Do I need separate Rental car insurance? Will my auto insurance policy cover a Rental vehicle?
At the Rental Car Counter
Since insurance is state regulated, the cost and coverage will vary
from state to state. Consumers, however, can generally choose from the
following coverages:
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) Also referred to as a collision damage waiver outside the U.S., an
LDW is not technically an insurance product. LDWs do, however, relieve
or “waive” renters of financial responsibility if their rental car is
damaged or stolen. In some cases, waivers also provide coverage for
“loss of use,” in the event the rental car company charges the renter
for the time a damaged car can not be used because it is being fixed. It
may also cover towing and administrative fees. These are some general guidelines every rental contract is different. Review your own contract to determine the contents.
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Waivers, however, may become void if the accident was caused by
speeding, driving on unpaved roads or driving while intoxicated. If you
already have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, check
with your personal auto insurer to make sure you are not duplicating
coverage you already have. Should you decide it is necessary, this
coverage generally costs between $9 and $19 a day. Auto insurance quote Louisville KY
- Liability Insurance
According to some state laws, but not all, rental companies must provide the state required amount of
liability insurance. Generally, these amounts are low and do not provide
much protection. If you have adequate amounts of liability protection
on your own car, you may consider forgoing additional liability
protection. If you want the supplemental insurance, it will cost between
$7 and $14 a day.
Those who do not own their own car and are frequent car renters, can
also consider purchasing a non-owner liability policy. This not only
provides liability protection when you rent a car, but also when you
borrow someone else’s car.
- Personal Accident Insurance
Personal Accident Insurance offers coverage to you and your
passengers for medical and ambulance bills for injuries caused in a car
crash. If you have adequate health insurance or are covered by personal
injury protection under your own car insurance, you may not need this
additional insurance. It usually costs about $1 to $5 a day.
- Personal Effects Coverage
Personal Effects Coverage provides insurance protection for the
theft of items in your car. If you have a homeowners or renters
insurance policy that includes off-premises theft coverage, you are
generally covered for theft of your belongings away from home, minus the
deductible. If you purchase this coverage through the rental car
company, it generally costs between $1 and $4 a day.
If you frequently travel with expensive items such as jewelry,
cameras, musical equipment or sports equipment, it may be more
cost-effective to purchase a personal articles floater under your
homeowners or renters insurance policy. With such a floater, your
valuable items are protected at home as well as while traveling anywhere
in the world and the coverage is broader.
Auto Insurance Quote Louisville KY
Other Things to Consider
States have minimum age requirements for renting a car and most major
rental car companies refuse to rent a car to someone who is under 21
and in some cases under 25. In addition, some rental car companies now
investigate your driving record and/or credit history so check with the
rental car company before picking up the car.
If you are planning to rent a car abroad there may not be any insurance coverage, contact both your insurance
agent and travel agent to find out what you need to do to be properly
insured. Those driving a rental car from the U.S. into Mexico may find
it progressively more difficult to rent a car as U.S. rental car
companies are increasingly concerned about the rising crime rates in
that country. The minimum required insurance coverage to drive in Mexico
is civil liability insurance which covers you in case you cause injury
or damage. Your American liability insurance is not valid in Mexico for
bodily injury, though some American insurance policies will cover you
for physical damage—check with your agent or insurance company
representative. You can also buy Mexican car insurance in several
American border towns; there are generally several storefronts selling
Mexican car insurance near the border.
Cheap Car Insurance Louisville KY . Every auto insurance policy is different, review your own auto insurance policy first to determine if there is auto insurance coverage for a rental.
Call your insurance agent first before Renting a vehicle. Every insurance policy is different, your auto insurance policy may not cover a rental vehicle. If you would like more information about auto insurance contact Dick Watts Insurance 12200 Shelbyville Road Louisville KY 40243 502-245-3625
