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What happens if you total a rental car?

Are you responsible for the full cost of the vehicle? Would you simply just have to pay the deductible but have your premiums skyrocket? Or would you be liable for the full cost of the rental car?

Dec 16, 2018 Tampa, FL

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Ava Lynch

Senior Analyst

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior analyst, providing insights and data analysis as one…

The answer depends on your insurance coverage. 

If you do not have insurance you will likely be responsible for the cost of the vehicle. If you do have comprehensive or collision coverage, check with your insurance company. The company may cover the damages.

An insurance company may extend your collision and comprehensive coverage to your rental vehicle, but this may not always be the case. If the insurer covers the damages, you will be responsible for the deductible.

You may also encounter a premium increase when your policy comes up for renewal. The average insurance premium increase for an at-fault accident in Florida is $131 per month.

Here is more information on how to file a claim (featuring a claims calculator). Good luck and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

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