When you are involved in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, you have a choice whether to go through your own insurance company to have your vehicle repaired or the negligent driver’s insurance company.  What’s the difference?  If you make a claim with your own carrier, you will likely be charged a deductible.  If you have rental car coverage on your policy, you will have access to a rental car while your car is in the shop, up to a daily or weekly limit set out in your policy.  When the claim is settled, your insurer will “subrogate” (make a claim for reimbursement) against the responsible party’s insurance company to get the money back.  This may or may not include your deductible.  If it does, you will eventually be reimbursed.  If it doesn’t, you’ll be out the $200 or $500 or however much your deductible is.