how to get a rental car when you have an injury lawyer

While an attorney cannot assist with rental car fees due to ethical rules, 1 they can help to negotiate with your insurance company to provide you with a rental car.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer after a rental car accident?

If you have been in an accident involving a rental car, or if you otherwise have a dispute with a rental car company, consult a lawyer. An experienced products and services attorney can advise you of your rights and let you know what possible courses of action you can take along with what defenses you might have if you are sued.

What to do if your rental car is damaged?

You need to stop renting your automobile once the auto shop repairs your damaged car. Once the shop repairs your vehicle, the insurance company is no longer responsible for rental fees. At the soonest moment, get your fixed vehicle and return your rental car.

How do I get rental car insurance if the other driver?

How to Get Rental Car Insurance if You're at Fault or Have Non-Collision Damage If the other driver is at fault, get the other driver's contact and insurance information and call their insurance company directly to file a claim. Ideally, the insurance company will claim liability and provide a rental car promptly. However, delays often occur.

Who pays for an accident with a rental car?

When getting into an auto accident with a rental car, the coverage of who pays for the accident will entirely depend on the state in which the accident occurred. In California, your insurance would be the primary, and the rental car company insurance would be the secondary.

What is the job of a lawyer?

The job of a lawyer is to solve a client’s problems quickly and favorably. Drivers need to be diligent in providing as much information as possible to not only their insurance companies but also their lawyers. The more information that an insurance company and lawyer receive, such as from police reports, witness testimony, etc., greater the chance that the case can be solved quickly and in your favor. If you have been in a car accident and need advice, M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers is just a phone call away.

What does at fault driver's insurance do?

At-fault driver’s insurance company accepts responsibility for an accident – They will pay you for a rental car until they are able to compensate you for the loss or damage to your vehicle, as long as the rental is for a reasonable amount of time. In other words, if your vehicle is damaged, you can’t drag your heels in getting it replaced or repaired just because you happen to like your rental car more than your own vehicle.

What is the insurer's goal in getting a rental car?

The insurer's goals is to get compensated for the money they paid for your rental car once we get resolved the responsibility for the motor vehicle crash . The biggest problem in getting a rental car is when the at-fault carrier either denies responsibility.

What is the biggest problem with renting a car?

The biggest problem in getting a rental car is when the at-fault carrier either denies responsibility. It can be equally as bad if the insurer withholds making a decision when you need a rental car. The at-fault carrier must pay for a rental car. If they either later agree they are responsible or are found to be responsible, ...

What is the number to call for car accident claim?

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, call us at 800-553-8082 or click here for a free consultation via the Internet. More Information on Your Claim. Help Center (a path through the maze of civil tort claims) Example of a Demand Letter to the Insurance Company.

Why is not having a lawyer important?

Not having a lawyer limits the amount of pressure you can apply because you do not have a hammer. Lawsuits are hammers. But you can apply pressure on the insurer to do the right thing. Remember you have to comply with the time limit to bring a claim in your jurisdiction.

Can you get a rental car after an accident?

Usually getting a rental car from the at-fault insurance company is easy. Unless it is not. In that case, getting getting a rental car after an accident can be World War III. If you are injured, you can get your lawyer to help you, most likely for no charge. If you have suffered injuries, getting a lawyer can be a challenge.

Do you need a car to live your life?

If you are like most of the rest of us, you need a car to live your life. You still need to get to work if you are able, get your kids to school, and live your life. Obviously, these concerns are more pronounced in one car families. If you are in an accident as the result of someone's else mistake, there is usually a path to getting a rental car.

Do you have to pay for a rental car in 2020?

But you have to front the money to pay for the rental vehicle. Not everyone can front this expense in 2020.

What happens when a rental car is involved in an accident?

When a rental car is involved in an automobile accident, the potential exists for more parties to become involved in a lawsuit in order to collect damages. When a driver rents a car, the rental car agent will generally ask if the driver would like to purchase insurance on the vehicle being rented.

How to protect rental car from damage?

The three primary ways in which to cover damage to a rental car include: Transfer your own insurance coverage. If you have full coverage insurance on your current vehicle, you can automatically transfer that coverage to the car ...

