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rental car headaches: repair delays vs. coverage limits
I'm kinda stuck deciding between two rental car coverage options and could use some input. One has a lower daily limit but covers me for a longer period if repairs drag on (which, knowing my luck, they probably will...). The other gives me a nicer rental with higher daily allowance but cuts off sooner, leaving me stranded if the shop takes forever. Anyone dealt with this before? Curious which you'd pick and why.
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3 replies
The deciding detail is how the rental period is counted: calendar days from opening the claim, shop drop-off, or insurer approval. Check for a separate total-dollar cap too. A low daily limit can still run out quickly if reimbursement stops once that cap is reached.
The daily allowance and the time limit are only part of the trade-off. If repairs run past the stated limit, does reimbursement simply stop, or can the insurer extend it when the delay is documented? That could matter more than the nicer rental.
The “nicer rental with a higher daily allowance” isn’t automatically the better deal. If the rental rate exceeds the allowance, you pay the difference each day. Compare likely rates with each option’s cap: a lower limit might still cover a basic car, while the nicer option could leave you with a daily gap. That’s worth weighing against the longer coverage period.