Rental Car Coverage
It’s happened to all of us. We go on vacation, we rent a car, and then we get asked the dreaded question: Do you want to buy insurance for your rental car? We want to answer no because we think our insurance covers it, but what if we’re wrong? What if something happens and we’re responsible for all of it? That’s a lot more vacation money than was planned for.
Ironically, even if one were to buy the rental car insurance, there are many things that are not covered. The agent will tell you that buying this will eliminate your worries, but will they really?
What you are buying from them is not actually insurance but a waiver of liability. This means that if you get into an accident the car company is liable and not you. Oftentimes this doesn’t cover theft, or loss of personal effects; you can, of course, pay extra for it.
Instead of waiting until you’re asked the dreaded question, you can do a little homework before-hand and then you will know what you will and won’t need and can answer accordingly. It’s easier than you think
First you will want to call your car insurance company. You can find out from them if you are covered in a rental car, what exactly is covered, and if not find out the price of a rider for a rental car. Remember, buying it from the rental car company is going to cost you anywhere from $10 – $40 per day. Now, if you need this rider, don’t buy it right away, you have a couple more calls to make first.
Next you will want to call the credit card company that you are going to use for the car. More and more credit cards nowadays will actually cover your damages in a rental car. If it’s already covered, you don’t need to buy a rider from your insurance company. If it’s not covered, then you will probably want to make a call back to your insurance agent.
Typically your own insurance is going to protect you a lot more than the rental company will. Being armed with as much information as possible is going to help you make the right decision for you. Maybe the rental insurance is better for you where it would not be for someone else. Unless you check first, you will never know.