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Our LocationsIf the other driver caused the crash, their liability insurer should pay for a reasonable rental while your car is being repaired. If fault is disputed, the rental reimbursement coverage on your own policy is the fallback and your insurer can pursue the other carrier later. If the other driver has no insurance, or if you caused the crash, rental reimbursement is the only coverage that pays for a rental at all.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Ohio where another driver is at fault, there is a lot to navigate. Besides your injuries and pursuing a legal claim, you’ll likely wonder, “How am I supposed to get around while my car is being repaired?” In most cases, you may be able to rent a car for the interim, but doing so could add a layer of complication and possibly an added expense.
Here’s how to rent a car following an auto accident and what victims should be aware of when pursuing a personal injury claim:
Almost every rental question comes down to which of four situations you are in.
Their liability coverage pays. Ohio treats the loss of the use of your car as part of the damage their driver caused, which is why the rental is owed rather than offered. Open the property damage claim, say the car is not drivable or is in the shop, and ask whether they will set up direct billing with a rental agency or expect you to pay and be reimbursed. Get the answer in writing.
This is where people get stranded. Until the other insurer accepts liability it pays nothing, and a disputed claim can take weeks. If you carry rental reimbursement coverage, use it now and let your insurer chase the other carrier later. If you do not, you are choosing between paying out of pocket and going without a car, so document the refusal and the dates.
There is no liability policy to bill. Your rental reimbursement coverage is the only thing that pays for a rental, and your collision coverage handles the repair. If you are the one without insurance, being not at fault but uninsured does not end your claim against the other driver, but it does leave you without the collision and rental coverage that would have carried you through.
Your liability coverage pays the other driver’s losses, not yours. Collision covers your car if you bought it, and only rental reimbursement covers the rental. This is the scenario that catches people out, because they assume full coverage includes a loaner. It does not, unless that line is on the declarations page.
Not sure which one you are in? Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation and we will tell you where the rental should be coming from.
Following a car accident, it’s crucial to understand how the car rental process works, especially if your vehicle is damaged or not drivable.
Before considering a rental, ensure the accident is reported correctly and get medical care for any injuries. Contact the local police, report the incident, and obtain a copy of the accident report. This will be crucial evidence to support your case and any claims you make, including the need for a rental car.
Once you properly document your accident and get treatment, contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company immediately to initiate a claim. Inform them that your car is damaged and state that you’ll need a rental while it’s in the shop.
Once the claim is initiated, the insurance company may:
You can also choose to contact your insurance company. This may be a necessity if liability for your accident is disputed. They may provide you with a rental car faster, but you might be responsible for the upfront costs. Only rental reimbursement coverage actually pays for a rental car on your own policy. Collision and comprehensive coverage pay to repair or replace your vehicle; neither one covers the car you drive while you wait. Which policy pays for what is the whole subject of whose insurance pays after an Ohio crash.
When going through your insurance, you’ll often pay for the rental car upfront. Your insurance will then seek repayment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, a process called subrogation.
While some insurance companies have partnerships with specific rental agencies, which might streamline the process, you can choose any rental company you like. It’s usually wise to check online reviews or ask for recommendations to pick a reputable company.
If the at-fault driver’s insurer accepts liability, it may reimburse you directly for the rental car expenses. Rental costs belong in the same claim as the repair, and here is how to make a property damage claim. However, this can sometimes involve waiting periods or delays. Make sure to get written confirmation of this agreement. Also, keep track of all rental car receipts and paperwork.
Document the necessity for the rental, especially if the duration is longer due to complications in car repairs or disputed liability. There’s also usually a daily rate limit of what the insurance company will reimburse you for, so ensure the rental cost aligns with this rate to avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.
If you decide to go through your insurance (given you have rental car coverage), you’ll likely pay upfront and get reimbursed later. Your insurer will then pursue the at-fault party’s insurance for compensation.
When settling your personal injury insurance claim, the cost of the rental car is usually part of the total compensation sought. Your attorney will bundle this with other damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Remember that you have rights if the at-fault driver’s insurance pushes back against providing a rental or only offers limited compensation. They are obligated to cover your expenses as long as they’re reasonable and necessary due to the accident.
When the insurer elects to repair your car and sends it to a shop it designates, it owes you a vehicle restored to its pre-accident condition, parts and safety systems included. There is more to know about getting your car fixed after an accident, including what happens when the shop finds damage the estimate missed.
Insurance companies are businesses, after all. Sometimes, they may offer settlements that seem quicker and simpler but might not cover all your costs. A common way they lowball you is by undervaluing what you paid for vehicle repairs and rental expenses, and there are other ways insurers reduce what they pay.
Ensure your rights are respected:
The rental duration is typically determined by the repair time for your car. If the insurance company tries to cut the rental period short while your car is still legitimately in the shop, push back in writing or talk to a lawyer.
