- The car rental company's optional insurance. This coverage, offered at the time of your rental, will cover most — but not all — damage to your vehicle. ...
- A standalone car rental insurance policy. Companies such as InsureMyRentalcar.com offer a range of collision damage waiver policies online that are less expensive and sometimes cover more than those offered ...
- Travel insurance. Most traditional travel insurance policies provide some kind of car rental coverage. But there are limits on them, too. ...
- Your car insurance. Most car insurance covers your rental, with some significant restrictions. Your insurance may not be accepted outside your home country or cover damage to certain vehicle types.
- Your credit card. Credit cards, especially those marketed to travelers, often have some type of car rental protection. ...
What is the best way to insure a rental car?
- You must carry car insurance to drive
- Your existing car insurance policy may cover you in a rental vehicle
- Your credit card may offer car insurance coverage
- You may be able to receive loyalty rewards on car rentals
How to decide whether you need rental car insurance?
- Your current policy doesn't have comprehensive and collision coverage
- You're only insured under a commercial car insurance policy
- You don't want to risk paying a high deductible
Does My Car Insurance Cover Me when I rent a car?
Yes. If you rent a car, you need coverage to protect the vehicle and yourself. Without it, you would have to pay for any damage out of pocket above the basic protection.
What you should know about rental car insurance?
Rental car insurance is an insurance policy that protects you from incidents that happen while using a rental car. Depending on the policy you choose to pay for, you can be covered for damages, theft, or other incidents that may occur during your rental period.
What is the best insurance for a rental car?
If you’re a frequent traveler, an annual travel insurance plan may be your best bet to protect your rental car, your baggage and your finances. The AllTrips Premier Plan, for instance, includes the rental car collision damage waiver, $2,000 in baggage loss/damage benefits, and a slew of other travel insurance benefits that cover you for a 365-day period.
How to figure out what rental car insurance to get?
The easiest way to figure out what rental car insurance you need? Do your research before you're standing at the rental car counter. Check your car insurance coverage and your credit card coverage options. Buy low-cost collision loss/damage insurance ahead of time . And if you impulsively check "yes" on all the insurance options offered by the rental car company, don't let buyer's remorse ruin your vacation (and your budget). The company may let you cancel the coverage if you return to one of its offices the next day. vi
What Is Supplemental Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance typically covers damages to other people's property (e.g. their cars) as well as medical costs for other people’s injuries in an accident you're legally responsible for. iii In the U.S., every state requires a minimum amount of liability insurance on car insurance policies, so you may already have liability coverage through your personal auto insurance.
What Is Personal Accident Insurance?
While liability coverage covers other people's property damage and injuries in an accident, personal accident coverage includes medical, ambulance and death benefits for you (the rental car driver) and your passengers.
What to say when someone sells rental car insurance?
Someone trying to sell you rental car insurance may say your liability coverage is too low and encourage you to buy supplemental insurance. If you're worried about liability, there's a better way to protect yourself.
Is personal accident insurance included in car insurance?
According to Consumer Affairs, the benefits provided by personal accident insurance may already be included in your health, life or car insurance policies — or they may be included in the coverage the car rental company provides. If you’re traveling overseas, where U.S. health insurance may not be accepted, then you should carry travel insurance ...
What insurance is needed for a rental car?
Personal accident insurance – This coverage will pay for injuries or death of the driver and passengers of your rental car.
How to get insurance for a car rental?
Step 1: Contact your car insurance company to make sure you understand your policy and what is covered when you rent a car. Step 2: Contact your credit card company to find out what coverage it provides. Step 3: Finally, bring your car insurance declaration page so you can present it to the rental company if any questions come up ...
What Options Are Offered by Rental Car Companies?
Rental car companies tend to offer these optional types of rental car insurance coverage that you can purchase when you pick up your car. Keep in mind that you may already have these kinds of coverage from your car insurance, health insurance, or credit card company.
Does Rental Reimbursement Coverage Pay for Damages in a Rental?
Rental reimbursement refers to a type of car insurance that is optional. This coverage allows for reimbursement for the cost of renting a car only when your own car is in the shop due to damage from an accident .
What to do before renting a car?
Before you rent a car, call your credit card company to find out exactly what is covered.
Does liability insurance cover rental cars?
When you are driving a rental car and you are in an accident, liability insurance can cover the costs of repairs to the car and property, and medical bills for injuries to the other cars’ occupants, with collision coverage paying for the cost of damages to the rental car. However, you need to ensure your current liability and collision coverages apply to rental cars. If they don’t, your next step should be to check to see what your credit card covers (see below).
Does rental car insurance cover you?
Your regular auto insurance policy likely already covers you if you are renting a car. If you live in a state that requires liability insurance and you cause an accident while driving your rental car, liability insurance would cover the costs of damages to the other car and injuries to the other car’s driver and passengers .*
Where can I get rental car insurance?
Different companies sell car rental insurance. Your options include the following:
How many types of rental car insurance are there?
There are basically six types of car rental insurance coverage depending on their function. You’ll find insurance that protects the rental car, other people and their property, personal accidents, ...
How does my destination impact my car rental insurance needs?
A must-have is Third Party Liability Insurance, which covers damage done to other people or their properties. Another policy that you are strongly advised to add is the Collision Damage Waiver, which covers you in case of damages to the car. Make sure you ask about the Excess involved when adding a policy, and if the amount is particularly high, you can get Car Rental Excess Insurance to cover that. Additional insurance worth considering is Roadside Assistance, especially if you are in a foreign country, and Personal Accident Insurance, which covers your personal expenses in the case of an accident. When choosing which policies to add, take into consideration the roads you’ll be driving on as well as the climate, as rough terrain might require a higher level of insurance coverage.
