Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?

Julie Akin • October 7, 2017

A red toy car is sitting on top of a map

Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?

You’ve probably been at the rental-car counter, listening to the representative ask if you want to purchase the company’s insurance. And the thoughts start racing through your head. “Is this a rip-off? Doesn’t my regular auto policy cover me? What about my credit card? Why didn’t I figure this out before I left on my trip?”

At Budget Insurance, we are here to help. And while not every situation is the same, we’ve got some general tips that will help you make an informed decision the next time you’re standing at that counter.

1. Know your personal auto policy.
Because insurance policies vary, it’s a good idea to give us a call — before you rent a car — to make sure you have the coverage you need. In some instances, your personal auto policy will provide coverage for a rental car — but that coverage may be limited to the value of the car you own, rather than the one you’re renting. Of course, if you don’t have a personal auto policy, you’ll need to purchase coverage from the rental company.

And keep in mind that in the event of an accident, many rental companies will charge fees beyond repair costs. They may assess a loss-of-use fee for each day the car is unusable, as well as charge you because the value of the car has decreased. Not all insurance policies cover these fees.

2. Also know your homeown ers or renters policy.
If you’re traveling with expensive electronics or other valuable items, you probably want to consider what coverage you’ll have in the event they are stolen. Your personal auto policy and/or credit card coverage likely won’t provide protection for this scenario.

3. Check your credit card protection.
Most credit cards will also provide some coverage, but payment may be limited to reimbursement of your personal auto policy deductible (after that policy pays for repairs). Generally, loss-of-use and other fees are not covered, but it’s important to check with your credit-card provider to determine their policies. And while some cards may offer additional protection for a fee, usually coverage is limited to damage to the car, not liability for any injuries to others. Remember, to receive any sort of benefit from your card, you must use that card to pay for your entire car rental.

4. Consider any unique circumstances.
Are you renting a car in a foreign country, or for more than a week? You’ll definitely want to get confirmation of coverage from both your insurance carrier and credit card company because different rules might apply. Also, no matter where you are, vehicles such as trucks, RVs or exotic sports cars often aren’t covered under standard agreements. And if you’re using a car for business purposes, your personal coverage might not apply. Finally, if multiple people will be driving the car during your trip, make sure your coverages will apply to them.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental companies offer four main types of coverage.
A Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) relieves you of responsibility if your rental car is damaged or stolen. This may also provide coverage for loss of use.
Liability Protection provides protection from lawsuits if you are sued after an accident.
Personal Accident Insurance covers you and passengers for medical bills after an accident. You may not need this if you have adequate health and auto coverage.
Personal Effects Coverage protects you if items are stolen from your car. You generally are covered for this under your homeowners or renters policy, but keep in mind that the loss must exceed your deductible for you to receive payment. If you have a high deductible, it may make sense to purchase this coverage from the rental company.

When you go on vacation, you don’t want to stress out about insurance. So give us a call before you leave. Then, when you head over to the rental-car counter, you can stop worrying about your coverage — and start enjoying your trip!

Traveling to Mexico?  3rd party liability is required by the rental car company.  3rd party Mexico rental car coverage is available through Sanborn's Mexico Insurance !

A person is holding an umbrella over a pile of money.
By Julie Akin March 13, 2025
Do you know how to select the proper liability limits to protect your assets?  Most likely, the answer is "No" but we here at Budget Insurance & Tucson Insurance Solutions make it simple and easy to calculate the level of protection that's right for you. All too many times we as consumers get caught up […] The post How Much Liability Coverage Do I Need? appeared first on Budget Insurance - Tucson, AZ.
A yellow tow truck with a green car on top of it.
By Julie Akin August 18, 2023
Safeguarding Your Ride: Exploring Auto Mechanical Breakdown Protection Your car is more than just a means of transportation; it's a reliable companion that takes you on journeys both near and far. However, like all mechanical things, vehicles are prone to wear and tear, and the possibility of breakdowns is ever-present. This is where auto mechanical […] The post Driving with Confidence: Unveiling the Benefits of Auto Mechanical Breakdown Protection appeared first on Budget Insurance - Tucson, AZ.
A bunch of coins stacked on top of each other with a graph in the background.
By Julie Akin July 19, 2023
Why home and auto insurance rates are continuing to rise in 2023 Thanks to an unusual convergence of market trends, ushered in by the pandemic and followed by other disruptive events, you may see a bigger change to the cost of your home and auto insurance than usual when it comes time to renew your […] The post Rising Auto and Home Insurance Rates appeared first on Budget Insurance - Tucson, AZ.
Share by: