The length of your rental car coverage will depend on your insurance policy. Some policies may cover up to 30 days, while others may only cover 7 days or less.
When you are involved in a car accident, you may expect your insurance company to cover the many expenses and costs that appear throughout the process. In fact, your car insurance policy is there to protect you in situations like this. Unfortunately, in some situations, your insurance policy may not be enough to cover even the rental car costs for the time it takes to repair your car.
In these situations, you may need to take extra steps to hold the insurance company accountable for these obstacles you face as you navigate the aftermath of a car accident. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we focus on helping our clients get the full value of their insurance settlement and pursue the many types of coverage they may be eligible for, including rental car services and more.
The Specifics of Your Insurance Policy Will Dictate Your Coverage
The specifics of your insurance coverage generally depend on the specifics of the policy you pay for. While California has specific insurance requirements needed to drive in the state, that does not mean this coverage will pay for your recovery. Fortunately, we can help you navigate filing an insurance claim and getting compensated fairly for your suffering.
Your Insurance Must Meet State Minimum Requirements for Liability Coverage
In California, insurance policies have minimums to meet state law requirements. These include bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. This coverage essentially provides protection if you are found at fault for an accident.
That is because California is a fault state under California Civil Code 1714. This law states that anyone who is responsible for causing an accident or injury is financially liable for the damage caused. Having this liability insurance typically provides support for the injured party without leaving you paying out of pocket, but your policy may cover more than the minimum liability insurance.
Check Your Policy for Further Coverage
While these minimum requirements must be met, you may choose to add further insurance coverage, such as comprehensive insurance. For instance, if your car is damaged in an incident other than a collision, your insurance should cover the property damage if you have this coverage. This type of coverage refers to damage like vandalism or falling objects.
You may also choose to have collision coverage, which can help cover you if you collide with another vehicle or object or if you are in a single-car rollover accident. This coverage is generally optional, but it can help cover the costs if you are in an accident where another person is not liable for your injuries. Adding this insurance coverage can provide a more well-rounded policy, meaning that it protects you from damage caused yourself, by other parties, and by unforeseeable accidents.
You May Need to File a Third-Party Claim with the At-Fault Party’s Insurer
In some cases, however, you may have been injured because another person was careless with your safety. When someone’s actions lead to your injury, you may need to report that to your insurance company, but you may not be filing a claim with them. Instead, you may seek a third-party claim against the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
Because California is a fault state, the at-fault party is generally responsible for ensuring that you get needed coverage for the many damages you may have suffered. That coverage may include the cost to repair your vehicle, rental car coverage, and more.
Pro Tip
If you have questions about what your policy covers, we can help. We can review the specifics of your policy, determine what you are covered for, and help you file a claim against the at-fault party if needed.
Insurance Companies May Try to Protect Their Own Interests
As you navigate an insurance claim, you may feel relief that you have the opportunity to simply file with an insurance company and overcome the specifics of your case. However, you may be surprised or disappointed by the response you receive from the insurance adjuster. You may receive a lowball settlement offer, accusations that you are partly at fault for the accident, or a denial without reason.
These tactics may be used to push insurance policyholders into accepting less compensation than their claim is worth. Unfortunately, because of the desperate situation that a driver may be in after a car crash, these tactics leave many people stuck with a smaller settlement offer than they need. If you accept this offer, you may find yourself paying out of pocket for the suffering someone else caused.
Fortunately, we have tools and resources to help you avoid this. We do not simply accept the first offer an insurance company makes, and if they continuously fail to respond appropriately, we are not afraid to take your case to trial. That is especially true if the insurance company is acting in bad faith.
Note
If an insurance company acts in bad faith, expecting you to simply accept your case, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against them. We have the resources you may need to file a claim and pursue compensation for the suffering caused by this case.
What Compensation Should My Insurance Settlement or Lawsuit Include?
As you navigate a legal case after a collision, you may have significant losses or damages that need to be covered. Unfortunately, you may not have tools on your own to calculate what your claim is worth. Whether you are ensuring your insurance company is being fair or preparing for a lawsuit, we can help you navigate the process of calculating your claim’s value.
