Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

It always seems wise to me to buy insurance but then again I am always suckered into buying extended warranties, insurance etc.

Is it worth it?

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

Never ever ever ever. If you have insurance on a car it should cover a rental car. You have to check to be sure but why pay more. Also a lot of CC's cover rentals as well. You should check with them.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

Posted by MommyTeffi

Posted by k-diggity

Posted by KPtoys

Never ever ever ever. If you have insurance on a car it should cover a rental car. You have to check to be sure but why pay more. Also a lot of CC's cover rentals as well. You should check with them.

thanks! I never thought about the CC - I'll have to look into AMEX's possible coverage

I use my AMEX whenever I rent a car. I decline the collision damage waiver (CDW). Coverage applies for the first 30 days, and is in excess to your other sources of insurance. I've never experienced any problems.

AMEX also has the Premium Car rental protection policy. This policy is a flat rate and primary insurance for theft and damage for the rental. I've researched but never used this policy. Info is on the website. HTH.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

I think the answer is - it depends. I don't - but I did a lot of research first. You should check with your insurance company and see if you are covered with them. Then you should check with the credit card you are paying with. AMEX usually has pretty good coverage etc. You want to make sure you are covered and if so then you don't need it. It does make it less of a hassle but in most cases it really isn't needed.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

between our own auto insurance and AMEX we never do.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

We use the AMEX card to book the rental.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

I always do. I have a friend who worked in the industry for years and told me that I should never rent without it - it's the best $10 a day I'll ever spend. Apparently, the rental car companies are such a pain in the butt to deal with after an accident that it becomes a nightmare to deal with the various insurance coverages involved. He told me that they also don't maintain the cars the way they should and if you have their coverage, any damage is their problem. I'll gladly pay $100 for a week to just walk away from any problems with the car, no questions asked. We rented a car in Aruba, which was damaged when we were parked at a tourist attraction. We had the rental insurance and just turned the car back in, no problems, no questions asked.

I also had relatives who had a nightmare dealing with Hertz internationally with a car that had 2 flat tires right after they left the airport. They didn't buy the Hertz insurance and for the many months of time and hassle trying to resolve the issue, they will never decline the insurance again.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

I rent cars in Ireland regularly and we always get the extra ins. None of my cards cover rentals in Ireland, neither does my insurance company. I think it depends on where you travel...I know my cards dont cover rentals in Italy either but they do if I rent in the US.

I drove into a ditch once in Ireland and took out my front headlight, mirror and scraped up the side of the car really bad.

When I dropped it off at the rental place, they just asked if I had the ins, I said, yes, they said, grand! and we were on our way, no hassle.

Message edited 3/27/2009 3:41:26 PM.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

I will just share my experience. My dad drove a u-hall to help me move. Well, he unfortunatley cliped the top of the truck on an overpass so that part of the roof came off. Thank g-d that we had the insurance. It was the best $30 we had ever spent. They estimated the damage at $3000.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

I am an insurance agent and this is what I tell my clients: Traveling within the CONTINENTAL US: your vehicle is covered by your own insurance and in the event of a loss you are usually subject to your deductible. It is always wise to pay using your AMEX or other major credit card which will provide you with coverage at no additional charge. Therefore no deductible to pay.

If you are traveling to Puerto Rico or Mexico you can have your own auto policy endorsed to provide coverage, then sign a request to remove coverage after you return home.

Traveling overseas: Purchase the coverage!

Sorry so long, hope that helps you.

Re: Do you buy the insurance with car rentals?

This is such valuable information!