How Necessary is Insurance for Car Rentals

insurance for car rentalRenting a car is a common part of going on a trip. Whether you are going on vacation or on a business trip, renting a car is one of the first things that people do once they arrive to their destination. And, you know that when you get up to the counter you are going to be asked one very important question – “Do you want to add rental car insurance coverage to your agreement?”

If you are like many people, you probably are not sure if you need to get the extra insurance coverage or not. Are you covered by your current car insurance provider? Does your credit card offer you coverage? What about your travel insurance policy?

The truth is that depending on who you talk to, they will tell you a different opinion on whether or not you need insurance for car rentals. Some people think it is good to have, while others think that it is a scam by the rental car companies. So, asking around may not be of much help.

What you can do is do your homework before you get to the rental car desk. Talk to your auto insurance provider and ask them if you are covered for rental car insurance. You can also talk to your credit card company to see about your options. Either way, you need to find out if you are covered or not before you rent the car. This is why it is best to figure out your insurance needs when you are in the process of planning your trip.

But, if you do find yourself in a situation where you are not sure if you need the coverage, go on the side of caution. If you get into an accident and then come to realize that you actually don’t have insurance coverage and declined the coverage option from the rental car company, you will be personally liable for the damage. And, for most of us, the odds are that you can’t afford to take on that expense.

If you do opt for the rental car insurance coverage, there are a number of benefits that you will get out of it:

  1. Peace of mind: Accepting the coverage from the insurance company, especially if you are not sure if you are covered by your auto insurer. This will give you peace of mind in knowing that you will be covered if something does happen to the car.
  2. No Surprises: Opting for the coverage will ensure that you won’t have any surprises when you return the car. The last thing you want to deal with is a damage claim from the rental car company.
  3. Coverage is not that expensive: When you look at it on the surface, opting for the coverage is not that expensive, especially when you consider the potential repercussions if you get into an accident and don’t have proper coverage in place.

The need for rental car insurance will vary from person to person. Do your homework and talk to your insurance company about your coverage options before you get to the rental car counter.

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