Buy Liability Insurance For Rental Car __TOP__
Here it comes across the counter: the contract you have to sign to get your rental car. The salesperson is pushing you hard to buy rental car insurance as your pen hovers over the paper. Collision damage waiver? Personal accident insurance? Do you need all this stuff? What does it even mean?
buy liability insurance for rental car
The most affordable way to ensure adequate protection in case of collision or theft is with third-party rental car insurance. The OneTrip Rental Car Protector from Allianz Global Assistance provides affordable collision loss/damage insurance coverage up to $50,000.
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. The Insurance Institute of America suggests buying "umbrella liability insurance," a low-cost policy added to your auto and homeowners (or renters) insurance that can provide extra protection while driving your car or a rental.iv
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.
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
In most instances, rental car insurance overlaps with your personal auto insurance policy and you won't need to pay for duplicate coverage. There may be situations where adding rental car insurance is worthwhile, so it's important to review your personal auto coverages. If you don't have a personal auto policy, you will need to purchase liability coverage through the rental car company.
Important note: If your personal auto policy includes liability, comprehensive, collision, and medical payments/personal injury protection, then you may not need rental car insurance. If you have a homeowners, renters, or condo policy, any personal belongings you keep in a rental car should be covered too.
Rental car insurance is separate coverage offered by a rental car company, whereas rental car reimbursement coverage is an optional coverage you can add to your personal auto insurance policy to help pay for rental car costs while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident.
Your personal auto insurance will cover most rental cars with the same coverage limits and deductibles. For example, if you carry comprehensive and collision coverage on your auto policy, you'll be protected against physical damage to your rental car. Your liability coverage will also apply when you get behind the wheel of your rental.
You don't need a personal auto policy to rent a car. If you don't have a personal policy, you'll be required to buy liability coverage through the rental car company. You will also have the option to add additional coverages, including collision and tire damage.
If you already have car insurance or rental car coverage through your credit card, then rental car insurance may not be worthwhile. There are a few instances, however, where adding rental car insurance could be beneficial and worth considering:
Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. Read our editorial standards for Answers content. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page.
In most instances, your personal auto policy will extend to any rental car you drive, so you won't need to pay for separate rental car insurance coverage. There may be situations where adding rental car insurance is worthwhile, so it's important to review your personal auto coverages. If you don't have a personal auto policy, you will need to purchase liability coverage through the rental car company.
When you rent a vehicle, the person at the rental counter will ask if you want to purchase rental car insurance. You can also buy rental car insurance online if you make your booking virtually. There usually are four types of insurance available, and you might need all four or none, depending on your circumstances.
Most car rental companies offer a collision damage waiver, liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage. Rental car insurance can be expensive. The rates are charged by the day and can add up for long-term rentals.
The Verdict: Most states regulate minimum liability insurance, so every rental should already come with this standard coverage. You only need to pay for this if you want additional coverage. Think of it as bodily injury liability and property damage liability, but just for rental vehicles.
Rental car insurance is coverage that protects people when they drive a rental car. You can get rental car insurance through your personal insurance policy, from your credit card benefits, or from the rental car company itself. Depending on the policy, rental car insurance may cover damage to the vehicle, damage or injuries that you cause, your own injuries, theft, and loss of personal items.
Rental car insurance is rarely worth it if your personal vehicle is insured and you pay for your rental car with a credit card. You may not have to purchase rental car insurance if you are traveling for business, either.
A collision damage waiver, often referred to as a loss damage waiver, will cover repairs if you cause any damage to your rental car. Coverage may exclude certain parts of the car, such as tires or the windshield, as well as certain causes of damage such as weather or damage while on private property.
Liability insurance covers damage to other vehicles, property and people as a result of accidents you cause when driving your rental car. Note that this does not cover you, your passengers or the rental vehicle itself.
The state minimum levels of liability insurance are included as part of the basic rental fee in almost every state. In these cases, any additional insurance you purchase will at most give you higher coverage limits. There are some exceptions, most notably in California, where rental companies are not required by law to include liability insurance.
Personal accident insurance covers the medical costs for injuries to anyone in your rental vehicle during an accident. Many rental companies in the U.S. include "personal effects" coverage within personal accident insurance.
Homeowners and renters policies usually cover personal possessions when they are outside of the home, including items stolen from a rental car. Though there are often limitations with high-end electronic equipment and cameras, this insurance is usually better than the daily rate coverage the rental company offers. Coverage may be denied if the rental or trip is for business purposes.
No, you do not need insurance to rent a car because rental companies have their own insurance. Rental car companies usually provide minimum liability coverage only, so if you don't have personal insurance, you'll probably want to purchase extra rental car insurance through the rental company. If your personal car is insured and you pay for your rental with a credit card, you can probably skip the optional coverage offered at the rental counter.
You don't have to purchase all of these coverage types to be protected while driving your rental. But minimum liability insurance carried by the rental car company isn't enough protection if you get into an accident.
Before you buy the rental company's insurance, you should consider what coverage you may already have through your personal car insurance. The coverage limits and deductibles you have on your personal vehicle typically still apply to rentals, as long as you're renting for personal use. Many major credit cards also offer coverage for rental cars if you pay with your card and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company. 041b061a72