Recommended Body Shops in Vancouver, WA
Accidents happen. If your car was in an accident or requires repair, we know the stress that comes with it. In Vancouver, WA, we recommend Five Star Autobody Repair Shop & Collision Center. They can assist you with all of your body repair needs. Call 360-699-4887 to get started!
Our rent-a-car program works with a variety of body shops and insurance companies to provide you with a temporary replacement vehicle while your car is getting repaired. We can also pick you up from the body shop and place you in a rental. Let us know what it is you're looking for, and we'll help you throughout the process.
Perks of Working with Vancouver Toyota
When you work with Vancouver Toyota, we do the work for you. Our team will handle all of the paperwork needed for insurance company authorizations and billing. We direct-bill insurance companies while they pay for your rental. We match all daily, weekly, and monthly insurance replacement rates requested by your insurance company. Insurance replacement rates are based on a calendar day, meaning every day of the calendar counts as one day's rental. Insurance companies will reimburse you and are directly billed in that fashion.
Insurance Companies We Work With
Below are some of the insurance companies we work with. Contact our team to learn more.
What to Expect After the Accident - Rental Cars: If your car was damaged as result of another driver's negligence, the other driver's insurance company should pay your rental car costs for a reasonable length of repair time. If your car is totaled, many companies will pay for your rental as a courtesy, but they are not required to do so.
If you are filing a claim with your own insurance company, the cost of a rental car will only be covered if you paid a premium to include rental reimbursement coverage in your policy. Most polices have a dollar limit for rental payments, so check your policy if you have questions.
How can I get a rental car? If you need a rental car, we would be happy to assist you to make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that option on your policy or if you are the claimant. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are.
How do I get a rental car? Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car can help you make the necessary arrangements. Insurance companies will only pay for a rental car if you have that option on your policy. Check your policy and/or call your insurance company to find out if you have rental coverage and what your specific limitations are. We have agreements/arrangements with most all insurance companies & auto body shops.
What's my first step in getting a replacement vehicle from Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car? It's easy to reserve your replacement vehicle online! Provide your claim number and name of insurance company to book your reservation immediately. As always, if you're already on the road, simply contact Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car and we'll prepare your replacement rental request on the spot. Or if you're already at the repair shop, just give us a call. Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car makes it easy!
Since my car will be at the body shop being repaired, how can I pick up my rental car? No need to worry about how you'll get your rental vehicle. Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car will send an employee to drive you here. We'll even take you home or to the repair shop after you return your rental vehicle.
Will I be able to rent a car that's similar in size and style to my own car? Absolutely. Choose your Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car replacement vehicle from our line of current models that includes roomy Cars, Hybrids, Pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, vans, etc. Please review your specific coverage information with your insurance company so you understand how and to what extent you're covered for a replacement vehicle.
Will my insurance company cover the rental? Contact your insurance company directly to find out if your policy provides for a rental car allowance in case of accident or upset. If someone else's insurance company is making the arrangements, you should ask their claims handler/adjuster if they'll provide you with a rental car.
How can Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car save me time and take the hassle out of replacement rentals? As soon as you realize that your personal car has to go into the shop, reserve your replacement vehicle on VancouverToyota.com. We'll need your name and contact information, insurance company name, claim number, number of days authorized, adjuster's name and phone number, agent name and phone number, and body shop/repair facility and phone number. Next, at Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car, we'll arrange for you to be picked up and driven here. For pick up, just call 360.253.0688. Then we'll call your adjuster for rental authorization and to verify all the information you gave us. Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car will then contact the body shop a day before the rental authorization expires to check the status of your repair. If a rental extension is necessary, Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car will call the adjuster to request authorization - and we'll also contact the body shop a day before the extension rental authorization expires to check the status of your repair. Once you tell us that your personal car is ready for pickup, we'll arrange for your rental car to be returned. What could be easier?
How does the billing work? Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car will directly bill the insurance company for all or the portion of the rental they have agreed to pay. Since there are many types of policies and coverage, be sure to ask your claims handler/adjuster to confirm the maximum daily amount and the maximum total amount they will pay for car rental. The renter is responsible for any charges incurred above and beyond the maximum allowance approved by the insurance company.
How long can I keep the rental car? Once you're in a Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car car, we'll stay in contact with your repair facility until your vehicle repairs are completed. We'll automatically contact the insurance company with updates and ask them to extend the rental until the repairs are done. You'll be contacted by Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car once we're notified by the insurance company that they'll no longer pay for the rental.
How can I get back to my car when I return my rental vehicle? When you're ready to return your rental car to the Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car location, we'll give you a lift home, or drive you to the local repair shop to pick up your personal vehicle.
Q: Are You Covered When You Rent a Car? While some personal auto insurance policies will cover you up to your policy limits for bodily injury and property damage you cause while driving a rental vehicle, others will not. Also, even if your liability coverage extends to a rental vehicle, you may be held personally liable for any damage you cause to the rental vehicle if you don't carry comprehensive and collision coverage.
Q: Isn't my insurance company required to cover a rental car no matter what? No. While some states require insurance companies to cover rentals regardless of the circumstances, coverage in Washington is purely a matter of contract between the insurance company and its customer, and insurance policy terms will vary. If you have questions about your policy's coverage, consult with your insurance company or an attorney before assuming you will be covered.
