{"id":41330,"date":"2023-12-05T15:42:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T20:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.plymouthrock.com\/?p=41330"},"modified":"2025-02-04T14:46:31","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T19:46:31","slug":"how-does-rental-insurance-work","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.plymouthrock.com\/resources\/how-does-rental-insurance-work","title":{"rendered":"How does rental insurance work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you rent a car, you\u2019ll be asked if you want to purchase insurance coverage for it. If you\u2019re a frequent traveler, you\u2019ve probably been through this several times. Do you actually need this coverage? How does rental car insurance work? Here\u2019s what you need to know about rental car insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is rental car insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rental car insurance is just what it sounds like\u2014insurance that covers a rental car. Rental car insurance is usually offered at the counter when you finalize the paperwork. Rental car insurance can also be provided by your credit card company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most rental car insurance offered by the rental car company is redundant with coverage you may already have. In general, if you already carry full coverage on your personal car insurance policy<\/a>, you don\u2019t need to purchase additional rental car insurance. Check with your insurance provider for the specifics of your particular policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Most rental car insurance is redundant if you already carry full coverage.<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most rental car insurance is redundant if you already carry full coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rental car insurance is different from rental reimbursement coverage<\/a>. Rental reimbursement coverage helps pay for a rental car while your personal car is being repaired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When do you use rental car insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are situations where purchasing additional rental car insurance may be necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting without auto insurance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you don\u2019t need to have your own insurance policy to rent a car, it\u2019s a smart idea to purchase rental car insurance when you rent. Without it, you\u2019ll be on the hook for expenses if you get into an accident with the rental car. Purchasing rental car insurance can protect you from liability if you injure someone, or if the rental car is damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting in other countries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re traveling to a foreign country and need to rent a car, your personal car insurance policy likely won\u2019t cover you. Most auto insurance policies will only cover you in the United States, its territories or Canada. If your policy doesn\u2019t cover you in the country you\u2019re driving in, it\u2019s a good idea to purchase coverage from the rental car company. Make sure any policy you purchase meets that country\u2019s insurance requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting with a credit card<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many credit cards offer rental car insurance as a benefit for cardholders. If you book a rental car with an eligible credit card, you\u2019ll get insurance coverage for damage to the car. Check with your credit card issuer for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, the insurance offered by the credit card does not include liability or personal injury insurance. If you don\u2019t already have these coverages on another policy, it\u2019s a good idea to purchase them as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to buy rental car insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you go to the rental car counter to sign the documents, you\u2019ll be offered coverage. The rental car agent at the counter will present you with coverage options, which you may choose to purchase or decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, rental car insurance coverage is optional if you already carry full coverage on an insurance policy. Most full coverage policies extend to cover rental cars. If you don\u2019t need additional rental car insurance, you may decline to purchase it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What type of insurance is included?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the exact limits and exclusions vary between rental car companies, rental car insurance usually consists of the following coverages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n