If you’ve been shopping for car insurance in Raleigh, NC, you’ve likely come across rental reimbursement coverage as an option. 

But what exactly is it, and do you really need it? The short answer is yes—and for good reasons. 

Rental reimbursement coverage ensures that you’re not left scrambling for transportation while your car is in the shop after an accident. If you’re unsure about adding this to your policy, this article will give you all the information about rental reimbursement to help you make an informed decision. 

We’re breaking down what it is exactly, what it covers and how much it will cost.

What Is Rental Reimbursement Coverage? 

Suppose you get into an accident, and your vehicle is damaged, and you have collision or comprehensive coverage as part of your auto policy. Great! In that case, the insurance company will pay to repair it. 

The average duration for a car repair after a collision is 11 days. This means that you will not have access to your car. Will you need transportation? 

Rental reimbursement coverage will pay the cost of your rental car, up to the limits of the policy.

How Does Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage Work?

If your car is damaged in a collision and needs repairs, rental reimbursement coverage allows you to rent a vehicle while your car is being fixed. 

Your insurance company will coordinate the rental, and the coverage will pay for it up to the limits specified in your policy. 

This way, you won’t be left without transportation during the repair period.

What Happens if Fault is Disputed?

If you and the other driver don’t agree on who’s at fault after an accident, things can become more complicated. 

However, if you have rental reimbursement coverage, you can contact your insurance company to arrange for a rental car right away. Later, if it’s determined that the other driver was at fault, your insurer will work with their insurance company to recover the costs.

Without rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll need to wait and see if you can be reimbursed for the cost of a rental car. If it’s decided that the accident was your fault, you’ll have to cover the rental expenses yourself. 

If the other driver is found to be at fault, you can seek reimbursement from their insurance company for the rental car costs you’ve already paid.

Why Do You Need Rental Reimbursement Coverage?

There are numerous advantages to having rental reimbursement coverage on your auto policy. This is why, at the Craig-Peterson Agency, we encourage you to get this coverage. The advantages are:

What Does Rental Reimbursement Typically Cover?

Rental reimbursement typically covers the cost of renting a car from an approved rental agency while your vehicle is in the shop.

This coverage can also extend to scenarios where you need a rental car for a certain number of days or up to a specific dollar amount, which will be outlined in your policy.

How Much Rental Reimbursement Coverage Do I Need?

Like other types of insurance, rental reimbursement coverage comes with limits. Policies usually have both a daily limit and a total claim limit. 

The daily limit is the maximum amount your insurer will pay each day for a rental vehicle, so any extra costs will come out of your pocket.

The total claim limit is the highest amount your insurer will cover for each claim, which could either be a set dollar amount (e.g., $800) or a time limit (e.g., 30 days). If you need a rental car for a long time, you may quickly hit these limits. Some insurance companies offer various options for coverage limits, while others may only provide one.

To figure out how much coverage you need, consider rental car rates in your area and how critical access to a vehicle is for you. If you only drive occasionally, you might not need much coverage. 

However, if you rely on your car for daily commuting, you’ll want to ensure your rental reimbursement coverage provides enough protection to keep you on the road without interruptions.

How Long Will Insurance Pay For A Rental Car After An Accident?

Rental reimbursement will typically cover a rental car for the duration of your vehicle’s repair, but this is subject to the terms of your policy. Most policies set limits, either by the number of days you can have a rental or by a maximum dollar amount.

For example, your coverage might allow for up to 30 days of car rental or $900 in rental fees—whichever comes first. It’s important to check your specific policy for these details.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage Limits

Every policy has coverage limits, so it’s essential to understand what yours includes. Typical limits are based on a daily dollar amount (for example, $30 per day) and a total maximum amount (for example, $900). 

Make sure your limits fit your needs, especially if you drive a more expensive vehicle that might require a higher-cost rental.

Is There A Deductible For Rental Reimbursement Coverage?

Unlike collision or comprehensive coverage, rental reimbursement coverage does not usually require you to pay a deductible. This means you won’t need to worry about upfront costs when getting a rental vehicle.

Are you a Raleigh, NC, resident looking for auto insurance with useful coverage add-ons? Contact Craig Insurance Group today.

Rental Reimbursement Coverage FAQs

Becoming an independent driver is a milestone for many teenagers in Durham and Raleigh, NC. It’s exciting to watch your teen gain independence, but with that excitement comes the responsibility of securing the right auto insurance. 

The good news? We’ve made it easy for you with three simple steps to get affordable auto insurance for your teen driver.

1. Customize Affordable Car Insurance For Your Teen

To lower the cost of insuring your teenage driver, ask your agent about these discounts:

Good Student Discount

If your teen maintains good grades, they may be eligible for a discount. Insurance companies often reward academic achievement with lower premiums.

Driver Training Discount

Teens who complete a certified driver training course may qualify for savings. This shows insurance companies your teen is committed to being a responsible driver.

Student Away At School Discount

If your teen is away at college and only drives when home for holidays, you may be able to get a reduced rate.

Discounts Based On Safe Driving Habits

Many insurers offer discounts for using apps or devices that monitor safe driving. This is a great way to reinforce good habits while also reducing your premium.