Coverage for Your Economic Losses
When you are involved in a collision, you may have catastrophic injuries, from brain injuries to spinal cord damage to burns. The many expenses for your recovery can add up, along with the costs for your time away from work and the property damage done to your vehicle. These costs can add up to far beyond what you can pay for yourself, especially if you are unable to work.
When you file a lawsuit, we can pursue the full scope of the damages you are due for an accident. For minor car crashes, an insurance settlement may cover the full scope of your economic damages, but for more serious cases, you may need further compensation you can pursue through a lawsuit. We can help you determine what direction is best for your case.
You May Be Due Further Damages for Pain and Suffering in a Lawsuit
While an insurance claim can cover the economic damages you need for your case, you may also be able to pursue your pain and suffering damages. These damages, also called non-economic damages, cover the intangible, emotional suffering you have experienced because of your accident. We can help calculate these damages if you choose to pursue a lawsuit.
Generally, your non-economic damages are based on the severity and impact of your case. For example, a permanent injury may lead to more emotional trauma than one that will heal within a few months. We can help identify what your claim is worth as you navigate these damages.
What Happens If I Am Due Punitive Damages?
In a lawsuit, you may be able to pursue more than these compensatory damages. You may also be due punitive damages, which punish the wrongdoer rather than compensate you for a specific loss. These damages are typically only awarded in cases where another party was dangerously negligent or intentionally malicious.
Your Potential Path to Compensation If Your Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
You may have done everything in your power to handle your insurance claim correctly. You may have reported your case on time, filed all the proper paperwork, and done the right things to avoid fault being placed on you. Unfortunately, you may have still received a denial from the insurance company.
The good news is that you do not have to simply accept a denied claim from your insurance company. You can take action to appeal or negotiate your claim, or you may choose to file a lawsuit to get the full story of your compensation covered. No matter which is right for your case, we are here to provide the guidance you need.
File a Demand Letter
When you receive a settlement offer you believe is too low, your first opportunity is to make this clear to the insurance company. You can do that by filing a demand letter, which we can help you prepare. This demand letter includes information about the further damages you are due, including evidence of those other damages.
The demand letter gives the insurance company a chance to review the details of your case and determine whether to provide the settlement you are due. With this evidence and information detailing your case, this may be an opportunity to avoid further legal obstacles. However, if the insurance company does not choose to offer a higher settlement, you still have options to negotiate.
Appeal and Mediation
After you provide your demand letter, the insurance adjuster may meet with you and your attorney to negotiate a settlement. We can help mediate these conversations, advocating for you against the insurance company. This can allow you to take action and get compensated fairly without going to court.
If the insurance company continues to deny you, appealing this decision with strong evidence and a powerful argument can sometimes help. We offer legal representation for our clients who are pursuing a settlement in these situations. Unfortunately, the insurance company may sometimes be unwilling to cooperate with your claim.
Filing a Lawsuit with Our Help
The good news is that you are not out of options if the insurance company continues to deny you the compensation you are due. Taking these steps is also important when your insurance policy does not cover the total costs of your recovery. When this happens, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
However, your lawsuit will come with specific legal considerations, including laws that can impact the outcome of your case. For example, if you do not file within 2 years, your claim may be dismissed under California Civil Code 335.1. Let us help you navigate the complex details of your lawsuit as you pursue compensation.
Tip
Before you consider accepting a settlement offer or filing a lawsuit, consider speaking with our attorneys first. We can help you determine the best path forward for your case, what your claim is worth, and what round you may have to file a claim.
Our Car Accident Law Firm Provides the Specific Help You May Need to Protect Your Claim and Get the Coverage You Are Due
When you are involved in a car accident, you expect your insurance company to cover at least a portion of your expenses, even if you have to file a third-party claim with another insurance company. However, no matter your insurance policy, you may find yourself dealing with an insurance adjuster who tries to downplay or deny your claim. While this can significantly delay your claim, you may still have options to pursue compensation.
Do not hesitate to ask for help navigating your car accident claim, especially if your insurance company is unwilling to cooperate. At Text Kevin Accident Attorneys, we offer the additional support you need when your insurance company is unwilling to provide that help. To learn more about our services, you can always reach out for a free consultation by calling or filling out our online contact form.
