible and rental expenses, from the at-fault driver's insurance company through a process called subrogation.
Insurance Policies and Rental Car Coverage
Insurance policies contain specific language and limits that dictate the scope of rental car benefits. Different types of coverage come into play when you request a rental car after an auto accident.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
The at-fault driver's property damage liability coverage is the cornerstone of a third-party claim. This mandatory coverage in Texas is designed to restore you to the position you were in before the accident.
This includes not just paying for car repairs but also compensating you for the loss of use of your vehicle, which is typically satisfied by providing a rental car.
An adjuster for the other party’s insurance company may try to limit the costs associated with your claim. They may question the repair time or the type of vehicle you request, which is a common tactic to save the company money.
Your Rental Reimbursement Coverage
Rental reimbursement is an optional coverage you can add to your Texas auto policy. It offers a convenient way to get a rental vehicle without waiting for a liability decision. However, this coverage has important limitations, which you select when you buy the policy.
Policyholders face certain restrictions, including:
- Daily Limits: Your policy may cover up to a certain amount per day, for example, $30, $40, or $50. If you rent a more expensive vehicle, you pay the difference out of pocket.
- Total Limits: A policy usually specifies a maximum total benefit or a maximum number of days, such as 30 days or a $1,500 total limit.
- Direct Billing: Many insurers have partnerships with specific rental companies, which allows for direct billing and simplifies the process for you.
- Out-of-Pocket Payment: If you choose a rental agency outside of your insurer’s network, you may need to pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
An accident with an uninsured driver complicates matters. If the at-fault driver lacks insurance, you cannot file a claim against their non-existent policy. In this situation, you turn to your own insurance policy for a solution.
Your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance. If you carry UM/UIM property damage (UMPD), it can help pay to repair your vehicle, typically subject to a $250 deductible.
If you also bought rental reimbursement coverage, you may be able to get a rental while your insurer processes your claim, subject to your policy’s limits and terms.
Navigating Common Challenges and Disputes
Insurance adjusters have a job to do: resolving claims while minimizing costs for their employer. This business reality sometimes creates friction for accident victims. You may encounter several tactics designed to limit what the insurer pays for your rental car after an auto accident.
Delays in Claim Processing
One of the most frequent frustrations is the speed of the claim. An adjuster for the other driver may delay accepting liability, asking for more information or for a recorded statement.
These delays leave you without transportation, forcing you to use your own coverage or pay out-of-pocket if you want a car quickly.
Disputes Over a Comparable Vehicle
Texas law generally supports your right to a rental vehicle that is reasonably comparable to your own damaged car. If you drive a seven-passenger SUV for your family, a small two-door compact car is not a comparable substitute.
Yet, some adjusters often approve only the most basic, inexpensive rental options.
Pushback on this point is common. An attorney can send a formal demand letter that clarifies the insurer's obligation to provide a functionally equivalent vehicle. Needing your truck for work in a place like the AllianceTexas industrial complex strengthens your argument for a comparable rental.
Disputes Over the Reasonable Repair Period
What constitutes a reasonable period for repairs frequently becomes a point of contention. The body shop might inform you that parts are on backorder, which can extend the repair timeline. However, the insurance company may only agree to pay for the rental period originally estimated.
Insurers might use these common arguments to limit rental days:
- Questioning Shop Efficiency: They may claim the body shop is taking too long to complete the work.
- Ignoring Parts Delays: An adjuster might refuse to extend the rental even when essential parts are unavailable.
- Total Loss Calculations: If the car is declared a total loss, they often stop rental payments just a few days after making a settlement offer, which may not be enough time to buy a new car.
- Arguing Pre-Existing Damage: They may try to say some of the repair time is for damage that existed before the accident.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Secure a Rental Car After an Accident
An injury lawyer's assistance extends beyond your medical treatment and injury claim. A skilled attorney also handles the property damage aspects of your case, including securing a rental car after an auto accident.
This support removes a significant burden, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
An attorney assists with your rental car needs in several important ways:
- Communicating With Insurers: A lawyer takes over all interactions with insurance adjusters, ending the constant calls and demands for information.
- Establishing Liability: Your lawyer uses the police report, witness statements, and other evidence to firmly establish the other driver's fault, which compels their insurer to act.
- Contesting Unfair Denials or Delays: When an insurer attempts to deny a comparable vehicle or cut off rental payments prematurely, your lawyer steps in to challenge them and assert your rights.
- Securing Full Compensation: A lawyer fights to get you a comparable rental car for the full and reasonable period of your vehicle’s repairs or until you receive a fair settlement for a total loss.
- Pursuing All Related Compensation: An attorney integrates your rental car needs into a broader claim that also covers personal injuries and any lost wages from the crash.
FAQ for Getting a Rental Car After an Auto Accident
How Long Does the Other Driver's Insurance Pay for a Rental Car?
The at-fault driver's insurance must pay for a rental car for a reasonable amount of time. This period covers the time it takes for a mechanic to repair your vehicle.
If your car is a total loss, they generally cover a rental for a few days after they make a settlement offer, giving you time to find a replacement vehicle.
What Happens if My Car Is Totaled?
If the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds its actual cash value (ACV), the insurance company declares it a total loss. In this scenario, they stop authorizing a rental car shortly after they offer you a settlement for your totaled car.
A lawyer can often negotiate for a few extra days if the insurer’s settlement offer is delayed or unfair, giving you more time to shop for a new car.
Can I Choose My Own Rental Car Company?
Yes, you generally can choose your preferred rental car company. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may have negotiated discounted rates with specific national brands.
If you choose an out-of-network provider, the insurer may only reimburse you for what it would have paid its preferred partner, and you would be responsible for the difference.
Do I Have To Pay for the Rental Car Upfront?
It depends on the claim path: If the at-fault insurer accepts liability quickly, it can arrange direct billing with a rental agency, so you have no upfront costs.
If you use your own policy's rental reimbursement coverage, you may have to pay upfront and wait for your insurer to reimburse you, depending on your policy terms.
Can a Lawyer Help Me Get a Rental Car After an Auto Accident?
A law firm's team typically handles the entire process. They contact the responsible insurance carrier, provide proof of liability, and demand immediate authorization for a rental vehicle that is comparable to your own.
The firm manages all follow-up communication, addresses any delays, and resolves disputes over the duration or type of rental car authorized by the adjuster. They’ll also build a demand package for your other losses, such as injuries and lost wages.
Take Control of Your Transportation
You have enough to worry about after a car wreck without adding the stress of fighting an insurance company for basic transportation. Let the team at DFW Injury Lawyers handle every aspect of your property damage and injury claim, including all the details of your rental car arrangements.Fill out our online form today to get started for free.