Does Insurance Pay for a Rental Car During Windshield Replacement?

Does insurance pay for a rental car during a glass claim?

Rental reimbursement is a separate, optional coverage on a personal auto policy. It pays for a rental when a covered loss puts your vehicle out of service, and it is tied to that claim. Whether you carry it, and what its daily and per-loss limits are, depends on your policy. Read the declarations page or ask your agent.

For a windshield replacement, a rental is rarely needed. The install takes about 45 to 75 minutes, followed by a 30-minute safe drive-away period, and you drive the vehicle afterward. Mobile service comes to your home or workplace, so the vehicle never leaves you. See our guide on how long a replacement takes.

Rental reimbursement is more relevant when the glass damage is part of a larger event. A collision that needs body work and a windshield, with the vehicle in a body shop for days, is where a rental earns its place. A glass-only claim usually does not.

When a rental might come into play

Most glass claims never need one.

1. 1

   Check whether you carry rental reimbursement

   It is optional and listed on the declarations page with a daily and per-loss limit. If it is not there, the coverage does not apply.

2. 2

   Confirm the claim is a covered loss

   Rental reimbursement pays only when the glass damage is a covered comprehensive or collision loss. A wear-and-tear replacement paid out of pocket does not qualify.

3. 3

   Compare the timeline with the need

   A glass-only replacement is done the same day, often at your location. A rental makes sense when the vehicle is in a shop for days of body work.

4. 4

   Arrange the rental through the insurer

   When the coverage applies, the insurer or its claims administrator can set up the rental and bill directly up to your limit.

More questions about rentals and glass claims