What Does Rental Reimbursement Cover?

Rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim. If your car is in the shop for two weeks following an accident, this coverage keeps you mobile by paying for a rental vehicle up to your policy's daily and total limits.

How rental reimbursement works

After a covered collision or comprehensive claim, you rent a vehicle and your insurer reimburses the cost — typically up to a daily limit like $30, $40, or $50 per day, with a maximum total per claim of $900 to $1,500. Coverage begins when your car enters the repair shop and ends when repairs are complete or the maximum is reached. If your vehicle is totaled, coverage typically lasts until the claim is settled, up to the policy maximum.

What it does and does not cover

• Covered: The daily rental cost of a vehicle after a collision or comprehensive claim on your own car.
• Not covered: Rental costs when your car is in the shop for mechanical repairs, routine maintenance, or warranty work. The breakdown must be from a covered insurance event.
• Not covered: Upgrades beyond a comparable vehicle. If your policy provides $40 per day, that covers a standard sedan — not an SUV upgrade.

Why this coverage matters

Auto repairs after an accident take an average of one to three weeks. If you need your car to get to work, take your kids to school, or run essential errands, going without transportation for that long is a real hardship. Renting a car out of pocket for two weeks could cost $500 to $1,000 or more. Rental reimbursement coverage costs just $20 to $60 per year — a fraction of what a single rental period would cost.

When the at-fault driver pays

If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should pay for your rental. But that process can take time — days or even weeks — while fault is being determined. Having your own rental reimbursement coverage lets you get a rental immediately without waiting for the other insurer to accept liability.

What Truscott recommends

Rental reimbursement is inexpensive and solves a real problem. We recommend it for anyone who depends on their vehicle daily. At Truscott, we include it in most auto policy recommendations because the cost is minimal and the convenience is significant. Request a Truscott coverage review and we will add this coverage if it is not already on your policy.