What is PAI in rental car insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance (“PAI”): Personal accident insurance is what provides medical, ambulance, and death benefits for the renter and passengers of the rental car.

What to do if you declined a rental company's collision damage waiver?

Some steps that you should take in such cases include: Notifying the rental company for further instructions; If you declined the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you will need to notify your insurance company and/or your credit card company that a claim will need to be made ; and.

What information is needed after a car accident?

Specific information that needs to be collected after a car accident includes: Date and time of the accident; Address of the accident; Road on which the car accident occurred; The direction in which your car was traveling in, as well as the direction of all other vehicles involved;

How does an auto accident affect your life?

An auto accident can have an impact on your health, property, finances, and even insurance premiums. To resolve these issues requires a different approach for each one. One way to better manage this process may be to hire a personal injury lawyer.

What is the leading cause of car accidents?

One of the leading causes of car accidents is negligence. In some cases, only one of the drivers involved in the accident is at fault. In others, multiple drivers may be responsible for the actions that caused the accident.

What insurance do I need for a rental car?

If you are an insured driver, then most likely you do not need to purchase additional insurance from the car rental agency. Check to see if your car rental is insured under any of the following: 1 Personal car insurance 2 Personal home insurance 3 Personal credits cards 4 Employer’s car insurance, if you are renting the car for business purposes 5 Automobile club membership, such as AAA

What happens if you have reserved a car?

If you have reserved a car and the company does not have a car available for you when you arrive, the company must do everything it can to find you a comparable car. If the only thing available among the company’s fleet is a more expensive car, then you are entitled to that car, but you do not have to pay the higher rate.

Can I rent a car under 21?

Young drivers under the age of 21: Sometimes, car rental companies will refuse to rent to drivers under the age of 25; others may charge extra for renting to a younger driver. Drivers with bad driving records: Most rental car companies will refuse to rent a car to bad drivers, especially those with serious offenses, such as drunk driving, ...

Is AAA insurance liable for damages?

The insurance offered by car rental companies often have too many loopholes to offer a driver adequate additional protection. Drivers have often found that they are liable for certain damages even though they have purchased the car rental company’s insurance.

Can a rental company refuse to rent a car to me?

Can the Rental Company Refuse to Rent a Car to Me? Nearly all rental car companies can and will refuse to rent to certain people, including: Drivers without credit or debit cards: Most rental car companies require a major credit card or debit card as a deposit when you rent a car.

How long does a car rental last after a negligent driver's insurance is paid?

If the negligent driver’s insurance company is paying for your car rental and your vehicle is totaled, you should be aware that the adjuster will not authorize a car rental for more than a few days after they make a reasonable offer or settle your claim.

What happens if a negligent driver causes an accident?

When a negligent driver causes your accident, one of your immediate concerns—after receiving medical treatment—is getting your vehicle repaired or replaced if the insurance company totals your vehicle. If you are like most people, you rely on your automobile on a daily basis and cannot afford to be without it even for a day.

What happens if you file a negligent driver claim?

That depends on which insurance company is paying for it. If you filed your claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company, it would be responsible for providing you with a vehicle that is similar to the one you were driving. Your own insurance company is also responsible for providing you with a comparable vehicle, ...

How long can you be without a car?

The negligent driver’s insurance company will investigate your claim more thoroughly before authorizing a car rental. You could be without a vehicle for a week or more while this process is completed.

Do you need car insurance in Georgia?

You are not required to purchase car rental insurance under Georgia law. However, if you purchased this type of insurance, you could file a claim for your car rental costs, whether or not the negligent driver had insurance that would pay them.

Can you get a car rental while your car is being repaired?

You have more than one avenue for obtaining a car rental while your vehicle is being repaired or you are negotiating a settlement with the insurance company. You have the following options to be paid for a car rental: Negligent driver’s insurance company.

What to do if your rental policy doesn't include reimbursement?

If your policy doesn't include rental reimbursement, you'll need to pay for the rental and seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver's insurance company yourself. Be sure to select a rental vehicle of the same general type and value as your own, and send a record of all transactions to the insurance agent you're working with.

