The average person has three accidents in their lifetime. Life does not stand still while the vehicle is in the repair shop. For this reason, insurance companies offer rental reimbursement, which can be added to a personal automobile policy to pay for car rental fees while the vehicle is repaired.
How to Get Rental ReimbursementThe guidelines of rental reimbursement are listed in the policy handbook; however, this is something every insured should discuss with their agent. Some companies automatically include rental reimbursement coverage; however, many companies offer rental reimbursement as an add-on that must be endorsed to the policy.
How Much Does it CostRental reimbursement can run as low as a dollar a month to ten dollars a month. A rental car can cost 30-40 dollars a day, so this coverage can save the insured hundreds of dollars. Insurance pays for the cost of the rental car, but it does not cover gas for the rental or fees for stains caused by the insured. Many rental companies also charge a deposit, which in most cases is refunded when the vehicle is returned; insurance will not pay for this, but sometimes the fee is waved by the rental company.
How does Rental Reimbursement WorkA common misconception is that rental reimbursement pays for a rental car for going on vacation. While the policy coverages are transferred to the rental, a policyholder is only entitled to a rental car if their personal auto is damaged in a covered loss. Not all companies offer the same coverage. Some will provide a rental car for as little as ten days while others will allow up to three months. In addition, the company may pay for the rental upfront while others reimburse the insured after they return the rental, which they pay for out of pocket. The agent or claims adjustor should be able to explain the restrictions and specifications of the rental riembursement endorsement.
Rental reimbursement can be added to almost any insurance policy. Without this coverage, the insured must pay for rental fees on their own. For as low as a dollar a month, rental reimbursement helps drivers get to where they need to go while their vehicles are in the shop.
