Loss of Use

Loss of use refers to charges levied by the rental company for the inability to rent the vehicle during repair time after damage. The premise: while the rental is in the shop, the rental company can’t generate revenue from it.

These charges can substantially exceed the actual repair cost.

How loss-of-use is calculated

Most rental companies charge approximately the daily rental rate × number of days in repair.

For a 14-day repair on a $200/day Class C rental:

• Repair cost: $4,200
• Loss-of-use: $200/day × 14 days = $2,800
• Total exposure: $7,000

In some cases, loss-of-use exceeds the actual repair amount.

When loss-of-use is waived

Most premium / full-coverage damage waivers cover loss-of-use. Lower-tier waivers may not. Verify this explicitly before signing the damage waiver.

When loss-of-use hits you

• No damage waiver — you pay loss-of-use plus repair
• Basic damage waiver — you typically pay loss-of-use; waiver covers only the repair
• Mid-tier damage waiver — usually covers loss-of-use but verify

Cap or unlimited?

Some rental companies cap loss-of-use at a specific number of days (typically 14-30) or a specific dollar amount. Others charge until repair completes, with no cap.

For older or specialty RVs, repair time can extend significantly:

• Parts availability — vintage RVs may wait months
• Diesel pusher repairs — specialty shop wait lists can be 4-8 weeks
• Insurance estimator delays — adjusters sometimes drag claims for months

Practical examples

Cruise America (corporate): Loss-of-use usually waived with premium damage coverage. Confirmed at claim time.

Outdoorsy (peer-to-peer): Loss-of-use varies by owner. Platform standardizes some coverage but owners can supplement.

RVshare (peer-to-peer): Loss-of-use varies similarly. Platform coverage and owner policies both apply.

What renters can do

1. Buy premium / full coverage damage waiver — covers most loss-of-use scenarios
2. Confirm coverage explicitly before signing — get it in writing
3. Avoid damage — photograph everything at pickup, drive carefully, treat the rental well
4. Report damage promptly — delayed reporting can extend repair time
5. Document everything at the accident or damage event

At-fault vs. not-at-fault

If the damage isn’t your fault (someone hits you, weather event, vandalism):

• File a claim with your auto insurance or the other driver’s
• Their insurance often pays loss-of-use
• Your damage waiver may not be activated

This is why insurance discovery after an accident matters — sometimes loss-of-use isn’t your problem at all.