What to do if another driver is at fault?

If the other driver is at fault, get the other driver's contact and insurance information and call their insurance company directly to file a claim. Ideally, the insurance company will claim liability and provide a rental car promptly. However, delays often occur.

Why do insurance companies delay claiming liability?

Insurance companies might delay claiming liability if the other driver fails to respond to the insurer's requests for their account of the accident or if the insurer thinks you might be partially at fault. Unfortunately, some providers know that if they delay reimbursement long enough, you might abandon the claim.

What is Geico's preferred rental car company?

For example: Geico's preferred rental car company is Enterprise Rent-A-Car. If you're seeking a claim through Geico, Enterprise will bill Geico directly instead of requiring you to pay at the counter. Similarly, Hertz provides discounts to Allstate and State Farm drivers.

How long do you have to be covered for car repairs?

If your car repairs are delayed because the insurance company, or the other driver, is slow to respond, you should be covered until your own car is available . But if you're delaying the repair process, the relevant insurance provider may terminate coverage after a certain number of days.

Can you rent a car through your own insurance?

If you need your rental immediately, you may need to front the rental costs yourself or rent through your own insurance company, then seek reimbursement from the other driver's insurer later. If you're at fault for an accident, or if your car was damaged in a non-collision event, your rental fees will only be covered if you added ...

Can insurance cover rental car?

However, if you need a rental car urgently, or if the other insurance company is slow to admit liability, you may have to seek reimbursement retroactively. If this is the case, contact your own insurance agent and see if your policy includes rental reimbursement. If it does, your insurance company may cover your rental fees ...

What happens if you don't have rental car insurance?

If you don’t have rental car insurance and the other company is not paying for your rental, you might pay out-of-pocket until the case settles. Be aware this could take time. Insurance companies delay payouts as long as possible. They often wait until the at-fault determination from the court before reimbursing you.

When to stop renting a car?

Stop renting when you receive an insurance check. If the insurance company agrees that your car is totaled, they often pay the rental fees before the determination. However, you need to pay for the rental fees once you accept the settlement.

What happens if you splurge on a fancy car?

If you splurge on a fancy car, then you must pay any amount over the standard payment. #2. Stop renting when they fix your car. You need to stop renting your automobile once the auto shop repairs your damaged car. Once the shop repairs your vehicle, the insurance company is no longer responsible for rental fees.

What to do if your insurance company doesn't have a mobile app?

If your insurance company does not have a mobile app, you might have to go old school and call them. #3. Contact the police. Insurance companies want a police report of the accident when possible. The cops generally determine the at-fault driver on the scene.

Why is it so frustrating when someone hits your car?

It is frustrating because you are not sure you know how to get to your work and other locations.

Do you need a rental car if you can move your car?

That said, you probably do not need a rental car if you can move your car. The caveat is often a police officer thinks an accident is less than $500 and do not file a police report. However, the body shops could charge thousands ...

What to do after a car accident?

If you’ve been in an accident in a rented vehicle, a lot of the steps you should take immediately afterward are the same as those you would take after a crash in your own vehicle. Get medical attention for anyone who seems to have suffered even minor injuries. Call law enforcement and report the accident (keeping in mind that they may or may not come to the scene), exchange insurance and contact information with everyone involved, and get the names of any witnesses who saw what happened. Learn more about What to Do After a Car Accident.

Does collision damage waiver apply to rental car?

The collision damage waiver only applies to damage done to the rental car, and it essentially shifts most costs of repairing or replacing the vehicle off of you and onto the rental car company. But it does not apply at all to injuries to another driver or passenger.

Can you get into an accident while renting a car?

Renting a car isn't something most people do on a regular basis. But there can be a greater risk for accidents to happen on the occasions when you do rent a car, since you're usually unfamiliar with both the vehicle you're driving and the area where you're driving. If you do end up getting into an accident while driving a rented vehicle, the personal injury claim landscape doesn't look all that different when compared to any other car accident, but there are a few unique issues to keep in mind.