Your car's inthe shop. Here'show to get a rental

By Dillon Davis, owner of CrownPoint Rentals · Des Moines, Iowa

Your car is at the body shop. Maybe a fender bender on I-235, maybe a deer on Highway 5. The shop says a few days to a few weeks, and you still have to get to work and get the kids to school. Here is how to handle the rental part without one more headache.

First, check whether your insurance pays for the rental

Many auto policies include an optional add-on called rental reimbursement coverage. It is separate from collision and liability, and not everyone has it.

If you have it, it generally works like this: your insurer pays up to a set dollar amount per day, up to a maximum number of days, while your car is repaired for a covered claim. The limits vary by policy. Some people's daily limit covers an economy car with room to spare; others pay the difference out of pocket.

If someone else caused the accident, their insurer may cover your rental as part of the claim instead. That approval can take longer.

The only way to know is to check your declarations page or call your agent and ask: "Do I have rental reimbursement, and what are the daily limit and day cap?" Also ask whether you must use a specific rental company or can rent anywhere and submit the receipt. Write the answers down before you book.

Why the rental counter is a pain when you have no car

Your car is at the shop. The counter is somewhere else. To get there you need a ride from a friend, a rideshare, or a shuttle, then you wait in line and do paperwork. When the repair is done, you do it in reverse. And if the shop calls at 4:45 on a Friday and the counter is closed, you may be stuck until Monday.

Not a disaster. Just a lot of running around during a week when you already have one fewer car.

How delivery to the body shop works

We do it differently at CrownPoint Rentals. We bring the car to you.

Tell us which body shop your car is at, and we meet you there with the rental when you drop off. You hand your keys to the shop, we hand you ours, and you drive away. When your car is ready, you drive the rental back to the shop and we collect it there.

We deliver anywhere within about 30 minutes of Des Moines, which covers West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Altoona, Waukee, and most body shops in between. We can also deliver to your home or work. The delivery fee depends on location, and we tell you the number up front.

We are open 24/7, so the Friday-at-4:45 problem is not a problem.

What you need to rent

• Be at least 18 (21 for the Tesla Model 3)
• A valid driver's license
• Your own full coverage auto insurance in your name

That last one matters. We do not sell insurance, so your own policy has to cover you in our car. Whether your coverage extends to a rental depends on your policy, so confirm with your agent while you have them on the phone.

Some vehicles have a refundable deposit. We take card, Zelle, or cash.

What it will cost

Rough totals for common repair lengths in an economy car:

• 3-day repair: about $195
• 1-week repair: $350
• 2-week repair: $700

If your policy covers $30 a day, you pay the difference; at $50 a day, an economy car is mostly covered. Plug in your own numbers. Delivery fee is extra and depends on location.

When the repair runs long

Body shops wait on parts. Adjusters take their time. "Done Thursday" becomes "done next Tuesday." If that happens, call or text us at 515-442-0861 and we extend the rental. You keep the same car, and if you cross into a second week, weekly pricing applies.

Keep an eye on your insurer's day cap, though. If your policy pays for 30 days and the shop is still waiting on a part at day 28, you want to know that before day 31.

FAQ

Can I get the rental delivered to the body shop the same day I drop my car off? Usually, yes. Submit the inquiry form as soon as you know the drop-off time. Same-day works best with a few hours' notice.

Will CrownPoint bill my insurance company directly? We rent to you and give you a receipt. How your insurer reimburses you depends on your policy, so ask them before you book.

What if I do not have rental reimbursement coverage? You can still rent from us and pay out of pocket. An economy car at $65 a day or $350 a week is the budget option.