Who Will Fix Your Car or Get You a Rental Car if You are in a Florida Car Accident?

You have been in an accident and your car is damaged. The accident is not your fault. You do not have collision coverage. If that is the case, the other driver who caused the damage is responsible under their property damage coverage. The other driver’s company may try to call you to get your version of the accident and tell you that once they talk to you they can decide whether to pay for your damaged car. We suggest that you get a lawyer involved before you talk to the other insurance company about your car. If you don’t want to hire a lawyer before you speak to an insurance company, be very careful how you answer their questions. Give them as little information as possible and do not let them record your statement. Most insurance companies will pay for your repairs up to the actual cash value of the car.

Actual cash value is an amount that is determined by an insurance company database that is different than Kelley Blue Book or NADA book value. It is hard to fight them on the numbers, but most will negotiate a little to take into account low mileage or accessories. If the repairs exceed what the car is worth, the company will only pay up to that amount. Remember that, many times, the value of your car may not be equal to your loan payoff amount, and you will remain responsible for the rest unless you obtained a coverage called gap coverage. Ask your insurance agent about gap coverage.

If you get into a dispute with an insurance company about the repair amount or total loss amount, they will likely tell you that you will become responsible for storage charges after a certain date. Be careful as these charges can add up quickly.

If the accident is the other person’s fault and your car is out of use, you can ask the other insurance company for a rental car. You will likely get a budget car that costs about $20.00 a day. You can argue for a similar vehicle, but they will likely deny your request. Unless they preauthorize through a company like Enterprise, you will have to pay the bill and send it in for reimbursement. You will likely need a credit card to get a rental car. If the accident is your fault and you do not have rental car coverage, you will not be able to have an insurance company pay for a rental vehicle.

If you have collision coverage, you can deal with your own company subject to a deductible. The same rules apply. It is usually easier to deal with your own company whether the accident is or is not your fault. If not your fault, your company will sue to get your deductible back later. Contact us (888) 435-2465, e-mail us or fill out the consultation form to the right for any questions regarding who will fix your car or how to get a rental vehicle.