Remember to keep open lines of communication with the insurance adjuster. If there are delays in your car’s repair, or if you face any issues with the rental, let them know immediately.
The at-fault insurer owes the rental for the period reasonably required to repair the car, not for every day the car is out of service. Days lost because the shop is backed up on unrelated work, or because you waited a week to authorize the repair, get argued over. Days lost because the insurer took its time sending an appraiser are usually yours to claim. Keep a written record of when the car went in, when parts were ordered, and when the adjuster learned of each delay. If the car is declared a total loss, the clock changes entirely.
The at-fault driver’s insurance is usually obligated to provide you with a car similar in size and function to your damaged one. For instance, if you were driving an SUV, you shouldn’t be limited to renting a compact car.
While you’re entitled to a comparable vehicle, renting luxury cars or adding unnecessary features can be a point of contention. The insurance company may dispute reimbursing you for a rental if they feel the vehicle was excessive, given the circumstances.
You pick the rental company. Insurers have preferred agencies and direct-billing arrangements, and using one is often simpler, but nothing requires it. What the insurer controls is the daily rate it will reimburse and what counts as comparable. If your vehicle serves a specific purpose, a work truck or a third row for car seats, say so at the outset in writing rather than renting first and arguing later.
Refusals come in three forms: the insurer denies liability, it accepts liability but calls the rental period unreasonable, or it stops responding. All three start the same way. Ask the adjuster to put the refusal and the reason in writing, then keep every email and note the date and substance of every call.
From there you have options. Pay for the rental yourself and include the receipts in the property damage claim, which is the usual route. Use your own rental reimbursement coverage and let your insurer fight about who owes what. Or file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Insurance, which reviews whether the company handled the claim within the policy terms and Ohio’s claims-handling rules; the Department cannot act as your lawyer or decide fault, so it is a pressure point rather than a fix. A rental dispute rarely stands alone. An insurer that is difficult about a few hundred dollars of rental charges is usually difficult about the injury claim too.
A total loss ends the rental question faster than people expect. Once the insurer decides the car is not worth repairing and makes its offer, it generally pays for a rental only a few more days, on the theory that the money puts you in a position to buy a replacement. Some carriers allow more time, and the number is rarely negotiable after the fact.
So do not let the rental deadline push you into accepting a valuation you think is low. The gap between a fair and an unfair valuation on total loss claims is worth far more than a week of rental car. And if your car was repaired rather than totaled but is worth less now because it carries an accident on its record, that shortfall is its own claim; diminished value claims are handled separately from the rental and the repair. One more wrinkle: if you crash while driving the rental, an accident in a rental car brings the rental company’s policy and any coverage extended from your own into the mix.
If their driver caused the crash, their liability coverage is responsible for the reasonable cost of being without your car while it is repaired. The loss of the use of your vehicle is part of the property damage their insured caused, not a courtesy. The catch is that the insurer does not pay until it accepts fault, so a disputed claim leaves a gap. Your own rental reimbursement coverage, if you carry it, fills that gap and your insurer pursues the other carrier.
For a repairable car, the insurer pays for the time reasonably needed to complete the repairs, not every day the car sits at the shop. Delays caused by the shop or by you generally are not covered; delays caused by the insurer’s own slow inspection generally are. If the car is a total loss, rental coverage usually ends a few days after the settlement offer. Keep the adjuster updated in writing as the repair timeline changes.
You can still claim the rental cost from the at-fault driver’s insurer, because it is part of the damage they caused. What you lose is the ability to have your own insurer front the money while fault is sorted out. People in that spot usually pay for the rental, keep every receipt, and seek reimbursement as part of the property damage claim. Rental reimbursement is inexpensive coverage, which is why it is worth adding before you need it.
Usually yes, but for a shorter period. Once the insurer declares the car a total loss and makes an offer, it typically pays for a rental a few more days so you can shop for a replacement, then stops. If you disagree with the valuation, say so quickly and in writing. Getting the valuation right is worth more than the extra rental days, so do not let the deadline rush you into a low number.
You are entitled to a comparable vehicle, not a nicer one. If you drove a mid-size SUV the insurer should not limit you to a compact, and if you drove a compact you should not expect a luxury sedan on their money. Comparable means similar size, body style, and function, and insurers apply a daily rate cap. If you need something specific, a work truck or room for car seats, tell the adjuster and put the reason in writing.
Renting a car after a crash sounds simple until the adjuster starts asking questions. Insurance companies have their interests, but you must focus on what’s best for you. By understanding what to expect, you can navigate this process effectively and ensure you’re not left stranded or financially burdened.
If you or a loved one were injured and need help with your insurance claim or renting a car, reach out to the car accident team with KNR. We will explain your options, collect the necessary documents, and recover the compensation you deserve.
Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free, no-risk consultation.