Q: If my insurance company doesn't cover me when I drive a rental car, might I still be covered for a loaner car to drive while my own car is being repaired? Maybe. Some individual policies that don't cover rental vehicles still will give you limited coverage for a "temporary replacement vehicle" to be used while your own car is being serviced. Not all policies offer such coverage, and there may be restrictions that may include a time limit on the use of the loaner vehicle. Verify that your own policy has liability coverage for claims of third parties as well as comprehensive and collision coverage for damage to the loaner vehicle. The dealership or body shop providing the loaner car may have a policy that provides customers with liability coverage and even comprehensive and collision coverage for damage to the loaner vehicle. The insurance carrier for such a policy may, however, "subrogate" or seek payment from you or your insurance carrier if you should need to make a claim.
Q: Won't the rental company's insurance cover me? Rental companies in all states, including Washington, must show proof of "financial responsibility" (usually insurance or a bond) on the vehicles they rent to consumers. When you rent a car, however, most companies require you to agree to shift coverage to your personal carrier, and they often take the position that your personal insurance company is primary. Your own policy may pay before the rental company's insurance or it may state that your policy is excess to the rental company's policy. Even if the rental company's insurance does apply, it might provide only minimum financial responsibility limits. If neither your personal auto policy nor the rental company's insurance will pay, you can be held personally liable for any damage you cause to people and property. If your personal policy will not cover you in a rental vehicle, then consider buying supplemental coverage from the rental company for the time you have the rental vehicle.
Do I have the right to a rental car? If you have not purchased rental car coverage AND you were responsible for the accident, you would not be entitled to reimbursement under your policy. If the other driver is determined to be liable for the accident, you would have the right to seek reimbursement from the other driver's insurance company. If you have purchased rental car coverage: you can file a claim with your own company for reimbursement -or- if you do not want to file a claim with your own insurance company and the other driver was liable for the accident, you have the right to seek reimbursement from the other driver's insurance company. Generally, you are entitled to a vehicle comparable to your own. However, in the case of certain high-value, high-cost vehicles, you may have to demonstrate your need for a specific replacement vehicle.
Rental Cars: While your car is being repaired or you are waiting on payment for a car that is a total loss, you may want to rent a car from Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car. Provided the rental is comparable to your car, rented at a reasonable price, for a reasonable amount of time, the insurance company will reimburse you. Under the law in Washington, the insurance company must only reimburse your expenses; therefore, you are often responsible for renting and paying for a rental car in advance. Insurance companies often argue the amount of time a rental car is used, so it is important that you follow up with the body shop to make sure your car is repaired in a timely manner.
I need a rental car, will my insurance pay for it? This has many possible answers...
- If it's YOUR vehicle and YOUR insurance is covering the repairs AND you have rental car coverage, then the answer is Yes.
- If you do NOT have rental coverage, ask us how to get a special rate on your rental (many body shops have discounted rates with Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car).
- If you are a Claimant (another party's insurance is paying for the repairs), rental coverage is covered by THEIR insurance.
Who pays for the rental car while my car is in the body shop?
Liability Claim: When the claim is against the other driver's company, the other driver's company should pay your rental car cost for a reasonable length of repair time. If the car is totaled, many companies pay for your rental as a courtesy, but they are not required to do so - your right to a rental ends once a settlement has been offered.
Comprehensive/Collision Claim: When it's a claim against your own policy, your company will pay if you paid a premium to include rental reimbursement coverage in your policy. Most policies have a dollar limit for rental payments; your rental car rights are spelled out in your policy.
Reservations: It is more convenient if you make rental car arrangements prior to your scheduled repair date to insure that you have a vehicle reserved. Please give us a call to assist you.
Pick Up and Drop Off: Rental vehicles can be picked up and dropped off at Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car or the body shop.
Choice of Vehicles: Rental vehicle models are categorized according to size and corresponding prices. Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car offers vehicles in these categories: Compact, Mid-Size, Intermediate, Full Size, Premium, and Specialty vehicles such as hybrids, Minivans, SUVs (large and small), and Pickup Trucks. We advise that you consider the insurance rental car payment coverages when choosing your vehicle.
Important Considerations When Choosing a Rental Vehicle: If an insurance company is paying for the rental car be sure to check with them for your specific rental car coverages and limitations before you choose your rental car. Most insurance companies offer several rental car coverage plans or levels of payment in their policies.
Payment of the Rental Bill: Each insurance company has a specific procedure for paying rental car bills. Many companies will accept a direct billing from the car rental company. However, some insurance companies will require that you pay for the rental vehicle and send them the bill. They will then reimburse you. Check with the insurance company paying for your rental to determine how the payment will be handled.
Deposits: Even if an insurance company is paying for your car rental, Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car may require you to provide them with a credit card. They will put a certain dollar amount on your card as a deposit in case you damage their vehicle while it is in your possession.
Age Restrictions: Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car will not rent to drivers under age of 21. However, some insurance companies have agreements with Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car to waive this restriction. When you call, please disclose the age of the driver and ask if there is a restriction.
Damage Waivers: Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car offers supplemental insurance policies often referred to as Damage Waivers (e.g., Loss Damage Waiver, Liability Insurance Supplement, Personal Accident Insurance & Personal Effects coverage). An insurance company may be paying for the cost of the car rental but most do not pay the cost for Damage Waivers or other Supplemental Coverages.
Do you offer car rental service through body shops? Yes. We can make arrangements with all body shops to meet you at their facility. When repairs are complete you may pick up your vehicle and leave the rental with them or us.
Reminder: If you need a rental car, we can pick you up when you drop your vehicle off for repairs and can drop you back off when your vehicle is ready. When renting a car from Vancouver Toyota Rent a Car you need to provide your driver's license, proof of insurance, and a deposit whether insurance or you are paying for your rental.