Car accidents can lead to a tailspin of problems for those involved. Not only is there the immediate aftermath of the collision, but there can also be long-term issues that must be dealt with. The timeline for full recovery and settling the insurance claim can take months or longer. All the while, life will continue, and for most people in Texas, carrying on with life’s daily responsibilities requires you to have a car.

If your vehicle is too damaged to drive as a result of the accident or is out of commission for repairs, you’ll need a temporary replacement - and fast! How quickly that happens often depends on a few key factors. Here’s what can influence the typical timeline for getting a rental car after a car accident in Texas, and what you can do to speed things up.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Rental Car After a Car Accident?

In most cases, you can get a rental car within 1–3 days after an accident. The timeline depends on:

• Who’s at fault - If you are at fault or the only one involved in the accident, your policy should cover the rental car, and you would be reimbursed through the rental reimbursement coverage on your policy. If another driver is at fault, their insurance should cover your rental vehicle once they accept liability. If the fault is unclear or disputed, securing a rental car could take longer as it may mean waiting for the issue to be resolved.

• How fast the insurance claim is processed - The sooner the claim is filed, the sooner approval for a rental car can happen. Unfortunately, if the insurance company delays investigating or responding, your rental may be delayed too.

• Whether you have rental coverage - If you have rental reimbursement coverage on your insurance policy, you can often get a rental car immediately, even if liability hasn’t been settled yet.

Some of the biggest factors that influence rental car timelines after an accident are how quickly insurance responds and whether the fault is disputed. If the fault is unclear or the other driver’s insurance is slow to respond, you might be waiting a week or more.

Do You Have to Pay for the Rental Upfront?

When you go to pick up the rental car, it’s important to know about payment. Some rental companies require a credit card on file, even if insurance is paying. If you’re using your own rental reimbursement coverage, your insurer may pay the rental car company directly or reimburse you.

If you’re going through the at-fault driver’s insurance, you may have to pay the rental car company upfront and get reimbursed later, especially if liability hasn’t been accepted yet.

What to Do to Speed Things Up

Getting a rental car stat is critical to getting to work, school, appointments and navigating life’s other daily responsibilities. To that end, here are some things you can do to keep the process moving:

• File the insurance claim right away
• Provide all needed documents as requested (e.g., the police report, photos, contact info, etc.)
• Follow up with your legal representative for status updates
• If needed, rent a car out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement later (save your documentation!)

Need Help After a Car Accident? Call us at McKinney Vos

Dealing with insurance and rental car logistics is a literal headache. A personal injury lawyer can help coordinate with insurance companies, fight delays and get you back on the road faster - even if that means being in a rental car.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Texas, call us today at McKinney Vos PLLC.