When renting a car/suv, do I take the insurance ? ....

joeinid

joeinid

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I don't often rent a vehicle but when I do, I've been taking the insurance. I've heard that either my insurance or depending on the credit card used, I'm covered and the rental company insurance is a waste of money. Can it ever go against me to take the insurance? Any help and tips are appreciated. Thanks!
 
joeinid said:
I don't often rent a vehicle but when I do, I've been taking the insurance. I've heard that either my insurance or depending on the credit card used, I'm covered and the rental company insurance is a waste of money. Can it ever go against me to take the insurance? Any help and tips are appreciated. Thanks!
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You may want contact your insurance company but it is my understanding you would covered.

If you don't own a car and therefore have no policy you would take the insurance from the rental company.
 
Hey Joe,

I usually never get insurance when I rent a car. But check your CC insurance policy, you may only be covered for certain car classes and not others. Recently rented from Enterprise and they said my CC insurance does not cover liability, so something else to consider. Like everything else, the devil's in the details...:dry:
 
My car insurance covers whatever I am driving in all respects.

I think the rental company's insurance is a waste of money, but I get it anyway because if anything happens, when I return the car, however it looks, I'm done with it.
 
GaryProtein said:
but I get it anyway because if anything happens, when I return the car, however it looks, I'm done with it.
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Very valid point Gary. The "hassle factor" of not doing so could be very much a consuming event otherwise.

I too generally take the offered insurance (to avoid the aforementioned hassle-factor) unless it's completely sky high in cost.
 
Joe-As some have told you, check with your CC company and see if they cover your rental car. Many CCs do cover a rental car in case something happens.
 
Thanks everyone. It makes sense to call the CC company. This past weekend I rented an suv to carry some audio gear. All in all, it was fun to drive a new car for a few days.
 
My auto insurance with AAA covers rental cars, so I decline. Recently I rented from Enterprise and they surprised me with a new one: insurance to cover the loss of their use of the car in the event of an accident while it is being repaired, for the benefit of Enterprise. Cost was more than double the rental fee! I considered it a rip-off and declined. Since my AAA policy would provide a rental car should my own vehicle be damaged, I figured I didn't need it, but not sure. Having pre-booked a particular car which didn't seem to be available when arrived, I resented and detest the barrage of "up-sell" efforts by the agent and will probably not rent from them again.
 
I have American Family and I was told by my agent that I am fully covered with the same insurance I carry on my primary vehicle when I rent a car.
 
Check your car insurance policy or call your insurance company to find out which coverages extend to your rental car. The limits and deductibles on your policy still apply to your rental car so long as you drive it for personal use. If it's a commercial or business rental, your personal car insurance coverage may not apply. It's best to double check.

If you have reliable car insurance, renters/home insurance, and health insurance, you can save a good chunk of change by declining the other 3 coverages. Here's why:

  • When you buy car insurance, you're required to buy a state-mandated amount of liability coverage (except in New Hampshire, where it's optional), meaning you likely won't need to add it at the counter.
  • If you have health insurance, consider declining personal accident insurance if your health plan covers accident-related injuries. If you have personal injury protection and/or medical payments coverage on your car insurance policy, it would also offer the same protection if an accident occurs.
  • And finally, if you have renters or homeowners insurance with off-premises coverage, your things are already insured before you stash them in the rental car. So consider declining personal effects coverage as well.
 
Also, most credit card companies will also cover you if you rent the car using their card. I know my Capital One an chase cards do that, as well as my regular car insurance policy. I also decline the extra unnecessary charges.
 
MtnHam said:
My auto insurance with AAA covers rental cars, so I decline. Recently I rented from Enterprise and they surprised me with a new one: insurance to cover the loss of their use of the car in the event of an accident while it is being repaired, for the benefit of Enterprise. Cost was more than double the rental fee! I considered it a rip-off and declined. Since my AAA policy would provide a rental car should my own vehicle be damaged, I figured I didn't need it, but not sure. Having pre-booked a particular car which didn't seem to be available when arrived, I resented and detest the barrage of "up-sell" efforts by the agent and will probably not rent from them again.
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i used to rent cars regularly as my pathfinder was a pos and i didnt trust it on long trips but was fine for around town. enterprise is a huge scam and i finally had to go elsewhere. they have every excuse in the world why you need to take their insurance. then they charged my credit card $100 for dog hair removal and to clean the car because it was smoked in. at the time i did not smoke and was the only passenger in the vehicle. when i told the girl that she basically called me a liar. and they never told me before hand that i couldnt have a pet in the car. hell i would have vacuumed it out if i knew that.
and i never once got the car i reserved. reminded me of that seinfeld episode.
"yes give me the insurance because im going to beat the hell out of this car" lmao!!!
 
I use Thrifty almost every time I travel. I am a blue chip member and never have to wait in line. They never pressure me for insurance or to upgrade. When you rent a class of car, you get to pick from the cars available in the lot. They also have some of the best rental prices.
 
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