Collision Repair And Time Without Your Car: Dealing With Costs, Scheduling, And Solutions

Posted on: 17 September 2017

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If you need to leave your car at a body shop because the car needs repairs after a collision, you need to decide what to do about transportation. Sometimes the collision repairs are done very quickly, and if you don't really need to go anywhere for that short time, there's no real problem. But if the repairs are going to take a while, you've got to work through your options.

How Much Will Your Insurance Pay?

If you have excellent insurance that will cover the full cost of the car rental for as long as you need it, obviously, you know that's your choice, right there. But if your insurance will pay only part or even none of the rental costs, then you could be facing a hefty bill.

If you can telecommute (or you work from home to begin with), you may want to arrange for a rental on just those specific days when you know you have to drive, such as a big shopping day. However, if you have to drive a lot -- say, you've got small kids that you need to ferry around to classes, practice, and more -- then you may need to look at their schedules and enlist some help. See if the parents of their classmates or teammates can help drive them, or see if a neighbor can help you out.

How Much Are Car-Sharing Services Compared to Car Rental?

If you truly don't have anyone who can help you, and you can't rent a car for the times you need it, look at car-sharing services. These are often cheaper than taxis in some areas, though be aware of availability issues during major events and surge-type pricing that can quickly make car sharing less attractive than renting a car for several days.

Can You Reduce Your Need to Drive?

Not everyone lives in an area with great public transportation, so the concept of reducing the need to drive can make people laugh. But for the duration of your car's repair, can you arrange to telecommute? Can you give your kids a break from all the afterschool activities? Can you get a classmate's parent from school to take your kids to and from school itself? Can you get a delivery service to bring groceries to your home? It may seem restrictive, but if costs are an issue, reducing where you have to go for a while may be best.

One thing is for sure -- you will get through your no-car period if you can't rent a car for the entire time. Treat this planning as a puzzle to solve rather than a major wrench in your schedule. You may find some innovative solutions.