Find a Rental Car After a Car Accident

The Bottom Line

If the other driver caused the accident, their insurance should pay for your rental car while yours is being repaired. You do not need to wait for a claims decision to get a rental -- contact the at-fault driver's insurer and ask them to set up direct billing with a rental company. If they refuse or delay, use your own rental reimbursement coverage (if you have it) and seek reimbursement later.

How Rental Car Coverage Works After an Accident

Getting a rental car after an accident is not as simple as walking into a rental office. How it works depends on who was at fault and what insurance coverage is available.

If the Other Driver Was at Fault

The at-fault driver's liability insurance includes coverage for your "loss of use" -- meaning they should pay for a rental car while you cannot use your own vehicle.

Here is how to get it set up:

1. Contact the at-fault driver's insurance company and open a property damage claim
2. Ask for direct billing -- the insurer sets up an account with a rental car company so you do not pay out of pocket
3. Pick up your rental at the rental location the insurer coordinates, or choose your own rental company

If the insurer is slow to set up direct billing, you can rent a car on your own and submit receipts for reimbursement. Keep the rental reasonable -- a vehicle comparable to yours at a standard daily rate.

If You Were at Fault

Your own policy's rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental. This is an optional coverage that many drivers add for a few dollars per month. Check your policy -- the coverage page will show a daily limit and a maximum total.

Common rental reimbursement limits:

• $30 per day / $900 maximum (basic)
• $40 per day / $1,200 maximum (mid-level)
• $50 per day / $1,500 maximum (higher-level)

If you did not purchase this coverage, you pay for the rental yourself.

How Long You Can Keep the Rental

This is one of the most common disputes after an accident.

While Your Car Is Being Repaired

You are entitled to a rental for the reasonable repair period. This means from the date of the accident (or when you drop your car off) until repairs are complete. If the repair takes longer because of parts delays or supplement approvals, the rental coverage should continue.

If Your Car Is Totaled

Rental coverage for totaled vehicles is more limited. The at-fault insurer typically covers your rental until a few days after they make a settlement offer -- not until you accept the offer or buy a new car. This is usually 2 to 5 days after the total loss offer.

If you dispute the total loss value and negotiations continue, the insurer may stop paying for the rental. This creates pressure to accept a low offer.

Choosing a Rental Car Company

The three major rental companies with insurance replacement programs are:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise is the largest provider of insurance replacement rentals. They have the most neighborhood locations (not just airports) and are set up to work directly with virtually every insurance company. Their free pickup and delivery service is especially helpful when you do not have another way to get to the rental office.

Hertz

Hertz also participates in insurance replacement programs and has locations across NC. They typically have a good selection of vehicle classes.

National Car Rental

National is part of the same parent company as Enterprise and also offers insurance replacement programs, though with fewer neighborhood locations.

You are not required to use the rental company your insurance company suggests. However, using a company with an established insurance replacement program makes the billing process smoother.

What to Know Before Picking Up Your Rental

• Bring your insurance claim number -- the rental company needs it to set up direct billing
• Ask about the approved vehicle class -- make sure you get a vehicle comparable to yours
• Decline the rental company's optional insurance if the rental is being billed to an insurance claim (the claim already covers the rental)
• Take photos of the rental car before driving off the lot, noting any existing damage
• Ask about mileage limits -- most insurance replacement rentals include unlimited mileage, but confirm

What If the Insurance Company Will Not Provide a Rental?

If the at-fault driver's insurer refuses to set up a rental or delays unreasonably:

1. Document the refusal in writing -- Send an email or letter confirming their refusal and the date
2. Rent a car yourself at a reasonable daily rate and keep all receipts
3. Submit receipts for reimbursement as part of your property damage claim
4. Include rental costs in any demand letter or settlement negotiation -- loss of use damages are legitimate

If the delay is because fault is disputed, consider using your own rental reimbursement coverage while liability is being sorted out, then seek reimbursement from the at-fault insurer once fault is established.

Find a Rental Car Location Near You

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for a rental car after an accident in NC?▾

If the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay for your rental car under the "loss of use" portion of your property damage claim. You are entitled to a rental for a reasonable period while your car is being repaired or until you receive a total loss settlement. If you were at fault, your own rental reimbursement coverage (if you purchased it) pays for the rental. Without that coverage, you pay out of pocket. Either way, there are typically daily rate limits and maximum coverage periods, so check with the paying insurer before renting.

How long will insurance pay for a rental car after an accident?▾

If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should cover your rental for a "reasonable" period. For repairable vehicles, this means from the date of the accident until repairs are complete. For total loss vehicles, coverage typically ends a few days after the insurance company makes a settlement offer -- usually 2 to 5 days after the offer, whether or not you have accepted it. If you have your own rental reimbursement coverage, it typically has a per-day limit ($30 to $50 per day) and a maximum total payout ($900 to $1,500). Once you hit either limit, coverage stops.

What kind of rental car am I entitled to after an accident?▾

You are entitled to a vehicle that is comparable to what you normally drive -- but "comparable" does not mean identical. If you drive a mid-size sedan, you should get a mid-size sedan, not a subcompact. If you drive a truck or SUV and need that type of vehicle for work, you have a stronger argument for a similar replacement. Insurance companies will push back on luxury upgrades. If the rental company does not have your vehicle class available, you should not have to accept a significant downgrade. Document any issues with the insurer in writing.

Can I get a rental car if my vehicle is totaled?▾

Yes, but the coverage period is limited. If the other driver was at fault, their insurance should provide rental coverage from the date of the accident until a reasonable time after they make their total loss settlement offer -- typically 2 to 5 days after the offer. The idea is that you have a few days to accept the settlement and purchase a replacement vehicle. If negotiations drag on because you dispute the total loss value, the insurer may stop paying for the rental. If you have your own rental reimbursement coverage, it covers up to its policy limits regardless of total loss status.

What is an insurance replacement program at a rental car company?▾

An insurance replacement program is a special rental arrangement between rental car companies and insurance carriers. Enterprise, Hertz, and National all offer these programs. The key benefit is direct billing -- the insurance company pays the rental company directly, so you do not have to pay upfront and seek reimbursement. The rental company handles the paperwork with the insurer. Enterprise is the largest provider of insurance replacement rentals and has the most neighborhood locations, which is why many insurance companies direct claimants there. You are not required to use the insurer's suggested rental company.