If you’ve been in a car accident and your vehicle is undrivable or in the shop for repairs, you’ll likely need a rental car to keep your life moving. But how do you actually go about getting one - and who covers the cost?

Here’s a quick guide for getting a rental car after an accident in Texas:

Step 1: Report the Accident

Before anything else, you need to report the accident to your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company (if they were at fault). At the scene of the accident, make sure to gather:

• Names and contact info for all drivers involved
• Insurance information
• Police report (or accident report number)
• Photos of the scene and vehicle damage

As a rule of thumb, the faster you file a claim, the sooner your rental can be approved. If, during the process of gathering documentation, you realize there is an error on the police report or police didn’t show up on the scene at all, call us at McKinney Vos. We can take the lead on getting the report amended.

Step 2: Determine Who Is Paying for the Rental

Payment for rental car coverage generally comes down to fault. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance company should pay for your rental (but it only kicks in after they accept liability). If you’re at fault or waiting on liability, your rental will be covered only if you have rental reimbursement coverage in your policy.

If liability is unclear, you may need to pay upfront for the rental car and get reimbursed later.

Step 3: Get Rental Coverage Approved

Once liability is accepted (or your own coverage is confirmed), the insurance adjuster will authorize a rental directly with a rental car company or reimburse you for out-of-pocket rental expenses (keep your receipts!)

Before picking up the car, make sure to ask what daily limit is that they’ll cover (e.g., $30–$50/day) and how many days you’re allowed to keep the car. Also, clarify whether they will pay the rental company directly or reimburse you later for expenses.

Step 4: Pick Up Your Rental Car

When you go to pick up your rental car (or have it delivered to you), be prepared to provide the following information:

• A valid driver’s license
• A credit card (for incidental charges or security deposit)
• Proof of insurance

Step 5: Use the Rental While Your Car Is Repaired or Replaced

You can usually keep the rental until your car is fully repaired or your vehicle is declared a total loss (and you receive a settlement check). If you're using your own coverage, pay attention to the maximum time limit and daily dollar limit because anything over that will come out of your own pocket.

Contact Us With Questions

Getting a rental car after an accident isn’t automatic, but if you know the process, you can avoid delays and out-of-pocket surprises. If you're running into insurance delays or are unsure about who should pay for your rental, we can step in and help you fight for what you're owed. Contact our office at McKinney Vos PLLC for a free, no-commitment consultation.