Can't Afford to Fix Your Car After an Accident in NC: Options and Next Steps

The Bottom Line

If your car is damaged and you cannot afford repairs, your options depend on whether the other driver was at fault and what insurance coverage is available. If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance should pay for repairs and a rental car. If they are uninsured or underinsured, your own collision or uninsured motorist coverage may apply. If you have no applicable coverage, you still have options including payment plans with repair shops, using aftermarket parts to reduce costs, and pursuing the at-fault driver directly. The most important immediate step is figuring out what coverage exists -- then deciding how to use it.

Your Situation

Your car is damaged -- maybe it is undrivable, maybe it runs but has significant body damage. You need it for work, for getting the kids to school, for getting to doctor appointments. But you cannot afford the repair bill out of pocket, and the insurance process is taking too long or is not going the way you expected.

Here is how to work through this step by step.

Step 1: Identify What Insurance Coverage Applies

Before spending money you may not need to spend, determine which insurance sources are available:

If the other driver was at fault:

• Their liability insurance pays for your vehicle repairs and a rental car
• You file a claim against their policy (third-party claim)
• You do not pay a deductible on a third-party claim

If you were at fault or fault is disputed:

• Your collision coverage (if you have it) pays for repairs minus your deductible
• Common deductibles are $500 or $1,000

If the other driver is uninsured:

• Your uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage may apply
• Your collision coverage pays regardless of the other driver's insurance status
• You may need to pay your deductible upfront and seek reimbursement later

If you have no collision coverage and the at-fault driver is uninsured:

• This is the hardest situation -- your options are more limited (see below)

Step 2: Get Transportation While Your Car Is Being Fixed

If your car is undrivable, you need to get around while repairs happen.

Rental car through the at-fault driver's insurance: If the other driver caused the accident, their insurer should provide rental car coverage. Request this immediately when you file the claim.

Rental reimbursement on your own policy: If you have this coverage, you can rent a car and submit receipts for reimbursement up to your policy limits.

If no rental coverage is available:

• Ask a family member or friend to borrow a vehicle temporarily
• Use rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) for essential trips -- keep receipts, as transportation costs may be recoverable in your claim
• Check whether your employer offers any transportation assistance
• Contact your local transit authority for public transportation options
• Some communities have nonprofit transportation assistance programs for people in crisis

For a detailed guide, see our article on transportation options after an accident.

Step 3: Handle the Repair Estimate Dispute

One of the most common problems: the insurance company's repair estimate is lower than what the repair shop says it will actually cost.

Why this happens: Insurance adjusters often write initial estimates based on visible damage without disassembling the vehicle. The repair shop may find additional damage once they start working. This is normal and handled through a process called supplementing.

How supplementing works:

1. The insurance adjuster writes an initial estimate based on visible damage
2. You authorize the repair shop to begin work based on the initial estimate
3. The shop disassembles the vehicle and discovers additional damage
4. The shop photographs the additional damage and submits a supplement to the insurer
5. The adjuster reviews and approves (or negotiates) the supplement
6. The insurer issues additional payment for the supplemental damage

You should not have to pay the difference between the initial estimate and the actual repair cost if the additional damage is accident-related. If the insurer refuses to pay a supplement, escalate to a supervisor or file a complaint with the NC Department of Insurance.

Step 4: Reduce Repair Costs If Needed

If you are paying out of pocket or need to keep costs down:

Aftermarket and used parts: NC law allows insurance companies to specify aftermarket (non-OEM) or used parts in repair estimates. These parts are typically 30 to 50% cheaper than OEM parts. If you are paying out of pocket, aftermarket parts can significantly reduce the repair bill without compromising safety for most components. However, for structural and safety components, insist on OEM parts.

Get multiple repair estimates: Get at least 2 to 3 estimates from different shops. Prices vary significantly, and some shops may find ways to achieve a quality repair at a lower cost.

Payment plans: Many repair shops offer payment plans or accept credit cards. Ask before assuming you need to pay the full amount upfront.

Prioritize safety repairs: If you cannot afford a complete repair, at least fix what is needed for the vehicle to be safe and legal to drive -- structural damage, lights, mirrors, and anything affecting drivability. Cosmetic repairs can wait.

Step 5: If No Insurance Covers Your Repairs

If you have no collision coverage, no uninsured motorist coverage, and the at-fault driver has no insurance, you are in the toughest spot. Your options:

Sue the at-fault driver: You can file a lawsuit in small claims court (up to $10,000 in NC) or district court. However, collecting a judgment from someone with no insurance and potentially no significant assets can be very difficult.

Negotiate with the at-fault driver directly: Some uninsured drivers will agree to pay for repairs in installments to avoid a lawsuit. Get any agreement in writing.

Check for other coverage: If the accident involved a commercial vehicle, the company may have separate insurance. If it was a hit-and-run, your UM coverage may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the other driver's insurance pay for my car repairs directly?▾

The at-fault driver's insurance typically pays for repairs by issuing payment to you or directly to the repair shop. However, they will first send an adjuster to inspect your vehicle and create their own repair estimate. If their estimate is lower than what the repair shop quotes, you may need to negotiate the difference. You have the right to choose your own repair shop in NC -- you do not have to use a shop in the insurer's preferred network. If there is a dispute over the repair amount, your shop can submit a supplement showing additional damage found during disassembly.

How long can I get a rental car after my accident in NC?▾

If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should cover a rental car for a reasonable period while your vehicle is being repaired. Reasonable typically means the actual repair time plus a few days for inspection and pickup. For a total loss, rental coverage usually extends for 2 to 4 weeks after the total loss declaration while you find a replacement vehicle. If you have rental reimbursement on your own policy, check the daily and total limits -- common limits are $30 to $50 per day with a maximum of $900 to $1,500.

What if the other driver has no insurance and I can't afford repairs?▾

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, check whether you have collision coverage on your own policy -- this pays for your vehicle repairs regardless of who caused the accident, minus your deductible. If you do not have collision coverage, check for uninsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD), which is included in NC uninsured motorist coverage. If you have neither, your options are limited to suing the uninsured driver directly, though collecting may be difficult if they have no assets.

Can I choose my own repair shop or does the insurance company pick one?▾

In North Carolina, you have the right to choose your own repair shop. The insurance company may recommend shops in their preferred network (called direct repair programs), but they cannot require you to use them. That said, if you choose your own shop and the repair estimate is higher than the insurer's estimate, you may need to negotiate the difference. A reputable independent shop will work with the insurance adjuster to resolve estimate discrepancies through the supplement process.