Repair delays, parts shortages and running out of rental coverage

Rental reimbursement coverage pays a set amount per day for a set number of days or dollars, and it stops when you hit the limit, even if your car is still waiting for parts. If another driver caused the crash, their insurer may owe you a rental or loss-of-use payment for a reasonable repair period, which can go beyond your own policy's limit. When a repair stalls, the most effective steps are getting the delay documented, asking the insurer to extend or reconsider, and pressing the at-fault insurer for loss of use.

Why repairs take longer than they used to

• Calibration and diagnostics. CCC Intelligent Solutions reported that repairs with numerous adjustments or alterations averaged more than 17 days from drop-off to pickup, compared with 13 days for repairs without them, and linked the difference to more complex calibrations and costly equipment (Claims Journal).
• Parts availability. Mitchell warned in 2026 that tariffs and shifting production locations could disrupt parts availability, because moving a part's manufacturing to a new plant is rarely seamless (Claims Journal).
• Supplements. Shops often find more damage after taking the car apart. Each supplement goes back to the insurer for approval, which can add days.
• Specialized vehicles. Liberty Mutual notes EV repairs can take longer because of certified-technician and battery-handling requirements (Liberty Mutual).

For the broader cost picture, see why car repairs cost so much more than they used to.

How rental reimbursement limits work

Most policies set two or three limits: a daily maximum, a total per claim, and sometimes a maximum number of days. Progressive says its daily limits are typically $40 to $70 and coverage lasts up to a total of 30 or 45 days, depending on the state (Progressive). The coverage generally requires collision and comprehensive on the car, usually has no deductible of its own, and does not pay for fuel, deposits or the rental company's add-on coverage. It does not apply to mechanical breakdowns.

A worked example

These numbers are hypothetical. Your policy pays $40 a day up to $1,200. The rental you need costs $52 a day. Your repair takes 41 days because a radar bracket is back-ordered.

Had the other driver been at fault, the $932 would be part of what you claim from their insurer.

When the other driver is at fault

When you file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, its liability coverage owes your reasonable damages, which generally include the loss of use of your car for a reasonable repair period. That obligation is not capped by your own rental limit. In practice:

• The at-fault insurer may take time to accept liability, so many people start with their own first-party collision and rental coverage, then claim the remainder from the other insurer. Your insurer may recover its payments through subrogation.
• If a delay is caused by parts shortages or the insurer's own slow approvals, ask in writing why the extra days should not be covered as part of a reasonable repair period.
• How loss of use is measured, and whether you can claim it without renting a car, depends on state law. For specifics, your state insurance department or an attorney is the right source.

What to do when the rental is about to run out

1. Get the delay in writing. Ask the shop for the parts order date, supplier and expected arrival, and the reason for any wait.
2. Tell the adjuster before the limit ends. Share the shop's note and ask whether the insurer will extend rental coverage, especially if the delay involves its own approvals.
3. Ask about alternative parts. If a factory part is weeks away, a certified aftermarket or recycled part may be acceptable for non-structural, non-sensor items. Weigh that against your preference for OEM parts.
4. Ask whether the car should be reconsidered as a total loss. If parts are unavailable for a long time, some insurers will reassess; this rarely helps if you want the car back, but it can end the limbo.
5. Claim from the at-fault insurer. Submit rental receipts and the shop's delay documentation for any days your own coverage did not pay.
6. Watch storage fees. If the car sits at a tow yard rather than the shop, move it promptly; insurers may stop paying storage after giving notice.
7. Escalate if needed. If the insurer does not respond or acts unreasonably, a written complaint to your state insurance department is free; see how to file a complaint against a car insurance company.

Keep every receipt and a log of calls. Claims timelines and what is reasonable are covered in how long does a car insurance claim take?.

Choosing better limits at renewal

• Check what a basic rental actually costs where you live, and pick a daily limit that covers it.
• Choose a total limit that would cover at least a month, given today's repair times.
• If you need a larger vehicle, such as a minivan or truck, price that, not an economy car.
• Ask whether the insurer offers direct billing with rental companies so you are not fronting the cost.

The coverage itself is explained in rental reimbursement coverage.

Key takeaways

• Rental reimbursement stops at your daily and total limits, even if repairs are still waiting for parts.
• Progressive's limits are typically $40 to $70 a day for 30 or 45 days, depending on the state.
• An at-fault driver's insurer generally owes loss of use for a reasonable repair period, beyond your own limit.
• Get delays documented and ask for an extension before your coverage runs out.
• Set rental limits at renewal based on real local rental prices and today's longer repair times.