How to Get the Other Insurance Company to Pay for a Car Rental After an Accident
Approximately six million auto accidents occur each year in the U.S., according to the Edgar Snyder and Associates' website. An auto accident is a stressful event, but having to fight the other person's insurer for reimbursement of car-rental costs associated with the accident does not lessen the stress. Insurance companies try to keep costs down, and rental fees is often the first area they reduce or deny. Fortunately, knowing your rights and taking the appropriate precautions can help you receive reimbursement for car-rental costs.
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Instructions
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Write down the other person's information, including complete name, name of insurance company, policy number and the claim's department phone number. Get the agent's name and phone number as well.
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Contact the other person's insurance carrier. Provide the details regarding any injuries or property damage, but stick to the facts. The police report will indicate who caused the accident. The insurer will rely on the police report to determine liability.
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Write a letter to the at-fault person's insurer. Include the claim number and the other person's policy number. Inform the insurer of your rights and expectations. Besides expecting the company to pay for all reasonable expenses associated with the accident, it's your right to expect reimbursement for rental-car costs.
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Make sure the insurer accepts liability. Have the insurer either fax or email a written authorization to you.
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Pick a rental car similar to your own vehicle to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. Insurance companies often limit how much they'll pay per day on a rental vehicle. If the daily rent on the car you choose is higher, you will have to pay the difference.
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Request a written denial of rental reimbursement from the other person's insurer. Despite your best efforts to keep rental rates low, if the insurer insists on denying reimbursement of rental fees, the company must notify you in writing.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact your insurer even if you feel that you did not cause the accident.
If you know that your auto policy covers damages to rental cars, decline a collision damage waiver from the car-rental company. It will lower your daily rate.
You should receive reimbursement for any expenses involved in repairing your car, including car-rental expenses.
Be careful. If the other person tells you that he's going to move his car out of the way first, at least write down the license plate number in case he decides to take off.
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