Embrace the Future of Auto Insurance with Rental Reimbursement

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Publishes Whitepaper on Rental Reimbursement

St. Louis, MO (Mar. 1, 2026) – Between rising auto insurance rates and lead times for collision-related repairs averaging nearly 2.5 weeks, more drivers are shopping around for the best combination of coverage and value. Embracing and emphasizing rental reimbursement policies can help insurance companies differentiate themselves in a competitive market and strengthen long-term customer retention.

The Growing Importance Of Rental Reimbursement

The auto insurance industry is competitive – and it’s becoming even more so. According to a recent Ipsos report, with rates on the rise, consumer loyalty is dropping as drivers increasingly shop around for the best combination of coverage and price. To stay on top, insurance companies must find ways to maximize customer satisfaction hile delivering value to their clients. Rental reimbursement policies may be one way to bridge the gap.

“Rental reimbursement should no longer be considered merely supplementary,” said Mary Mahoney, Vice President of Replacement and Leisure at Enterprise Mobility. “With the potential to positively impact customer satisfaction and retention, these policies can represent a strategic advantage for insurers willing to prioritize them in initial policy discussions and throughout the client relationship.”

Rental Reimbursement: More Than a ‘Nice to Have’

As customers demand more seamless experiences and added value, the commonly held view of rental reimbursement as a niche add-on to auto insurance coverage may be missing the mark on the critical role it can play in forming a well-rounded auto insurance policy.

According to 2024 Length of Rental (LOR) data from Enterprise, U.S. drivers are waiting an average of nearly 2.5 weeks for collisionrelated repairs – a long time to be without transportation, especially for those relying on their vehicle for their daily commute. Rental reimbursement coverage helps provide peace of mind, minimizing frustration during what can be an already stressful time. For the insurance professional, rental reimbursement presents a significant opportunity to enhance their value proposition and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Those who proactively educate and enroll their clients in these policies may have the advantage.

Enterprise conducted a comprehensive insurance penetration study in 2022 to understand the impact of rental reimbursement policies. Key data points revealed the relationship between rental reimbursement coverage and customer satisfaction, finding policyholders who use rental benefits during a claim are more satisfied with their overall claim experience, with 96% saying they are likely to rent again for a future claim.

This satisfaction extends beyond claim resolution, influencing customer loyalty and brand perception. According to the study, customers with rental reimbursement tend to stay with their provider for longer and shop for new insurers less frequently. If and when they do choose to shop around, these customers highly value the coverage in considering a new provider. Even among those without a rental reimbursement policy, half consider it an important factor in their decision.

“This data is critical for insurance professionals focused on customer retention and growth,” said Mahoney. “In a market where consumers have more choices than ever, positive claims experiences and value perception are crucial differentiators.”

Despite the benefits to insurers and the insured, the study revealed a gap – and opportunity – between potential and actual penetration of rental reimbursement policies in the market.

Just 41% of customers with comprehensive auto insurance policies have rental reimbursement coverage, yet 48% of those without the coverage rented a vehicle during a recent claim. Meanwhile, nearly 25% of customers without coverage say they have never heard of rental reimbursement or think their provider doesn’t offer it.

It’s no wonder rental reimbursement policies play a role in increasing long-term customer retention, as clients who feel more satisfied, protected and valued are less likely to switch providers. While insurance rates continue to be the most common reason consumers may decide to make a change, nearly a third say better coverage was a factor.

For those who don’t already have rental reimbursement, or whose reimbursement rate is less than what’s needed to offset the total cost of the vehicle, a robust rental policy offers customers an opportunity to improve their coverage – and experience – overall. Having timely access to a rental vehicle that’s fully paid for by their insurance policy means customers can continue their daily lives without interruption or additional financial stress.

To learn more, download the white paper.

Embrace the Future of Insurance with Rental Reimbursement

As the insurance landscape evolves, the role of rental reimbursement in shaping customer experiences and driving business success is becoming increasingly important. For more information on how Enterprise can support your efforts in the rental reimbursement space, including a free continuing education course, and more, explore our online agent resources.

About Enterprise Mobility

At Enterprise Mobility™ we are paving a new way forward by creating better experiences for how we move. We give people around the world the ability to connect in ways that suit their unique needs. It’s a bold idea that has defined our purpose-led, people-first organization for over 65 years, and it’s one that we continue to strive toward with every journey.

Through our trusted brands and our portfolio of offerings, we aim to reach the highest levels of customer service with each interaction. And we invest in — and care about — each other, our communities and every journey. It’s a point of pride and distinction, rooted in our origins. It’s how we grew from a pioneer with a fleet of seven cars to a global mobility leader with more than 90,000 team members around the world. And it’s what will continue to drive the future of the organization and mobility itself.

Over the years, we’ve learned moving forward isn’t a simple matter of going from point A to B. Today, mobility is the movement of people and goods. It goes beyond the vehicles we drive to encompass an integrated way of travel that meets every individual’s unique needs and preferences.

That is why it’s our vision to be the world’s best and most trusted mobility company. As mobility continues to evolve, we’ll continue to innovate to work toward a reimagined mobility future that is more accessible, efficient and sustainable for all. For more information, visit www.enterprisemobility.com.

About Enterprise

At Enterprise Rent-A-Car we make renting a car seamless so you can get right on your way. For more information, visit www.enterprise.com or www.enterprise.ca.

Source: Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Tags: auto insurance, Mobility, United States (USA), whitepaper