Who ends up paying for your rental car while your vehicle is getting repaired in New York depends upon several factors. If you have comprehensive insurance that includes car rentals, your insurance agency should cover the cost of a rental car.
If not, you will likely have to pay this cost out of pocket. However, there are potential options for getting the money you spend reimbursed, depending on the specifics of your situation.
When Your Insurance Pays
If you pay for a potential rental car as part of your insurance plan, then the insurance company will cover the cost of renting a car while your vehicle is being repaired in New York. However, there are often limits to how much the insurance company will cover.
Your plan could pay up to $30 a day with up to $900 total. That means that if repairs are extremely complicated and your car remains in the shop for over a month, you could end up having to pay the daily bill once the limit on your policy has been exceeded.
Additionally, depending on the specifics of your policy, you may have to pay the rental agency directly and get reimbursed for the money you spent after the fact.
When You Pay
If you do not have any rental car coverage on your insurance policy, you may simply be out of luck. If your car was damaged by an act of nature or if you were responsible for the accident that led your car to the repair shop, you will have to pay the full cost of any rental car that you require to hold you over until your vehicle is repaired.
When Another Party Pays
If your car was damaged as the result of an accident caused by another party, they may have to pay the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop. However, this payment will likely come in the form of reimbursement once you have reached a settlement agreement or won a ruling in court.
At the time of rental, you will likely have to pay the rental agency directly. You will then have to hope you can recover compensation to cover the charge after you file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or file a lawsuit against them.
Car rental is one of the many damages you may be able to claim in a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver after an accident. Unfortunately, it can take quite a while to recover this money. There are loans you can take out to cover costs while you are fighting a legal battle that can help keep you afloat until your big payday.
Hire a Car Accident Attorney Today
If you don’t have rental car coverage as part of your insurance policy, the best way to ensure that you don’t get stuck with the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is in the shop is to hire a car accident lawyer. If you have been in an accident where another party was at fault, renting a vehicle is likely just one of many costs that you will face.
A car accident attorney can help create and execute a plan for holding the liable party responsible. That way, you won’t be stuck with the expenses you can’t afford. Your attorney will take over every aspect of your legal case. This way, you can feel confident that your finances are in good hands and turn your attention to recovering from your injuries.