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HOW CAR RENTAL INSURANCE WORKS

A-Z Tours International

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
  http://www.a-ztours.com
What is Rental Car Insurance?

Car rental Insurance is coverage to protect you and the car rental company when driving their car. You may already have insurance coverage through your own personal auto insurance policy, or as part of your credit card benefits. If not you can purchase coverage through the car rental company. Depending on the policy car rental insurance can cover loss of or damage to the vehicle, damage or injuries that you cause to other vehicles your own injuries, theft, and loss of personal items.



How Car Rental Insurance Works – What does it Cover?

Coverage for loss of or damage to the vehicle you are renting - Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver means that if your rental car is damaged or stolen, you don't have to pay to repair or replace it. These waivers usually have a deductable.

- And coverage for loss of and damage to the vehicle and bodily injury to third parties - third party liability - Liability and CDW - Liability insurance typically covers damages to other people's property (eg. their cars) as well as medical costs for other people's injuries in an accident you're legally responsible for.

- 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. This could already be covered under your own health, life or travel insurance.

- Personal effects coverage covers the theft of possessions from the rental car, up to a set dollar limit. If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy or travel insurance with baggage loss/damage benefits you may also be covered for loss of personal items stolen from your car while traveling.



First and foremost you need to check what coverage you already have.

1. Check what your personal car insurance covers, and if it covers you for car rental at the destination you are traveling to and exactly what it would cover.

2. Does your credit card that you will use to book the car have any car rental insurance coverage and again exactly what that would be.

Your personal auto insurance will usually extend to rental cars, check with them to see what coverage you have, and it might be cheaper to add insurance for what is not covered with them than with the rental company.

If the trip is a business trip check with your company to see if they have a business auto insurance policy that might cover your rental.

Other alternatives to car rental insurance are non-owner car insurance, temporary car insurance, and travel insurance.



Is Car Rental Insurance necessary?

Absolutely necessary, without coverage you would be liable for the loss of or any damage to the vehicle however minor. Of course if there are any injuries as part of an accident you would be fully liable for any damages to the third party.



Does my car insurance cover rental cars outside the US?

Most U.S. auto insurers don't cover you while you're driving abroad, with the possible exceptions of Canada and Mexico. You may need to purchase the insurance directly from the car rental company unless your credit card offers rental car insurance.



Can you travel internationally with a rental car?

You may need to pay a cross-border fee to take the car into another country. Check with the rental company on the rules before your travel.



How does car insurance work internationally?

To travel internationally you may need an international Driving permit which you can obtain from your home countries automobile licensing department. Check if you need one for the destination you are going to. An international car insurance policy uses your regular drivers license from your country of nationality.



Can you drive a rental car between countries in Europe?

Throughout Europe car rental companies generally allow you to drive their vehicles into other neighbouring countries. Check if there are any cross border fees for the countries you will be driving through.



Summary:

When you sign the contract the salesperson will likely try to sell you all the coverages, however, they are optional and it is up to you to choose what to cover, and to check to make sure you are not paying double for insurance you already have covered either through your own personal insurance or through your credit card.

If you're a frequent traveler, an annual travel insurance plan may be your best bet to protect your rental car, your baggage and your finances.

The easiest way to know what you need before standing at the car rental counter is to figure out what you need before you leave home. Check your car insurance coverage and your credit card coverage options and if you click yes to the options at the rental agency and have second thoughts stop by their nearest office the next day and see if you cancel the options you don't need.




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