Will my insurance cover a car rental? _________________________________________ Your auto insurance will not automatically cover a car rental in the event of an accident. You need to purchase extra coverage before an accident. Rental reimbursement coverage is usually inexpensive, averaging only a few dollars per month. Most car repairs take two weeks or longer, so a replacement rental can cost $500 or more. Even if you do not have an accident for many years, the coverage will pay for itself when you need it most.