Is it absolutely necessary to buy insurance when renting a car?
Monday, July 26th, 2010 at
10:45 pm
I am renting a car for 5 days. I’m not sure if my own personal car insurance covers for a rental, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t. Its almost 0 for the insurance that they offer! Seems like a trap. Is it absolutely necessary to purchase it? Thanks
Tagged with: Car Insurance • Insurance • Personal Car • Renting A Car
Filed under: Car Insurance
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It depends on your personal car insurance (for the car you drive at home). Most auto insurance packages will cover you even if you’re driving another car. Ask your insurance agent if yours does.
Even if your personal auto insurance covers you in a rental car, if you get in an accident you’ll still have to pay the deductible.
It’s really a crap shoot. If you’re a careful driver you *probably* won’t get into an accident, but if you do and someone’s hurt…
Check with your insurance agent first to see if your policy covers you in a rental car.
*****No, it is NOT necessary. Your current insurance policy should cover you in the event of a problem. This is simply an add-on sale for the rental company.
If it were a neccesary requirement, they would not give you a choice. You would have to take this insurance if they had no coverage!
Call your insurance provider. Most will cover rentals for up to a certain amount, regardless if you need it for an emergency (your regular car was totalled and in the shop for repairs) or if you’re using it to get around another town (on business or pleasure trip). It varies from company to company, and what kind of policy (how much coverage) you have. For example, with Geico if you have comprehension and collision coverage on your policy, they will normally transfer to the rental, if you’re using a rental to temporarily replace your own vehicle, while it is in the shop for repairs.
You can buy the rental company’s insurance, but it’s not always necessary. Their insurance really covers them more than it does you.
Not it’s not necessary if you have the cash to replace the car and the pay the lost revenue to the rental company, or if you have a crystal ball and can see into the future and somehow know that you will not put a mark, dent or scratch on it while you’re driving it. Personally, that isn’t a risk I’m willing to take. I always buy their coverage. That $15/day could be the best money you ever spent.