Do I get a rental car if someone hits me?

Your car insurance will pay for a rental car only if you added specific rental reimbursement coverage to your policy beforehand or if the other driver is at fault for an accident.

When Insurance Pays for a Rental Car

• Rental Reimbursement Coverage: If your own car is damaged in a covered claim (like an accident, storm, or theft) and you pay for this extra add-on, your insurer pays for a rental up to your daily and maximum limits (typically $30/day for up to 30 days).
• At-Fault Driver’s Insurance: If another driver causes the crash, their liability insurance should pay for your rental car, though waiting for their investigation can take time.

What Is Usually Not Covered

• Routine or Vacations: Policies do not cover rentals used for personal trips, vacations, or general use when your car is working fine.
• Extra Costs: Reimbursement usually excludes gas, security deposits, and optional counter insurance.
• Luxury Vehicles: Insurers generally cap rates, meaning you must pay out-of-pocket if you rent an exotic or luxury car that exceeds your daily limit.

Never admit fault, apologize, or downplay your injuries when speaking to an insurance adjuster after an accident.

Statements to Avoid

• "I'm sorry" or "It was my fault": Insurers treat apologies as a legal admission of liability, which can reduce or eliminate your compensation.
• "I'm fine" or "I'm not hurt": Adrenaline can mask severe conditions like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries that appear days later. Early statements that you are fine are used to deny later claims.
• Guesses or speculation: Never estimate speeds, distances, or timing. Stick strictly to objective facts you know for certain.
• Recorded statements: You can decline requests for a recorded interview until you consult legal counsel, as adjusters use these recordings to trap you in inconsistencies.

Safe Communication Guidelines

• Provide only basic facts like the date, time, location, and your contact or policy details.
• Refer the adjuster to a qualified Car Accident Lawyer to manage further discussions and protect your rights.

The person who signed the rental agreement is initially responsible for paying for damage to a rental car, though ultimate financial liability depends on fault, purchased waivers, and insurance coverage.

Primary Responsibility

• The Renter: Under the rental contract, you are legally responsible to the rental company for any damage, loss of use, or administrative fees, regardless of who caused the crash.
• The At-Fault Driver: If another driver caused the accident, their liability insurance is ultimately responsible for the costs. However, the rental company will still pursue you first, meaning you may need to seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver later.

How the Damage Gets Covered

• Rental Company Waivers: If you bought a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) at the counter, you are generally free from financial responsibility for physical damage to the car.
• Personal Auto Insurance: Your own auto insurance policy often extends collision and comprehensive coverage to a rental car. You will have to pay your deductible, and your insurer handles the rest. You can also check details like Progressive Rental Reimbursement Coverage to see how policies handle replacement vehicles.
• Credit Card Perks: Many travel credit cards offer secondary or primary rental car insurance coverage if you used that card to pay for the rental.
• Out of Pocket: If you declined waivers and have no personal auto insurance or credit card coverage, you must pay the repair costs directly.

Minor car damage is superficial, cosmetic harm that does not affect the car's structural frame, safety systems, or ability to drive.

Common Examples

• Paint scratches and scuffs: Surface-level marks that only touch the clear coat or top paint layer.
• Small door dings or bumper dents: Shallow depressions that do not crack the metal or bend the frame.
• Cracked glass: Minor chips or cracks on a windshield or windows that do not obstruct the driver's vision or shatter the glass.
• Broken lights: A cracked or smashed turn signal, headlight, or taillight lens.
• Punctured or flat tires: Damage limited to the tire itself rather than the wheel rim or alignment.

Key Characteristics

• Drivable: The car remains fully operable and safe to drive without needing a tow truck.
• Low Cost: Repairs generally cost under $1,000, though body shop prices can surprise you.
• No Airbags: Airbags do not deploy during the low-impact event.

Note: Seemingly minor cosmetic issues can sometimes hide expensive internal damage to sensors, radiators, or frame supports hidden beneath the plastic bumper.

You can request a replacement vehicle through your insurance claims agent or check your coverage options using resources like Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Steps to Get a Rental Car

• Call your insurer: Contact your insurance agent immediately to open or update a claim and ask about your rental options.
• Check your coverage: See if you have rental reimbursement coverage on your policy, which pays a set daily amount (e.g., $30 a day) for a limited time.
• Determine fault: If the other driver is at fault, their insurance company should pay for the rental, but you may have to wait until they accept liability.
• Use your own policy to speed it up: If the other driver delays or fault is disputed, you can use your own rental coverage right away; your insurer will later try to get the money back from the at-fault driver's insurance.
• Book the vehicle: Your insurance company will often set up direct billing with a rental agency like Enterprise.

Important Rules to Keep in Mind

• Out-of-pocket costs: Insurance usually does not pay for gas, mileage upgrades, or the rental company's security deposit.
• Requirements: You still need a valid driver's license and a major credit card for the rental company's security deposit.
• Limits: If your rental car costs more per day than your policy limit, you must pay the extra money yourself.