Who Pays For A Rental Car After Accident In Georgia?
Getting involved in an accident can be a stressful experience. While most car accidents are relatively minor, victims are still often left dealing with minor injuries as well as property damage. In the event that a car accident victim cannot use their personal vehicle while it is being repaired, it may be necessary to use a rental vehicle in the interim. However, rental vehicles can be expensive. Here, we want to discuss which party pays for rental cars in the aftermath of a vehicle accident.
Will the other driver’s insurance carrier cover a rental vehicle?
In the event you are involved in a car accident in Atlanta, the insurance carrier will typically provide compensation for a rental vehicle. At least, that is how it should work.
Ultimately, the person who caused your vehicle accident is going to be held liable for all expenses related to a vehicle crash in Georgia. This includes any rental fees for a vehicle you need while you wait to get your vehicle repaired. This usually means that you will have to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier to recover compensation.
This can present issues that become immediately apparent to the driver needing a rental. Often, insurance claims are not settled right away, but the rental vehicle is going to be needed as soon as possible. Insurance carriers are notorious for seeking ways to pay out less money, even if their policyholder is the one responsible for the crash.
Unfortunately, it may be necessary to pay for a rental vehicle out-of-pocket until you are able to successfully obtain coverage from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier for the crash. The cost of a rental should be included in your final settlement amount.
What happens after my claim for a rental is approved?
If you make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier for a rental vehicle, and they approve your claim, then the insurance carrier will typically work directly with a rental car company to get you your rental vehicle. You may be required to go pick the car up yourself, or on rare occasions, the car may be delivered to you.
However, you should not expect to be offered a top of the line vehicle. Remember, insurance carriers are looking at their bottom line in these cases, and you will typically be offered the smallest and cheapest vehicle the rental company has. However, the insurance carrier should provide you with a vehicle that is comparable to the one you were driving before the accident.
Will your insurance carrier cover the costs of a rental?
If you pay for rental car insurance as part of your personal auto insurance policy, then your insurance carrier will be able to cover the costs of a rental vehicle in the immediate aftermath of a crash. However, Please note that this is not a standard type of insurance on a Georgia car insurance policy. Georgia law does not require that drivers pay for rental vehicle coverage as part of their policy.
If you are interested in having this as part of your policy, the good news is that this type of coverage is relatively inexpensive and provides an invaluable service in the event you are involved in a crash. Rental vehicle coverage will pay for the costs of a rental vehicle regardless of whether or not you were at fault for the incident.