Insurance & Personal Injury Attorney in Glendale, California

What is a loss of use claim in California?

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Los Angeles, CA personal injury attorney Narbeh Shirvanian talks about loss of use claims in California. In the event of an accident, the primary goal is to assist the individuals involved with their vehicles, whether it be facilitating repairs, declaring the vehicle totaled, or ensuring full compensation for property damages. A notable aspect often discussed in this process is the concept of loss of use, particularly when the damaged vehicle becomes unusable.

Typically, insurance companies provide a rental car during the repair period. Claimants have the option to secure a rental from providers such as Enterprise, U-Haul, Herz, or similar, with the replacement vehicle being of a comparable kind to their own. This arrangement is typically available for up to 30 days while the repairs are underway.

In certain cases, claimants may choose not to utilize the offered rental car, opting for alternative transportation. However, they can still assert a loss of use claim, emphasizing that the damaged vehicle in the shop, though not in use, incurs ongoing costs like registration and insurance. Consequently, during the repair period, a loss of use claim can be filed, aiming for compensation based on a daily monetary amount calculated using reasonable rental rates in the community for that specific type of vehicle. This approach allows for additional compensation for clients facing the loss of use during the repair process.

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