All About Rental Car Insurance

When renting a car, the rental agent may try to pressure you into purchasing their insurance package. While you need to make sure that you are covered in case of an accident, don't rush into any offer by the rental company. By having all of the information about how you may already be protected and what protection their plans offer, you will be able to make an educated decision on what coverage to get.

Your own auto insurance policy may cover rental cars. This coverage, usually collision and comprehensive, is valid in any state, even any country you may be visiting. It is even possible to purchase non-owner insurance that will cover you in any car that you may be driving. It is important, however, to make sure you have adequate coverage before driving a rented vehicle.

One common mistake people make when renting a car is relying on their credit card's insurance policy. It is important to get all of the details about what exactly your credit card's plan covers. Certain credit cards only deal with particular rental agencies. Other cards require you to specially enroll in these insurance programs. Credit card insurance can vary depending on what kind of coverage you need, what kind of car you drive, and some cards will only reimburse you for the deductible of your existing car insurance. Many cards do not cover you in the event of bodily injury or property damage. While it is possible that the insurance provided by your credit card is adequate to your needs, it is important to get all the fact, to read the fine print, and make sure that you are not leaving yourself exposed.

Loss damage waivers, the typical name for the insurance provided by the rental car agency, is not always enough to protect you. These policies vary on how much they cover, whether or not they cover the contents of the car as well as the car itself, even which situations are applicable to receive the benefits of the plan. Again, it is important to have all the information and to make sure that the rental policy has the coverage you need.

Sometimes your own personal policy is not enough to cover yourself in the event of an accident or theft. You have two options in this scenario. The first is to call up your insurance company and add coverage to your policy. While it might seem like a waste of money to upgrade your benefits simply for one trip, it may end up being a valuable investment. The other option is to use the rental agency's insurance plans or your credit card plan to fill in whatever gaps exist in your own coverage. Remember, also, that some losses can be covered by other areas of your insurance portfolio. Theft of personal items, for example, may be covered under different policies you may own.

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