Other Options To Reduce Young Adult Insurance Premiums

Talk to your agent about additional options like increasing deductibles or adjusting coverage levels to better fit your budget without sacrificing protection.

2. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

One of the easiest ways to save on your teen’s auto insurance is to bundle it with your home or other auto policies. Bundling your policies doesn’t just offer financial savings, though. It also simplifies your insurance management by consolidating everything with one company.

Plus, if you already have a good relationship with your insurance provider, they’ll often offer extra perks or customer loyalty benefits when you bundle additional coverage for your teen.

3. Add Your Teen To Your Existing Policy

Beyond cost savings, adding your teen to your policy ensures they have the same level of coverage that you and other family members have access to. This would include coverages liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. 

Plus, most insurance companies offer a broader range of discounts, such as family plans or loyalty rewards, which can further lower your premium.

Keep in mind that while your rates may increase with a new teen driver on the policy, adding them to your existing plan is still generally less expensive than starting a separate policy from scratch. 

Speak with your agent at Craig-Peterson Agency to see how much you can save by adding your teen to your policy and ask about any additional discounts available for multi-car families or safe driving habits.

Other Things To Know About Car Insurance For Teenage Drivers

When it comes to car insurance for teenage drivers, there are a few important factors to consider that could impact your premium and coverage options:

How Much Is Car Insurance For Your Teen?

Car insurance premiums for teenage drivers are typically higher than for more experienced drivers, and this is because insurance companies consider teens to be high-risk. Due to their lack of experience and higher likelihood of being involved in accidents, teenage drivers are statistically more likely to file claims, which drives up their insurance costs.

In North Carolina, the rates for teen drivers can vary depending on factors like where you live, the type of vehicle they drive, and the coverage options you select. While this might seem daunting, there are several strategies to reduce the overall cost:

• Encourage safe driving habits: Many insurers offer discounts if your teen uses telematics devices or apps that track and report safe driving behaviors.
• Take advantage of good student discounts: If your teen maintains a certain GPA, this can lead to savings on your premium.
• Choose a vehicle wisely: Insuring a used, safe, and moderately-priced vehicle can keep costs lower than insuring a brand-new or high-performance car.

By exploring these options with your agent, you can find a balance between necessary coverage and affordable premiums for your teen driver.

Will The Rate Drop When My Teen Turns 18 Or 21?

Yes, your teen’s car insurance rates will likely drop as they grow older, gain more driving experience, and maintain a clean driving record. Here’s how it typically works:

• At 18 years old: Some insurance companies may slightly reduce rates as your teen transitions into legal adulthood. However, the decrease may not be significant at this age because they are still considered relatively inexperienced drivers.
• At 21 years old: Most insurance companies will lower rates more noticeably once your teen reaches 21. By this time, they’ve had several years behind the wheel and are statistically less likely to be involved in accidents than they were as younger teens.

To ensure your teen qualifies for these rate drops, it’s essential that they maintain a clean driving record free of accidents, tickets, or other infractions. Even one traffic violation can result in higher premiums, so safe driving is key to unlocking these discounts over time.

Should Your Teen Driver Have Their Own Policy?

While it’s generally more affordable to add your teen driver to your existing auto insurance policy, there are certain situations where having a separate policy might make sense.

• If your teen owns their own vehicle: If the vehicle is titled in their name, your teen may need their own policy to ensure proper coverage. Some insurance companies require that the person listed on the policy is also the owner of the vehicle.
• Different coverage needs: If your teen needs different coverage limits or options than your household policy offers, a separate policy might be necessary. For example, if your household carries a higher level of coverage for adults, but you prefer lower coverage for your teen to save on costs, separate policies may be the best route.

Keep in mind that separate policies for teenagers are usually more expensive. You’ll want to discuss the pros and cons of both options with your agent at Craig-Peterson Agency to find the most cost-effective solution that still provides adequate protection.

Will They Have The Same Coverage For All Vehicles?

Yes, when your teen is added to your auto insurance policy, they will typically have the same coverage for all vehicles listed on the plan. This means that if your household has multiple cars, your teen is covered no matter which one they drive. However, there are a few things to consider:

• Primary vehicle usage: Be sure to list your teen as the primary driver of the car they will use most often. This helps ensure that your rates are accurate and reflects their actual driving habits. If your teen regularly drives multiple vehicles, it’s important to disclose this to your insurer to avoid any coverage issues in the event of a claim.
• Coverage levels: Your teen will have the same liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage as the rest of your family. If you feel your teen needs additional coverage or protection, you can adjust your policy accordingly.

Adding your teen to your existing policy not only simplifies coverage but also helps ensure they have access to the same level of protection as the rest of your household.

Get Coverage For Your Teen Today

Getting auto insurance for a teen doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. At the Craig-Peterson Agency, we’re here to guide you through the process.

To learn more, contact our team in Raleigh, NC today at 919-772-5202 or 919-544-8484. Our agents are standing by, ready to take your call. 

Auto Insurance Companies We Work With

We partner with trusted insurance carriers to ensure you get the best coverage for your family’s needs. Ask us about our partnerships and the specific discounts available for teen drivers.

Car Insurance For Teenage Drivers FAQ