The cost and hassle of car accidents are often extortionate and confusing. It’s even more infuriating if that crash wasn’t actually your fault. You’re left with the immediate damages to cover, and no car while it gets repaired. The only choice is to rent a courtesy car, while yours is in the shop. If the crash wasn’t your fault, it’s not fair that you have to pay for a courtesy car. So, you can hire a free rental car, paid for by the guilty party’s insurance company. That courtesy car is all yours until your old car is fixed.
The stress and cost involved in a car accident is already high enough. You may have injuries that require medical attention, and traumatic stress from the incident itself. The last thing you want is the worry and hassle of finding a new courtesy car. A good rental company will take all of those problems out of your hands, by providing you with a free rental car. If it sounds too good to be true, don’t worry, there really aren’t any catches. The costs are covered by the party at fault, and here’s how it all works.
Why can I get a free rental car after a crash?
You can get free access to a courtesy rental car after an accident because you need a quick replacement. You don’t want this crash to impact your everyday life any more than it has to. The reason it’s free is because the accident was not your fault. You didn’t cause the collision, so you don’t deserve to pay any of the repercussions. By law, the offending party must cover all the costs of liability involved with the accident. That will include the cost of repair to your car. It will include any health care costs, and any long-term injury problems. And, in this case, it will cover the cost of hiring a courtesy car while your car is off the road. Simple!
Who pays for it?
The entire deal is paid for by the insurance company of the guilty party. By providing the rental company with the contact details of the insurance company, they’ll chase them for payment. If there is some doubt over the liability, the process isn’t always instantaneous. In this case, you may need to pay the rental price up front. But, don’t worry. Once the liability is settled, the rental company will send a letter of demand to the third party insurer. Once they get the money back, you’ll be instantly reimbursed.
How does it work?
One rental company that prides itself on providing free courtesy cars is Acorn Rentals. As a driver, all you need to do is head to their ‘apply’ page, and make your first application. If the liability has already been quickly settled, the process is easy. You’ll get approval, and they’ll arrange delivery and collection immediately. As we explained before, if there is doubt over liability, it may take a little longer. It’s worth noting that you are also entitled to a free courtesy car if it was your fault and your insurance covers a replacement vehicle. Simply drop the rental company a copy of your insurance policy when you apply.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for the inconvenience.
