Q: Can I ask the manufacturer to pay for daily insurance on the rental to cover any type of charges not covered under collision or comprehensive coverage.
A: Yes, you can certainly ask. However, from what we have heard to date, the manufacturers are denying these types requests
Q: If I have a loss in the rental vehicle, would I be able to use my Substitute Transportation Coverage to obtain another vehicle while it is being repaired.
A: Yes. Because the original rental vehicle is considered “Your Auto,” Substitute Transportation would be available if there was a collision or comprehensive loss to the original rental vehicle.
Q: Does my vehicle have to physically remain at the dealership while waiting for the backordered parts and repairs to be considered “out of normal use”? (The insured may not understand the term “out of normal use” so I added next question.)
A: No. Some dealerships have offered customers the option to voluntarily leave their vehicle at the dealership and some have not.
Q: Does my vehicle have to physically remain at the dealership while waiting for the backordered parts and repairs to be considered “out of normal use”?
A: No. Some dealerships have offered customers the option to voluntarily leave their vehicle at the dealership and some have not.
Q. What does “out of normal use” mean?
A: Out of use means that you, the insured, or any other party is not operating the recalled vehicle. Should the recalled vehicle remain in your custody, it is your responsibility to take great care that no one operates the recalled vehicle. Operation of your recalled vehicle would create a coverage situation and may result in the rental vehicle not meeting the definition of “Your Auto.”
Q: If the dealer did not ask me to sign a waiver that I will not drive the recalled vehicle, does that affect coverage under my auto policy?
A: No. The condition of signing the waiver does not change the coverage under your policy.
Q: The manufacturer’s dealership will not offer me a rental. Would I be able to rent a vehicle under my own Substitute Transportation Coverage?
A: No, there is no direct and accidental damage to the vehicle to trigger Collision or Comprehensive coverage. Substitute Transportation coverage only applies while the vehicle is being repaired or replaced due to a Collision or Comprehensive loss.
Q: Do I need to list the rental vehicle on my policy or purchase any type of endorsement that provides coverage for Use of Other Autos or Available for Regular Use?
A: No. You do not need any additional endorsements for the rental car to meet the definition of “Your Auto.”
Q: How is temporary defined?
A: There is no definition of “temporary” under the policy. The coverage is being extended because it is not a permanent replacement and involves a safety issue for our mutual customer.
Q: Would any claim made on the vehicle I’ve rented be subject to a regular use exclusion?
A: No. The regular use exclusion does not apply to “Your Auto.”
Q. What is regular use exclusion
A. There is no definition for Regular Use. However, the MA Auto Policy includes a Regular Use Exclusion for Damage to Someone Else’s Property, Optional Bodily Injury to Others, Medical Payments, Collision, Limited Collision and Comprehensive (Parts 4,5,6,7,8, and 9). These coverage parts will not apply to any vehicle which is furnished or available for regular use unless a premium is shown on your Policy.; You should contact your Agent if you regularly use a vehicle you do not own.
Q: If I do not renew my rental contract every 30 days, will that affect coverage?
A: No. However, we have heard many of the rental companies are asking insureds to renew the contract at regularly timed intervals, such as 30 days.
Q: While renting a vehicle as I wait for the repair, am I covered by my auto insurance policy?
A. A lot of carriers are extending coverage to the rental vehicle under the same terms, conditions, provisions and exclusions that apply to the vehicle listed on the coverage selections page of your policy. You should check with your Independent Agent and/or Company to determine if there is coverage on the rental vehicle.
Have questions about how the airbag recall affects your auto insurance policy? Call us at 800-590-5383 to discuss your coverage questions.
