If you’re renting a car, think about what you need before you purchase supplemental insurance or a damage waiver.
Whether you’re on a trip and need transportation in a different city or your car is in the shop and you need a set of wheels to get to work and back, chances are you’ll need to rent a car. That’s the easy part. But, if you’re like many of us, it becomes more difficult when you’re faced with the decision of whether to purchase the additional insurance or damage waiver often offered by the rental car company.
To help you decide whether you should opt for the insurance offered by rental car companies, consider the following.
Do You Already Have Auto Insurance?
Generally, your personal auto insurance should extend to a rental car. A rental car most likely would be covered by Collision coverage or Liability coverage, depending on the state in which your policy is issued, because you’re temporarily driving it and you don’t own it. Basically, your policy will treat a rental like your primary vehicle while you’re in possession of it.
If you’re looking for more coverage, you may want to consider purchasing the additional insurance offered by a rental car company. An example of this may be when you are renting a specialty vehicle such as a U-Haul truck. Typically coverage from your passenger vehicle will not transfer to these types of vehicles. It is wise to contact Miller Insurance in Bloomington, IL to verify.
An important coverage that is often times overlooked is Loss of Use. Loss of Use coverage indemnifies the rental car company for their lost earnings by not being able to rent the vehicle while it was being repaired due to a comprehensive or collision claim. Many companies do offer coverage for this on your auto policy, but it is wise to check with your agent to verify.
Car Rental Tips:
Before you rent a car, consider the following:
1. Talk to your insurance agent or company.
Your first step should be to find out if the coverage you have on your personal vehicle will provide protection for you in a rental car.
2. Take your personal auto insurance policy and details of your coverages with you to the rental car counter.
You may be asked a question that these papers can answer-or, if you’re in doubt, have your insurance company or agent’s name and phone number readily available.