This is the time of year when many people go on vacation to escape the snow and cold. You may end up deciding to rent a car during your vacation, and if you do, the rental company will try to sell you insurance coverage. Do you need that extra coverage? Maybe not. Here are some important points to consider:
- Your own car insurance may already offer coverage. Check your policy documents.
- Many credit cards also include rental insurance – but only if you use that card to pay for the rental.
- Your personal car insurance or your credit card may only offer coverage in certain specific countries.
- Check the maximum liability amount – the maximum may not be enough to cover certain insurance claims.
- Make sure you’re the primary renter of the car – if you book it under your name but someone else is driving, you may not be covered.
- There may be a maximum duration for your included coverage if you plan on renting a car for several weeks or more.
- Certain types of vehicles may be excluded (for example trucks or SUVs).
The most important thing is: read the documents that describe your insurance policy or your credit card benefits before renting a car. You can also contact your insurance agent or credit card company to confirm how much coverage you have.
Don’t assume you have enough coverage on your motor vehicle insurance policy or other policies – check first to be sure you didn’t miss anything important. It’s better to find out beforehand than after you’ve had an accident!