Mark Casto | December 4, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus, Georgia
After a car crash, many drivers in Columbus, GA, need a rental car while their vehicle is being repaired. The question of who pays depends on the insurance policies involved, who caused the accident, and what type of claim is filed.
Georgia law uses a fault-based system, which affects how rental costs are handled. Here’s more about what you need to know.
Does the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pay for My Rental Car?
Georgia uses a fault system, meaning the driver who caused the collision is legally responsible for the resulting damage. If another driver caused your crash, their insurance usually pays for your rental car while repairs are underway. This is handled through the property damage portion of the claim.
The at-fault driver’s insurer may reimburse you directly or arrange payment with the rental company. You may be asked to provide:
- The repair estimate
- The shop’s repair timeline
- Proof that you need a rental vehicle for transportation
Insurers typically cover a rental only for the reasonable amount of time required to complete repairs. If delays occur because of parts shortages or shop backlog, most insurers will extend coverage, although each case is evaluated individually.
What if I’m Partly at Fault for the Crash?
Georgia follows a 50 percent modified comparative negligence system. This means you can recover damages only if you were less than 50 percent responsible for the crash. If you share some fault, your compensation, including reimbursement for a rental car, may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if I Caused the Accident or Fault Isn’t Clear Yet?
If you are responsible for the crash, or if fault is still being investigated, your own insurance may cover the cost of a rental car. This depends on whether you carry rental reimbursement coverage. This optional policy benefit helps pay for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after an accident.
Rental reimbursement coverage usually has:
- A daily dollar limit
- A maximum coverage period
- Restrictions on vehicle type
If your policy does not include rental reimbursement, you may have to pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement later if the investigation shows the other driver was at fault.
What if My Car Is Totaled Instead of Repaired?
When a vehicle is declared a total loss:
- Rental reimbursement coverage usually ends when your insurer makes a settlement offer, not when you receive payment.
- The at-fault driver’s insurer may also stop rental coverage once the total loss determination is made.
Total loss evaluations can take time. Keep receipts and stay in communication with both insurers to avoid gaps in coverage.
What if the At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?
If the other driver is uninsured, you may have coverage through:
- Collision coverage, or
- Rental reimbursement coverage
Many drivers assume uninsured motorist (UM) coverage includes rental cars, but in Georgia, UM coverage typically does not cover rental expenses unless specifically added.
How Long Will Insurance Pay for a Rental Car?
Both your insurer and the at-fault driver’s insurer will only pay for the time needed to complete repairs. Repair delays caused by the shop or parts shortages may still be covered, but unnecessary delays are not.
Documentation is important. Keep copies of:
- Repair orders
- Updated timelines from the shop
- Rental car receipts
Clear records help avoid disputes over how long the rental is needed.
Understanding Rental Car Coverage After a Crash in Columbus
If someone else caused the crash, their insurance usually pays for your rental car. If you share fault or caused the accident, your ability to be reimbursed depends on your own rental reimbursement coverage.
The exact payment source depends on fault, insurance coverage, and how long the repairs take. To learn more, contact Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with a Columbus car accident lawyer.
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030