What is liability insurance?
Liability Insurance can have many names, Extended Protection (EP), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), or Third Party Liability (TPL); it is an optional insurance policy you can add which covers you in case you damage other people’s property as well as medical costs for other people’s injuries in an accident you’re legally responsible for. In many countries outside of the US and Canada, this “third party” insurance is required to be provided by the rental company. In the US, it’s generally not included, but if you’re an auto-owner you may already have liability coverage through your personal auto insurance.
How to save money on a rental car?
Reading the terms and conditions of your rental agreement carefully and comparing your insurance options is the best way to save time and money, so that you can enjoy a hassle-free trip feeling safe and protected.
What is independent rental insurance?
Independent car rental insurance is an option that can be just as convenient without the hefty cost. Insurance companies have analyzed the requirements of car rental agencies and created coverage services for the vast majority of rental car scenarios. When looking at car rental options on KAYAK, you may see the option to add insurance ...
What does personal insurance cover?
Personal Insurance covers the driver or the policy holder. It can cover expenses in the event of an accident, like ambulance transportation and similar costs that stem from medical assistance. Likewise, the driver’s belongings can be covered using a Personal Effects insurance in the case of theft or loss.
What about credit card insurances?
Credit card companies are good at one thing, selling credit cards! Travel insurance and car rental insurance are often thrown in the marketing collateral to entice you to in. Before relying on insurance provided by your credit card company check the fine print VERY carefully.
What is supplemental liability insurance?
Supplementary Liability Coverage, as the name suggests, is additional. For a registered car rental company in the US, they must provide a minimum level of liability protection for cars they rent out. This will partly cover people injured and property damaged as a result of an accident you cause, up to a certain limit. The amount of cover provided by the rental company is the minimum required by law in each state (it varies greatly but on average about $80K) so it may not be enough to cover all costs in a major accident. See a list of the minimum personal liability coverage by state.
Do you need liability insurance for rental cars?
Check the minimum liability coverage by state and assess if this is enough to give you comfort. If not, add this insurance with the rental company either before you pick up the car of at the rental counter.
Does car rental insurance cover US?
You usually need to pay for the bulk of your trip using the relevant credit card to validate the travel insurance policy. The car rental insurance rarely extends to the US and if it does it will likely only apply to the Loss and Damage Waiver.
Does travel insurance cover luggage?
This covers your luggage and equipment in the vehicle from theft or damage and is usually bundled with personal accident insurance (see above). As a foreigner travelling the USA with travel insurance, your travel insurance policy should cover most items. If you want to cover high-value items, it is better adding these items to your travel insurance policy for your entire trip rather than taking out personal effects insurance just with the car rental.
Does a rental company charge for a breakdown?
For breakdowns, lost key replacement, or if you run out of fuel the rental company will offer you coverage for coming to your rescue at no cost. This may give you peace of mind, although the likelihood of this occurring is low, plus the rental company will still come to your rescue, they will just charge you a fee. Unless you are known for losing keys, running out of fuel etc you can probably run the risk of not getting this and simply wear the cost should this occur.
Does travel insurance cover personal liability?
It is important to be aware that your travel insurance DOES NOT cover personal liability insurance for car rental accidents where you are the driver at fault. This is a little-known fact and normally hidden deep within the fine print. Look for the clause surrounding personal liability. It will usually have a statement saying personal liability insurance excludes situations where you are in charge of a ‘motorised vehicle’. This broadly means rental cars.
Should You Get Additional Coverage?
You still want to know, “Should I insure my rental car?” It all really depends on the amount of coverage you currently have or don’t have.
Do I Need Rental Car Insurance If I Already Have Car Insurance?
If you already have auto insurance for your own vehicle, chances are you may not need to think about rental car insurance at all. That’s because some policies include coverage for when you drive a rented vehicle for pleasure. So why pay extra for something you already have?
What is rental car accident insurance?
Rental car company: Personal accident insurance takes care of medical bills for you and your passengers if you’re injured while driving the rental. It even includes death benefits for worst-case scenarios.
What is the bottom line when it comes to rental car insurance?
The bottom line when it comes to rental car insurance is to make sure you don’t pay for something you don’t need. But it’s also not worth taking unnecessary risks to save a buck.
What type of coverage will pay for any of your personal property (up to a certain amount) that is stolen from?
Rental car company: This type of coverage will pay for any of your personal property (up to a certain amount) that is stolen from the vehicle.
What does non owner car insurance cover?
Nonowner car insurance covers bodily injury and property damage in the event of an accident when you’re driving a car you don’t personally own. It also tends to be less expensive than standard insurance, which is good for your budget. If you’re looking for car insurance, check out one of our trusted professionals.
What is the maximum liability for a rental car?
Liability limits for rental cars is usually between $300,000 to $1 million.
What happens if you get a rental car damaged?
If the rental car is damaged or stolen and you have to file a claim, it will affect your premium the same as if the incident involved your own car.
Why do people need extra insurance when traveling abroad?
More people opt to buy the extra coverage when traveling abroad because of the increased risk of accidents due to different driving conditions and traffic laws. The additional coverage will also help you avoid the hassle of filing a claim in a foreign country.
