In a previous blog, I shared a personal story: my husband was hit by an uninsured driver. Thankfully, he wasn’t injured and our Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage on our auto policy was there to repair the damage to our vehicle. But that experience opened our eyes to another gap many people don’t realize exists until it’s too late: rental car coverage.
UM Coverage Isn’t the Only Coverage You Need
Uninsured Motorist coverage is designed to step in when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. It protects you financially for damage to your vehicle and injuries.
But here’s the issue: it doesn’t automatically cover the cost of a rental car while your own vehicle is in the shop. That’s why you need Rental Reimbursement coverage — and if you don’t have it, or don’t have enough of it, you could be paying out-of-pocket.
Is $30/day Enough for a Rental Car?
Many people assume a rental car is $20–$30 a day. That might have been true years ago, but today it’s a very different story:
• Economy/compact cars: around $50–65 per day in Columbus.
• SUVs and larger vehicles: often $80–$110+ per day
Now, compare that to what’s in most policies. Many auto policies only cover $30 per day for rental, capped at 30 days. If your repair takes longer, or the daily rate is higher, you’re left paying the difference.
A Real-Life Example: Six Weeks in the Shop
When my husband’s car was hit by the uninsured driver, it wasn’t a quick fix. His car was in the shop for almost six weeks.
If we only had $30 per day that would have left a huge gap for us to pay:
• Average rental cost in Columbus: $60/day × 42 days = $2,520
• If the policy only covered $30/day (common in many policies): $30/day × 30 days = $900
• Out-of-pocket gap: $1,620
After an accident, it’s not unusual for repairs to take several weeks — especially with parts delays and body shop backlogs.
So What Do You Need To Do Right Now?
Review your auto policy to verify the following:
- Do you have rental reimbursement coverage? While it’s optional, it’s essential coverage that you’ll be glad you have when you need it.
- Daily limit – Is it enough to cover today’s market rates ($50–$65/day in Central Ohio)?
- Maximum payout – Does it stop at $900, $1,500, or another limit? Will that realistically carry you through several weeks of repair delays?
- Vehicle type flexibility – Can you rent something comparable to what you normally drive?
The Bottom Line
We were fortunate — our Uninsured Motorist coverage protected us from the financial impact of the accident, and we also had rental reimbursement coverage to help offset the cost of being without a vehicle for weeks. But the experience showed us just how quickly rental expenses can add up, and how inadequate coverage could leave many families with a hefty out-of-pocket bill.
Call ProtectALL Insurance today and let us review your auto policy with you. We’ll make sure your coverage matches real-world rental costs, so you’re not left paying thousands out of pocket after an accident.
Author: Judy Sivy