Even if you own a vehicle, you might need to someday rent one. For instance, if you fly somewhere for vacation and want to explore by car, you will probably want a rental. Or, you could possibly require a rental car if your vehicle has to be out of service for several days. You might also need a rental car if you have been in a car crash and totaled your own vehicle.
In these situations, you should definitely check in with your insurance agent. After all, you need to know what to expect if you get in an accident in a rental car. Plus, you will want to know if your auto insurance policy covers the cost to rent a vehicle after yours has been damaged or destroyed.
Does Car Insurance Cover Rental Cars?
As you might suspect, the answer to whether or not your auto insurance will either pay for or cover an accident in a rental car depends greatly on a number of factors:
- What are the deductibles and limits on your personal car insurance policy? Your policy will include language that should give you a better understanding of whether you have coverage regardless of which car you drive, including one you have rented.
- Are you driving for business or personal use? If you are renting a vehicle for work, you may no longer be covered on your personal auto insurance policy. In this case, you should speak with your employer to determine what kind of coverage they offer. Your company may ask you to purchase special insurance from the rental organization to bridge any gaps. These insurance options can include liability coverage, loss-damage waivers, personal accident insurance and coverage for any personal effects.
- Does your credit card offer any auto insurance coverage? Some credit card companies will help protect the cost of a rental car that has been damaged during an accident or via vandalism. Check with your credit card issuer before assuming that this is the case, however.
- What kind of rental car are you getting? It is one thing to rent a reasonable four-door sedan for a family trip to the beach. It is quite another to rent an exotic, expensive vehicle on a bucket-list journey across America. Many insurance policies will automatically cover damage to the former. Most will not cover the latter, so you will need to purchase extra coverage through your personal insurance or through the rental agency.
In terms of getting your auto insurance policy to pay for a rental car if your personal vehicle is inoperable after a collision, you should always do a check-in with your insurance agent. Some types of coverage do reimbursement for the cost to rent a vehicle after your own has been deemed unsafe to drive. More basic coverage may not. Additionally, if you are found at fault for the accident, you may only receive reimbursement if you have added special coverage to the policy. The only way to know for sure is to walk through your policy with an insurance representative.
Find out What Coverage Your Policy Provides
As with all types of insurance, knowing exactly how your auto insurance treats rental cars is something you should find out ahead of time. That way, you will never be caught without protection. Contact your Strock Insurance agent today to make sure you are covered in a rental car.