Rental Cars: What do you get?

When you get in an accident, there will be a few days when your car is not driveable, either due to the damage or to repairs. Sometimes, it will even be longer. When you rent, what are you entitled to?

You are entitled to a like, kind and quality rental. So, if you own an SUV, you get an SUV. If you own a compact car, you get a compact car. Of course, be careful. The rental agencies sometimes call subcompacts as compacts so make sure that the car is actually similar to what you drive.

What do you do if the insurance company refuses to pay? (Of course, if it is your insurance company and you do not have rental coverage, they won't pay anything.) First, you should ask to speak to a supervisor about it. If the agency did not have your size car available, ask the rental car agency for a letter about why you ended up in a bigger car. That should be resolved pretty easily. If the supervisor won't resolve it, a letter to the person who hit you, with a copy of the invoice, will get their attention. Finally, you may have to consider small claims court, but if you were injured, make sure you talk to an attorney before filing in small claims court.

Good luck - rental situations often get sticky.