Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars?

When renting a car, it is important to make sure that your auto insurance covers the rental car. Your policy should cover both the damages and the bodily injury of another person if you get into an accident. Many rental companies also offer additional insurance coverage. Liability coverage is a common choice because it covers the damage to the other party’s property. auto insurance company quotes

Rental car coverage is important for several reasons. If you’re traveling out of town and aren’t comfortable driving a rental car, you’ll need insurance. Your policy should cover the cost of a rental car, towing fees, and diminished value claims. However, you’ll have to pay a deductible if you file a claim. Additionally, your insurance company will consider the number of rental car claims you’ve made in the past. This may affect your ability to qualify for discounts or other benefits.

If you have collision or loss damage coverage, your policy may cover rental car costs. But, if the rental car is stolen or damaged due to your negligence, your policy may not cover it. You can also choose to purchase a loss damage waiver, which waives your responsibility for the damages and repairs of a rental vehicle. However, these insurances may not cover accidents caused by speeding or driving on unpaved roads. Also, they may duplicate your existing coverage. So, you’ll need to make sure that your policy covers rental cars, because the costs could rise dramatically if you need to file a claim.

Rental reimbursement coverage is a great option that many insured drivers overlook. This coverage can be incredibly helpful when you need to replace your vehicle, and it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind. The average car repair process can take as long as two weeks, so renting a vehicle can be a costly proposition. Rental reimbursement coverage is available in most auto insurance policies for a nominal additional premium.

If you’re planning on renting a car for business or pleasure, you can check your auto insurance policy to see if it covers rental reimbursement. Most of the time, rental reimbursement is limited to reimbursement of rental expenses for your personal vehicle. If you’re in an accident, your rental reimbursement coverage will cover the rental car while your car is in the garage. But, it won’t cover vacation rentals.

Credit cards can also provide rental car insurance. Some will reimburse you for the rental cost in the event of theft or damage to the rental car. But, it’s important to know that your credit card’s rental coverage is secondary to your own policy.