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. Show
Key Things to Know About Rental Car Insurance
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Currently Insured? Find Insurers Table of Contents Is Rental Car Insurance Worth It?Types of Rental Car InsuranceRental Car Insurance You May Already HaveWhen to Buy Rental Car InsuranceVideo: Rental Car Insurance BasicsRental Car Insurance FAQIs Rental Car Insurance Worth It?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. Why you might not have to buy extra rental car insurance:
Learn more about whether you need rental car insurance. Types of Rental Car InsuranceThe most common types of insurance offered by rental car companies are as follows: Collision Damage WaiverA collision damage waiver, often referred to as or 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.
Learn more about collision damage waivers. Rental Car Liability InsuranceLiability 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 InsurancePersonal 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.
Personal Effects CoveragePersonal items – such as clothing and luggage – stolen from the rental vehicle, or lost when a rental vehicle is stolen, are covered by this option. Expensive electronics (especially cameras) may be subject to limits and exclusions.
Cost of Rental Car Insurance Coverage by CompanyCoverage TypeBudgetEnterpriseHertzDamage Waiver$17$15$16Personal Accident and Effects$6$5$6Liability$14$13$14 Note: Quotes were averaged across major cities for an economy-sized vehicle. Learn more about rental car insurance costs. Car Rental Insurance You May Already HaveBefore purchasing additional insurance, begin with an inventory of the coverage you might already be paying for. Personal Auto InsuranceMost personal auto insurance policies will cover you when you are driving a rental car. If you’re not sure about what your policy covers, check with your insurer or agent. Keep in mind that getting the same coverage doesn’t mean you’ll get extra coverage when driving a rental. For example, if you don’t carry collision insurance on your personal policy, you won’t have any coverage for damage you cause to the rental car. If you have both collision and comprehensive coverage on your insurance policy, don’t forget that you’re probably also responsible for a deductible. Also be aware that auto insurance typically only covers personal (non-business) use of cars. While traveling for business however, you may be covered by your employer’s insurance. Personal Health InsuranceWhile making decisions at the rental counter, don’t overlook your health insurance policy, if you have one. Most health insurance plans will cover any health care you need while traveling in the U.S. – and sometimes in many other countries. Make sure you understand your policy's terms, especially for traveling outside the U.S. As with your auto policy, remember that if you’re relying on your health insurance and you need medical treatment after an accident, you will be responsible for the health policy’s deductibles and copays. Credit Card BenefitsBy reserving and paying for your rental car with a major credit card, you generally will get coverage for theft or damage to that vehicle, among other benefits. Here’s how this protection works:
For details on each major card network’s rental car coverage, take a look at WalletHub’s picks for the best credit card rental car insurance. Homeowners or Renters InsuranceHomeowners 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. Travel InsuranceIf you are already purchasing travel insurance, this may provide you sufficient medical and personal effects coverage. Make sure not to get duplicate rental car insurance. Non-Owner Car InsurancePeople who don’t own a car can still get car insurance of their own, by purchasing a non-owner policy. For people who frequently rent cars, this can be far more affordable than buying the rental company’s policy for each rental. When You Should Buy Extra Car Rental InsuranceWith all of the alternatives available, is there any reason to purchase insurance from the rental agency? There are a few worth considering:
Video: Rental Car Insurance BasicsRental Car Insurance FAQ(115 questions)Ask Your Question Most Popular
Questions sort 13 Reply 13 0 Anamarie Waite, Car Insurance Writer @anamarie.waite 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. Coverage Offered by Rental Car Companies
Covers: Damage to the rental car in an accident Similar to: Collision and comprehensive
Covers: Damage and injuries to the other driver from an accident you cause Similar to: Bodily injury and property damage liability
Covers: Medical costs for injuries to you and your passengers Similar to: Personal injury protection, MedPay and health insurance
Covers: Personal items stolen out of the rental car Similar to: Homeowner's or renter's insurance 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. When You Don't Need The Rental Company's Insurance 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. 1 0 View more answers How does rental car liability insurance work?12 UpvotesReply 12 1 WalletHub @WalletHub Rental car liability insurance is coverage that pays for injuries or property damage that you cause in an accident when you are driving a rental car. Rental car liability insurance does not protect you or your rental car from collision damage, car theft, loss of personal effects, or injuries. Should You Get Rental Car Liability Insurance? In most states, some rental car liability insurance is included with the rental. However, the state-mandated minimum insurance that these cars carry might not be enough to protect you from the financial repercussions of an accident. Because of this minimal coverage, rental companies sell supplemental liability insurance at the counter. Rental car companies also offer other types of coverage like loss damage waivers, roadside assistance, and personal accident insurance. You might already have rental car insurance through your current insurance coverage or your credit card, however. Your current auto insurance policy likely extends its liability coverage to rental cars, whereas credit cards often provide the equivalent of comprehensive or collision coverage but no liability coverage. When Your Standard Insurance Covers Rental Cars
When Your Credit Card Covers Rental Cars Some credit cards, including many travel rewards cards, provide rental car insurance if you use the card to pay. Here are some key things to know about how credit cards cover rentals:
