HOW MUCH RENTAL COVERAGE YOU SHOULD HAVE?
Estimated Reading Time: 7.5minutes
FIVE REASONS YOU NEED TO HAVE RENTAL COVERAGE AND THE RIGHT COVERAGE
- Even if the accident was not your fault, the other driver’s insurance company will investigate the accident before authorizing a rental car which could take days or weeks;
- If you are at fault for the accident your insurance company will pay for a rental while car is being repaired;
- The insurance company will usually put you in a midsize car which most of us would consider a small car;
- If you need a larger vehicle as a rental, you need to upgrade your rental coverage which is generally very inexpensive, and most people do not know about it;
- Less Time and less stress. If your car is wrecked and you have rental coverage, your own insurance company will immediately put you in a rental car without waiting or paying out of pocket.
After a car accident, dealing with the stress of repairs injuries and continued life is the best reason to hire an attorney to relieve those stresses. At TheOneLawyer.com, we are experienced auto accident injury lawyers who can help you immediately. Unfortunately, one thing an attorney cannot always do immediately is put you into a rental car if you do not have rental car coverage on your policy. We can get you reimbursed later. Even if you are not at fault for the accident, the at fault driver ‘s insurance company will not authorize a rental car immediately. Although our experience will make sure you are reimbursed if the accident is your fault, this can create a headache you just do not need. The adverse insurance company will investigate the accident and determine who was at fault. This can often take several days or even up to 30 days. If you do not have rental car coverage on your policy, you could have to scramble to find a vehicle and pay this out of pocket until you are reimbursed. If the accident is determined to be not your fault the adverse insurance company will reimburse you for the expense.
However, they will likely argue the amount that you paid or not pay promptly. For this reason, we urge our readers to put rental car coverage on your own automobile insurance policy. If you add rental coverage on your policy, your insurance company will put you into a rental and authorize repairs on your vehicle immediately. That is because an auto insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. That means when you pay for your policy of insurance you buy certain coverages. When you purchase those coverages your own insurance company is obligated to comply with the contract and provide rental car coverage if you have rental and collision to repair your vehicle. As a note, you generally cannot get rental coverage if you do not have collision coverage. This means that your insurance company will put you into a rental car while your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company is paying to repair the vehicle.
Most clients come to us with the misconception that everything will be handled immediately if it is not their fault, and everyone will also know immediately that is not their fault. Unfortunately, this is far from the case. Even rear end accidents where fault appears clear, there is usually delays with the other insurance company verifying the facts of the accident, obtaining a police report, speaking to their own insured, and verifying the facts before they will issue payments. That is why maintaining your own coverages to protect you and your family is critically important.
Rental reimbursement coverage usually referred to as “rental coverage, pays for various transportation expenses, including a rental car or public transportation fees, while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered insurance claim. Rental coverage does not apply if your vehicle needs maintenance work or if you need to rent a car on vacation.
Rental reimbursement coverage may be called “rental car coverage” or “transportation expense coverage.” It is almost always an optional coverage on an auto insurance policy which means you need to add it to your policy and pay an extra premium for the coverage. However, the average cost is usually less than the cost of one day of rental. Having worked with thousands of accident victims on the personal injury cases in Las Vegas and Henderson, most people need transportation immediately to prevent additional disruption of their daily lives. If you are reading this, I urge you to check your declarations page which is the first page of your policy and make sure you have rental coverage.
THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF RENTAL COVERAGE
This series of blogs has focused on different types of coverages and the amounts that you likely need. Rental car coverage is usually a rather inexpensive coverage to purchase. What most people do not know is that there’s often levels of rental car coverage which usually only very a few dollars in cost on your premium. Some people do not care what type of vehicle they are placed in while their vehicles are being repaired and if that is you, then obtain the lowest cost rental coverage. We have had clients who drive large vehicles and need them for their families, or their work and they are upset or even often extremely inconvenienced if they are placed in a small vehicle under their policy. If you are one of those people, it would be wise to purchase an upgraded rental policy that will allow rental coverage usually up to $50 a day instead of $30 a day. If you look on any of the travel sites, you will see that the difference of $30 a day and $50 a day in obtaining rental car is vastly different. It is amazing how far $20 a day will go a long way in determining what type of vehicle you would rent. For a few dollars a year, your family could be spared the great inconvenience of stuffing your four children or mother-in-law or carpool work friends into a compact vehicle.
By contacting a lawyer immediately, you can receive the most money for your injury claim. At TheOneLawyer.com we will quickly obtain the report for you. Having worked in the insurance industry as an attorney for 9 years before opening our boutique law firm specializing in helping injured people, I reviewed thousands of insurance policies. With extensive experience in the insurance field, I can help you review your injury claim and maximize the money you receive in your pocket after your bills and fees are paid.
At TheOneLawyer.com, we are here to serve our community and provide legal services in the Henderson and Las Vegas area. We are a boutique law firm providing experienced and personal representation to injured clients. At the Law Offices of Laura Payne-Hunt, TheOneLawyer.com we provide professional and personal service to each and every one of our clients on various legal matters and have over 15 years of experience in reviewing insurance policies and in Nevada insurance law. If you have a question regarding any type of personal injury or paying your medical bills from an accident, please do not hesitate to call the offices of TheOneLawyer.com and speak directly to attorney Laura Marie Payne-Hunt, Esq. a Henderson Injury Attorney for over 15 years. Laura is recognized as one of Nevada’s Top 100 Lawyers. She has the experience and knowledge to obtain the maximum settlement you deserve. Please call our office if you or a loved one is injured. We can make sure that you receive the care you need and deserve and advise on how to preserve evidence.
At our office, we are experienced in helping injured victims get the compensation they are entitled to. Insurance companies never have the best interest of the injured person at the top of their priorities. They want to pay as little on every claim as possible. Having worked for an insurance company as an attorney for 9 years before opening my boutique law firm specializing in helping injured people, I have reviewed thousands of auto accident claims and policy provisions.
At the Henderson and Las Vegas Accident injury law offices of TheOneLaweyer.com, Laura Marie Payne-Hunt and her staff are here to help you and your family in the event that accidents and tragedies occur. For any of your legal needs, do not hesitate to contact our Henderson and Las Vegas Accident injury offices. TheOneLawyer.com is a boutique, family-owned law firm that specializes in helping injured people and the community of Las Vegas and Henderson Nevada with legal issues involving auto accidents, wrongful deaths, slip and falls, truck accidents, injuries to children, bicycle accidents, dog bites, product liability claims, and all types of injury claims. Please do not hesitate to call us anytime you have a legal question or you or a loved one has sustained an injury at 702-450-(HUNT) 4868 and text 24/7 at 702-600-0032.