Auto Insurance Claims: How to get car rental reimbursement for sitting on friends car ?

Question
QUESTION: My car insurance has a car rental allowance. I have had my car repaired and asked my friend drive me to go to work while paying my friend. Should my car insurance reimburse me for the payments to my friend or I must incur actual car rental expense? How can I get a reimbursement without a car rental receipt? Thanks for your reply.


ANSWER: Hi Ray,

In most cases no. The rental coverage on your policy will only generally pay when you actually rent a car. However, you should call your insurance company and ask them to reimburse you for what you paid your friend. The worst they can say is no.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have two follow up questions.
1) Should the car rental company send a car to my home, repair shop or I must get it by myself?
2) The car rental has maximum allowance from my car insurance policy. Is the insured obligated to locate the car rental within the maximum allowance or provide me with the car rental if I am unable to find a car rental within the maximum allowance?


Answer
Hi Ray,

You should call your insurance company and ask them what rental agency they work with. Most insurance companies get discounts that are passed along with you. There may still be a difference in the cost between what your policy pays and the actuall cost. You will have to pay the difference. You should ask the rental agency how you are to get the car. Enterprise rent a car will usuall come to pick you up either at your home, job or the body shop. But you have to make an appointment in advance.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh