Rental Car Insurance: Do You Need It? (2024)

In most instances, rental car insurance overlaps with your personal auto insurance policy and you won't need to pay for duplicate coverage. There may be situations where adding rental car insurance is worthwhile, so it's important to review your personal auto coverages. If you don't have a personal auto policy, you will need to purchase liability coverage through the rental car company.

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Rental Car Insurance: Do You Need It? (2)

What is rental car insurance?

Rental car insurance refers to the coverage an agency may offer you when you rent a car. This coverage may include:

  • Liability: Covers you for damages or injuries you cause while driving the rental.
  • Loss/collision damage waiver: A loss-damage waiver (or collision damage waiver) releases you from responsibility for damage that occurs to the rental car, including theft and vandalism.
  • Personal accident insurance: Personal accident coverage protects against injuries to you and your passengers while driving a rental car.
  • Personal effects coverage: Personal effects coverage covers your personal items if stolen from a rental car.

Important note: If your personal auto policy includes liability, comprehensive, collision, and medical payments/personal injury protection, then you may not need rental car insurance. If you have a homeowners, renters, or condo policy, any personal belongings you keep in a rental car should be covered too.

Rental car insurance vs. rental car reimbursem*nt

Rental car insurance is separate coverage offered by a rental car company, whereas rental car reimbursem*nt coverage is an optional coverage you can add to your personal auto insurance policy to help pay for rental car costs while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident.

Does my auto insurance cover rental cars?

Your personal auto insurance will cover most rental cars with the same coverage limits and deductibles. For example, if you carry comprehensive and collision coverage on your auto policy, you'll be protected against physical damage to your rental car. Your liability coverage will also apply when you get behind the wheel of your rental.

Do you need car insurance to rent a car?

You don't need a personal auto policy to rent a car. If you don't have a personal policy, you'll be required to buy liability coverage through the rental car company. You will also have the option to add additional coverages, including collision and tire damage.

Does my credit card provide rental car insurance?

Some credit card companies provide insurance coverage if you use your card to pay for the rental car. Check with your credit card company for specific coverage information, rules, and restrictions.

Should I get rental car insurance?

If you already have car insurance or rental car coverage through your credit card, then rental car insurance may not be worthwhile. There are a few instances, however, where adding rental car insurance could be beneficial and worth considering:

  • You have high deductibles on your auto policy: Rental car insurance coverage often carries no or low deductibles, so you could pay much less or nothing out of pocket on a claim vs. a high deductible with your personal auto policy.
  • You want to avoid claims on your auto policy: With rental car insurance, you would file a claim with the rental car company, which avoids a potential rate increase on your personal auto policy.
  • You don't carry comp or collision coverage: If you don't carry comprehensive or collision coverage on your personal auto policy, adding a loss-damage waiver can protect you against physical damage to your rental car.
  • You carry a low liability coverage limit: If you carry the state minimum liability limit on your auto policy, adding additional coverage from the rental company will offer greater protection if you're involved in an at-fault accident.
  • You're traveling: Most U.S. auto policies only provide coverage in the U.S. and Canada. If you're traveling to a country where your auto policy doesn't provide coverage, then rental car insurance may be essential.

Looking for more information about auto insurance? Our car insurance resource center has you covered.

Rental Car Insurance: Do You Need It? (3)

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Rental Car Insurance: Do You Need It? (4)

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Rental Car Insurance: Do You Need It? (2024)

FAQs

Rental Car Insurance: Do You Need It? ›

If you already have car insurance for a personal vehicle, you probably don't need rental car insurance. If you don't already own a car with insurance, rental companies automatically cover the bare minimum in your state.

Do you need extra insurance when renting a car in the USA? ›

No, you don't need to have your own auto insurance policy to rent a car, but rental agencies typically have minimal coverage on their vehicles. You could end up responsible for significant expenses if you're in an accident with the rental and don't have your own car insurance.

Why do rental car companies ask for insurance? ›

First, they make money off of the insurance. They collect more money than it costs to repair the cars in a year. However, the biggest reason is to avoid dealing with either your insurance company or you if the vehicle is damaged.

Does Visa cover rental car insurance? ›

The Visa car rental coverage provides reimbursem*nt of up to the full cost of a repair or replacement of a rental vehicle in the event of: damage due to collision or theft of the vehicle; • Malicious vandalism against auto; documented valid loss-of-use charges imposed by your company to the renter of the car.

What does Allianz rental car insurance cover? ›

Our car rental insurance product is called OneTrip Rental Car Protector and provides primary coverage for covered collision, loss and damage up to $50,000, along with 24-hour emergency assistance.

Do I need extra car insurance to drive in USA? ›

If you want to drive a car in the United States, you will need to take out liability cover as part of your car insurance (or auto insurances as the Americans say). This cover is mandatory in all states except Virginia and New Hampshire, to allow you to drive your car on the road.

What hire car insurance do I need in USA? ›

When you hire a vehicle in the USA and Canada, you have the option of taking a rental that is either inclusive, or exclusive of insurance. The insurance required is Collision Damage Waiver/Loss Damage Waiver (covering damage, theft and loss of use of the rental vehicle).

How much is rental car insurance per day in the USA? ›

How much is full coverage insurance on a rental car? If you purchase all the insurance a car rental agency offers, you'll pay an extra $30 to $60 or more per day. This includes the loss damage waiver, liability coverage and personal accident and effects coverage.

What does it mean to rent a car with insurance? ›

Car rental insurance is a protection plan that safeguards you and the vehicle in the event of a collision, theft, and more. Enterprise also offers roadside assistance to help with incidents such as lockouts or lost keys.

What does CDW mean? ›

Collision damage waiver (CDW), also called car rental insurance, removes a car renter's liability for all or some damage to a rental vehicle in an accident, similarly to collision insurance. CDW also may cover instances of theft or vandalism. The renter will normally only have to pay for a deductible in an accident.

Do debit cards cover car rental insurance? ›

Offer proof of insurance.

While credit cards typically provide some insurance coverage for a rental car, debit cards do not. That means you may have to show that you have sufficient coverage or purchase more from the rental company.

What is the difference between CDW and LDW? ›

What's the difference between LDW and CDW? CDW covers damage to the rental vehicle in case of an accident. LDW offers the same protection, as well as coverage if the car is stolen. Since these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, pay attention to the fine print to know what kind of coverage you're getting.

Does Apple Card cover rental car insurance? ›

No, the Apple Card does not offer rental car insurance. Even though the Apple Card doesn't have rental car insurance, this perk is one of the few credit card benefits that still come with many credit card offers.

Which of the following is covered by rental insurance? ›

Renters insurance covers personal property, personal liability, medical payments and additional living expenses or loss of use, up to the limits of your policy.

Does travel insurance cover rental cars? ›

While not all travel insurance plans have coverage for car rentals, some comprehensive travel insurance plans have an add-on option for rental car collision coverage, if the rental car is damaged in an accident.

Do I need extra insurance when renting a car in Europe? ›

Whichever car hire company you go with, they will provide you with basic insurance – but you'll need to check the small print to see what this covers. Some hire companies will provide you with a damage waiver, which is included in the cost of the car hire.

Does my car insurance cover me in the USA? ›

Most auto insurance policies cover travel to the States, but may be subject to some restrictions. For example, the duration of coverage may be limited to a certain number of months. Even if your policy doesn't specify the maximum period, claims for stays longer than six months are assessed on an individual basis.

Can a foreigner rent a car in USA? ›

Nearly all car rental agencies will have no problem renting to someone with an international driver's license. Check the website of the rental agency you plan to use to see specific requirements and documentation. Most car-sharing services will also accept your foreign license.

Do I need rental car insurance in Florida? ›

Do You Need Rental Car Insurance in Florida? In Florida, rental car insurance is not required by law. However, it is highly recommended to protect yourself in case of an accident or theft while renting a car.

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