Will My Insurance Cover the Cost of Renting a Car After an Accident?

Many insured drivers are surprised to find out that their auto insurance does not automatically cover the cost of a replacement rental car after an accident. Since the average car is in the repair shop for two weeks after an accident, it can cost as much as $500 to rent a replacement car. However, some insured drivers pay little or nothing to rent a car because of an inexpensive but often overlooked option known as Rental Reimbursement.

Rental Reimbursement insurance covers the cost of renting a car while your car is being repaired or while you shop for a replacement and is available for as little as $1 or $2 a month with almost every auto insurance policy.

Rental Reimbursement Insurance is bypassed frequently by those who believe they will not have a car accident or those focused solely on paying the cheapest premium. However, the cost of a replacement rental car adds up quickly, so even if you don't have an accident for eight or nine years, the coverage pays for itself when you need it most.