Call Toll Free 

     24 Hours a day

  1-888-KEN-LAWW

Estimates of Damage

Following an automobile or motorcycle accident, you will need estimates of the damages to your vehicle. You will want to make sure that the body shop checks the undercarriage of your vehicle, in addition to the rest of the vehicle, because additional damages may lie there.

Go to two different body shops for an estimate, one that is recommended by the insurance company, and one that is an independent shop. This will provide the clearest, most unbiased estimate of your damages.

Total Losses

You can determine your total losses by comparing the cost of repairs are greater than the Fair Market Value of your vehicle. The Fair Market Value is the amount of money your car would be worth, undamaged, if sold on the current market.

To learn the Fair Market Value of your vehicle, visit the National Automobile Dealers Association NADA Guides web site at http://www.nadaguides.com and calculate your vehicle's worth by selecting your vehicle type, model year, and options.

Am I entitled to a Rental Car?

If your vehicle is damaged as a result of a collision that is not your fault, you are entitled to a rental car. Georgia law provides that if your car is declared a total loss, you are entitled to a rental car from the date of your accident until the date that you receive an offer for your totaled car from the at fault insurer. The insurer will NOT pay for a rental car beyond the date of the offer. It does not matter if you haven't bought a replacement vehicle by the date of the offer, or if you do not like the offer - the at-fault insurer's responsibility to pay for the rental ends when they make the offer on the totaled car.

If your vehicle is repairable, you are entitled to a rental vehicle while your car is in the body shop. As soon as you are told the vehicle is ready, it is your responsibility to turn the rental car in. The at-fault insurer's responsibility ends when your car is ready.

Most insurers reimburse you for your rental costs. As a result, you usually have to pay for your rental first, then check a check from the at fault insurer. Many rental companies require a credit card.

It is important to communicate with the adjuster. Be sure that you ask the right questions: do they work with any rental companies that will bill them directly? What is the daily rental charge limit that they will approve? When does the rental have to be returned? A clear understanding of these issues on your part will make the rental process much easier.

Some people have rental reimbursement coverage under their own car insurance policy. This provides for rental coverage, regardless of fault in the collision. The same general rules apply as above, but be sure to check your policy and communicate with your adjuster to avoid any misunderstandings.