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Asked: Jan 22, 2008 - 11:20 AM

Status: Closed

Car Rentals from Insurance Companies

I recall a few car rentals I received paid for my someone else's insurance company in my lifetime due to others' careless negligent driving. Since the accident was the other parties fault, of course their insurance company should provide you with a rental vehicle while your car is getting repaired/fixed/brought back to life.

I've noticed that it is always a hassle even with supposedly direct billing (it's not a true direct account), and getting them to pay for the rental seems to require a little assertiveness, pushing, shoving, and determination.

However, shouldn't an insurance company be obligated to loan you a "like-quality vehicle?" Everytime I've gotten a rental, it has been far less than equivalent quality, cost, comfort, and simply less car than I had before. For instance, the last time my car had to go in for repairs it was a 2003 Honda Accord LX V6 Coupe. First, they give me a 4 cylinder Malibu Classic, hardly comparable in any way, shape, or form, not even close. Second, I got a Buick LeSabre (hardly comparable, but at least it had a V6 engine like my Accord did). Secondly, even with that lesser car they didn't want to pay for the difference in cost from the Malibu switching to the LeSabre. I informed them that Enterprise claimed it was actually still 1 or 2 levels classified under my Accord V6. Still not equal, and I should get a like-vehicle. They backed-off of their request for me to partially pay the bill, and paid it themselves.

What is the rule on this?

In Car Insurance > Insurance Claims
4 answers - 77 days ago

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mr_shiftright

Date: Jan 22, 2008
Time: 02:35 PM

The rule is the fine print in your insurance policy, which of course I can't see---but read that carefully and if it doesn't specify what type of rental you get, then you get what you get. Of course you can complain about it, but whatever is in the contract is the binding obligation IMO.

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andres3

Date: Jan 22, 2008
Time: 02:51 PM

The problem isn't with my rental insurance policy, the problem is with the at-fault driver's insurance company. Why should my company have to pay for a rental car when it's the other companies incompentent driver that caused the damage?

I know my insurance company along with all in CA just give you daily rates you buy.... so $20/day for 30 days, or $30/day for 30 days. Pretty simple. But again, I'm not buying or paying for the other guy... so how does that work?

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autoexpert4u

Date: Feb 25, 2008
Time: 03:03 PM

It would depend on the particular states requirements if they are responsible for a like kind car or just necessary transportation. In Oregon they do not have to give you a comparable vehicle unless it would impact your job or buisness.

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choiceaz

Date: Jun 11, 2008
Time: 06:42 PM

I am in insurance and that's been my understanding that it's the job of the insurance company to give you reliable transportation. I don't think they are under obligation to supply you with a hummer because yours was out of commission. phoenix arizona insurance

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