Getting Rental Car Liability From the Rental Company If you do not have a personal car insurance policy and your credit card doesn't cover you, you can purchase supplemental liability insurance from the rental car company. However, this can quickly get expensive, especially since liability insurance for the rental car is sold separately from other coverage. If you rent cars frequently, it might be more efficient to buy rental car liability insurance from another source. For instance, travel insurance companies offer rental car liability insurance, often at lower prices. You can also buy a non-owner car insurance policy, which offers liability coverage. Another option is to compare credit cards that covers rental cars 0 0 View more answers What is third party rental car insurance?11 UpvotesReply 11 0 WalletHub @WalletHub Third-party rental car insurance is coverage provided by a company other than the rental car vendor. Major third-party rental car insurance companies include Allianz and Bonzah, though online travel agencies and travel insurance companies usually offer third-party rental car coverage as well. Key Things to Know About Third-Party Rental Car Insurance If you need rental car insurance, buying from a third party is normally much cheaper than buying additional coverage directly from the car rental company. Buying enough coverage is very important, too. Although the mandatory minimum liability insurance is automatically included when you rent a car in most states, this bare-bones coverage is probably not enough to protect you if you get into a serious accident. On that note, Bonzah is the only major third-party rental car insurance company that offers supplemental liability insurance. The other insurers offer the equivalent of comprehensive and collision coverage, along with some other benefits. Third-Party Rental Car Insurance Companies Allianz
Bonzah
Insure My Rental Car
P'teet
Rental Cover
Sure
Even if you have car insurance that already covers rental cars, buying coverage from a third-party rental car insurance company can keep you from paying a deductible or from driving up your rates if you need to file a claim. Frequent car renters can also buy annual rental car insurance from Insure My Rental Car and P'teet. What to Look For When Buying Third-Party Rental Car Insurance If you plan to buy third-party rental car insurance, be sure to check coverage options and restrictions. Third-party companies often exclude unusual vehicles like limousines or motorhomes, or the coverage may be geographically limited. The many credit cards that offer rental car insurance have similar restrictions, by the way. Some also require you to file a claim with your normal car insurance company first. Finally, if you are looking for a wider variety of coverage for an entire trip, travel insurance companies like Generali and Travel Guard offer rental car coverage in certain packages. 0 0 Do I need rental car insurance?12 UpvotesReply 12 0 WalletHub @WalletHub You need some form of insurance to drive a rental car, but you only need to buy extra car insurance from the rental car company if you don't have personal auto insurance or you're traveling internationally. Standard car insurance policies usually extend to rental cars, so most drivers are already covered. Many credit cards also provide insurance against damage to the rental car itself. You Might Need to Buy Rental Car Insurance If You:
If your car rental is covered by your standard insurance and you're willing to pay your normal deductible, it's fine to go without separate rental car insurance. In this case, just be sure to ask your insurer about any exclusions before the rental begins. It's also worth noting that even if your standard car insurance policy only includes liability coverage, you might be protected in other ways. For instance, some credit cards allow you to file claims for damage to a rental car, while homeowners, condo, or renters policies cover personal possessions. In other words, you should consider your current insurance policies before deciding if you need rental car insurance. Additionally, if you plan on using a credit card as coverage, be sure you know about any exclusions and actions you need to take for the coverage to apply, such as declining the rental car company's insurance options. For more details, check out WalletHub's complete guide to rental car insurance. 0 0 Does USAA offer rental car insurance?18 UpvotesReply 18 0 WalletHub @WalletHub Yes, USAA offers rental car insurance. If you already have a personal auto policy with USAA that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, this insurance will likely extend to cover your rental car. If you only have liability insurance with USAA, physical damage to the rental vehicle will not be covered. You can talk to a USAA customer service representative at 1 (800) 531-8722 to see if your personal policy will extend to your rental car. If you do not have sufficient coverage through USAA to cover your rental car, you can purchase insurance from your rental car company, or see if it is offered by your credit card company. USAA Rental Car Coverage Liability Insurance. USAA liability insurance will usually extend to your rental as long as you are driving in the U.S. Your personal liability insurance will pay for others' medical expenses and repairs to others' property resulting from an accident you caused in your rental vehicle. Collision and Comprehensive Insurance. If you have collision and comprehensive insurance with USAA, this will typically cover any damage that occurs to the rental vehicle itself during your rental period. However, your USAA collision and comprehensive coverage limits may not be high enough if you are renting a car with a much higher value than your personal vehicle and the car gets totaled. Personal Injury Protection or MedPay. If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay through your personal auto policy, medical expenses for you and your passengers will be covered even after a rental car accident. If you do not have either type of coverage, you can purchase personal accident insurance through the rental car company. USAA also offers rental car reimbursement coverage, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your personal vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim. If you add rental reimbursement to your policy, USAA will pay dependent on the rental vehicle toward the cost of your rental, up to 30 days or $900 per claim. You select specific rental car reimbursement limits when you purchase the add-on. For example, if you choose $25 per day/$600 per loss as your rental reimbursement limits, USAA will pay up to $25 per day, but no more than $600 per claim for your rental. You're covered for a rental when your vehicle repairs are started, or immediately if your vehicle isn't drivable. To learn more, check out reviews of Geico on WalletHub, as well as our guide to rental car insurance. Is insurance included in Avis?Avis provides liability coverage for its vehicles as required by applicable law. In most instances, this will include coverage for the renter or authorized driver up to the financial responsibility limits of the applicable jurisdiction at no additional charge.
What is Avis LDW coverage?A Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) waives or limits your liability when a car you have rented is lost or damaged. You benefit from maximum protection as long as you comply with the Avis rental agreement. Renters who have paid for an LDW will not have to cover expenses related to the car's damage.
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