If your vehicle was involved in an Augusta crash, you may not be able to drive your vehicle for some time, and as such, may need a rental vehicle. The average time it takes for an accident vehicle to be available again is 2 weeks. When the damage is below a certain threshold, you will need to have the vehicle repaired and the costs of the repairs will be covered by your car crash claim.
However, if the damage is extensive, an insurance company may declare your vehicle as totaled. This means that you will be required to give up the vehicle and receive a suitable amount based on its pre-crash market value. The insurance company may still take some time even when it ultimately declares a vehicle as totaled.
In both scenarios, you will be left without a vehicle for at least some period of time, two weeks on average. During this period, you will need to go to work, provide pick-and-drop to any school-going kids, and perform a number of other necessary daily tasks. Without your own vehicle, you will be forced to consider other alternatives.
Paying For a Rental Vehicle After the Crash
One alternative you may consider while your vehicle is being repaired or in the process of being declared totaled is to get a rental car. This is a particularly viable option if your insurance company agrees to cover the rental expenses.
If your car crash was the fault of another driver, you may be able to get the other driver’s insurer to cover you for the rental costs. This is because Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to personal injury cases.
If your insurer or that of the at-fault driver agrees to pay the expenses, it may follow one of the two arrangements. The company will either directly pay the rental car company. Or the insurer will ask you to pay the rental costs as out-of-pocket expenses and then pay you these expenses.
Sometimes, the insurance company may refuse to pay you for the rental costs. This will force you to get a rental vehicle on your own and pay the rent out of your own pocket. But all is not lost when this happens. When you ultimately file a car crash claim with the help of a good car accident lawyer, you may be able to force the insurer to pay the rental costs.
Getting the Rental Car
After a car accident claim, you can get a rental car on your own and then reach an agreement with the relevant insurance company. In some cases, the insurer will ask you to go to a rental car company of its choice.
When that is the case, your options may be limited. In general, the insurer is required to pay for the rental costs of a vehicle comparable to your damaged vehicle. However, the car company recommended by the insurer may not have many options or will deliberately offer a smaller or older vehicle in view of your insurance limitations. You will have to accept the vehicle until your actual vehicle is repaired or the insurer pays for the totaled vehicle.
A rental vehicle company will typically offer you the rental vehicle for an agreed-upon period. This period is typically based on the estimated amount of time the collision shop will take in bringing around your vehicle.
Once this period expires, the rental vehicle will ask you to return the vehicle. If your own vehicle is not repaired or ready by this time, you will need to ask the rental company to extend the rental period. The company will contact your insurer before approving this request.
When you go to receive the rental vehicle from the car company, it is important to take the requisite documents with you. These primarily include your driver’s license and insurance card. However, the rental company may also require your credit card details in some cases.
Hiring a Reliable Augusta Car Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered a car accident in Augusta and want your insurer or the at-fault driver’s insurance company to cover the rental costs, we can help you. Here at Ted Greve & Associates, we help car crash victims recover the full amount of compensatory damages from insurance companies. We help you file the claim, negotiate with the insurance company on fair terms, and speed up the recovery process. Contact us today to schedule a free session with our Augusta car accident lawyers.
