After a car accident, your car may need to be repaired. The repair may take only a day or two, or in more serious car crashes, the repair may take weeks or longer. How will you get around while your car is in the shop? What transportation options will be available to you? This will likely become one of your biggest concerns once you find yourself without your car.
How this question is answered will depend on your specific situation. This article will explore the different possibilities.
If you are not at fault for the accident, you should be able to get rental coverage from the other (or “at fault”) driver’s insurance. In Oregon, the law allows you to recover for loss of use of your vehicle. See Graf v. Don Rasmussen Co. 39 Or App 311, 592 P.2d 250 for more information about the specific court findings. How quickly or easily this happens will depend on the at-fault insurance company accepting liability. If they agree with you that their insured was at fault, they will likely work with you on arranging for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired. This arrangement can be managed directly by them or by you. Often, you will be advised to contact a rental company they work with and provide the claim information to set up your rental. The rental company will bill the insurance company directly. The rental coverage will almost always have a daily dollar limit affording you a certain class of vehicles. The vehicle you rent should be comparable in class to your damaged vehicle. If you decide to “upgrade” to a different vehicle, you will likely be responsible for the price difference.
Alternatively, instead of direct billing, some adverse insurance companies will require you to make your own rental arrangements and reimburse you after your rental period is over. Again, even in this scenario, the amount of rental reimbursement will be limited, so make sure you understand the daily limits the other insurance will be paying.
If you are at fault for the accident, you may or may not be covered for a car rental. If you purchased rental reimbursement coverage through your car insurance policy, you will be covered. However, this coverage is optional and is not included with the mandatory coverage of Oregon auto insurance policies. Review your insurance policy carefully or call your insurance agent to see if you have this coverage. Your car accident attorney will also be able to review your insurance policy and answer this question.
Every accident is unique and often complicated. The only way to be sure you receive all the benefits you are entitled to is by working with an experienced car accident attorney. Our firm has been helping car accident victims for over 50 years. Contact us for a free consultation to learn your rights!
Other questions you may have after an accident.
Do I call the other driver’s insurance company to report the accident?
Do I file a claim with my own insurance company?
Should I get medical treatment?
Who will pay for the damage to the car?
Will I get a settlement for my injuries?
