Is the extra insurance on car rentals really necessary?
Find answers to your legal question.
Is the extra insurance on car rentals really necessary?
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I never opt for it (because I have full coverage on my own car), but then get nervous and regret it (even though nothing has ever happened). They seem to try to scare you into it. Does anyone REALLY know if it is needed?
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Mad Jack
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I would ask your insurance agent. They can tell you if your current full coverage insurance covers you while driving a rental car.
Many times your full coverage insurance will cover you while driving a rental. However, the extent of the coverage can vary between insurance companies and policies. Your insurance agent will be able to explain the details. |
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♥~*Momma Bear*~♥
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It is not needed. Whenever you rent a vehicle your full coverage carries over to the rental. This is a scam and this is how rental companies make their money. Don't ever buy it, I never have. |
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David W
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Whatever coverage (liability, medical, uninsured, comp/collision) you have on your personal car carries over to the rental. If you take the rental coverage, you're really paying twice, and the rental companies love it--it's almost free money! |
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bestcarrentaltips
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You should check your personal coverage on your auto insurance to see if your coverage specifically extends to a rental car and to what extent you are covered.
If you have liability insurance you are covered, but only for liability. Liability insurance covers the renter and passengers but not the rental vehicle itself. Liability insurance covers you in whatever vehicle you drive, This includes personal coverage for you while you are in a rental car. Your insurance company will cover any damages you cause to anyone else (property and injury), up to the minimum legal limits required by law or the limits on your policy, if different.
What you want to check is to see if you are covered in any way for damage to the rental car itself. Talk to your insurance agent. The same coverage and deductibles you carry on your car may apply — in most cases — to a vehicle you rent. Be careful. If your policy provides minimum coverage, you may need to calculate the value of the loss or damage of a vehicle like the rental car and decide if you need to supplement it. Your personal insurance may only provide a coverage limit equal to the value of your own vehicle. If the value of your personal vehicle is less than that of the rental vehicle, you could still incur some damage responsibility.
If you decline LDW at the rental counter and rely on your personal coverages, remember, you probably would be responsible for paying your usual deductible. Also, a loss-of-use fee is not normally covered by personal auto insurance policies. (Loss of use is a fee charged by the car rental companies for every day that their vehicle is in repair and can't be rented).
You should also check with your credit card issuer to see if you have any insurance coverage for the rental when you use that card.
If you feel you are not adequately covered for the rental car, in case of damage or theft, through your own insurance or your credit card - you may want to purchase the optional loss damage waiver that is sold by the car rental company. |
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Robert D
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It is a good idea if you can afford it. I was renting a car and the counter person explained it to me, I reluctantly got the additional insurance, an hour or so later a rock hit my windshield, a small crack, expanded from the top to bottom. Had I not gotten the ins. My insurance would have paid for it after my deductible,which is $250. out of my pocket.
It is a crapshoot gamble. |
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Jinky O
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Yes, extra insurance on car rentals is really needed. |
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calipink22
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It's only REALLY needed if you do not have coverage on your personal auto policy that will extend to the rental car. If you do not have coverage on your own car you cannot get a rental car. It's always best to use your own insurance company anyway, if you're in an accident in the rental car and you use their provided insurance then they'll take forever fixing the car and charge you for their loss of use of the vehicle. But yes it's REALLY needed if you don't have insurance |
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Corean B
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Trixie, There are lots of places where you can get an online quote. http://www.goodinternetdeals.com/Auto-Insurance.html It only takes roughly 10 minutes to do. |
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oklatom
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Full coverage on your car doesn't necessarily cover any other car (including rental cars) that you drive.
The rental comes with basic insurance that cover things that aren't your fault. Think of the extra insurance as collision that will cover things that are your fault.
Needed? No. Good idea? Sometimes. Check with your own insurance to see if you can get rental coverage cheaper. |
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Silverstang
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Yes its needed, if you wreck the car, you just bought it... |
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