{"id":3354,"date":"2022-11-08T15:11:04","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T20:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petruzelo.com\/blog\/?p=3354"},"modified":"2023-03-10T14:37:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T19:37:23","slug":"does-my-auto-insurance-cover-rental-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petruzelo.com\/blog\/does-my-auto-insurance-cover-rental-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re like many travelers, you may reach your destination and head for the rental car desk. Sometime during the process of renting a car, the agent asks, \u201cWould you like to take the optional insurance?\u201d And you think to yourself, \u201cDoes my auto insurance<\/strong><\/a> cover rental cars?\u201d If you\u2019re safety minded, you may choose to pay for the rental company\u2019s extra insurance, uncertain if you\u2019ll be on the hook if you get into an accident with the rental car. Is this the right decision? Are you double-paying? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So DOES My Auto Insurance Include Coverage for Rentals?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The answer is \u201cit depends.\u201d In some cases, your personal auto insurance policy may include coverage of rental cars, but unless you check specifically, it\u2019s impossible to be certain. (And please don\u2019t assume that\u2019s the case without checking.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your current auto insurance policy<\/strong><\/a> includes comprehensive and collision coverage, it\u2019s probable \u2013 but not guaranteed \u2013 that it will cover repairs for a rental vehicle as well as liability coverage. It\u2019s a good idea to check with your insurance agent and review your policy before you pick up your rental car so you can know for certain (and avoid spending an hour on hold with your insurance company<\/strong><\/a> while standing at the car rental desk). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Insurance Covers Rentals. Should I Still Take the Insurance Option?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019ve established that your own personal auto insurance policy<\/strong><\/a> covers rental vehicles, it\u2019s not a bad idea to pay the rental company extra for the insurance option if you can afford it. Since the policy will be local to where you\u2019re renting the car, any claims will be faster and easier, and the administrative footwork will be borne by the rental company instead of you. (This is particularly true if you\u2019re in a foreign country.) You\u2019ll also be avoiding the risk that the accident will send your own policy premiums soaring. Rental car coverage from the rental company is not cheap, however, so you\u2019ll need to take some time to weigh the costs and benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Confuse Rental Coverage with Rental Reimbursement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an easy mistake to make: you think you\u2019ve read something about rental cars in your current policy, so you assume they are covered. What you may have read is that your policy offers rental reimbursement as an add-on feature, which means that the insurance company<\/strong><\/a> will pay for a rental for you when your own vehicle is in the shop. This is not the same thing as covering damage to a vehicle you\u2019ve rented for personal or business use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Mindful of the Type of Car You Rent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because your personal auto policy covers damage and liability for your 2015 Honda Civic does not mean it\u2019s going to extend to a car of higher value. If you\u2019re on a bachelor or bachelorette weekend and rent a Porsche for fun, don\u2019t expect your current policy is going to cover the vastly larger repair bill for a specialty or luxury vehicle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check With Your Credit Card Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if your current auto policy doesn\u2019t cover rentals, some credit cards do offer rental coverage as a perk to using the card. Check the fine print of your credit card agreement or call your card company and ask. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk to a Professional Insurance Agent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Connecticut, Petruzelo Insurance offers personal and business policies<\/a>, including auto insurance, that fit your needs. Call us at 866-479-3327 or visit our website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n