Do I need to buy auto insurance when I rent a car?

Question

I presently have comprehensive insurance on my own car

Answer 1

if it is included in your own insurance then no. i have a $500 deductable towrds a rent a car. I sometimes get it just for piece of mind though cuz its cheap and you can always add it later in your trip.

Answer 2

This is from Atlanta Consumer Advisor Clark Howard:

To get the best deal, book a car when you book your flight. Then re-check before you leave to see if there's a cheaper rate. Check car rental Web sites for bargains at both times.

**When you rent a car, don't accept the insurance options the company wants you to buy. Check with your own auto insurance agent to see if you're covered under your policy, or use a premium credit card that offers travel insurance.

Check the rental car carefully before you leave the rental lot. If you see any damage, have an official of the company note it on the rental contract before you leave.

If you're planning to go somewhere during peak season, make sure you can find an affordable car before you buy a non-refundalble airline ticket.

Rent the smallest car available at the cheapest rate. About half the time, the rental company won't have the small car you ordered and will have to give you a larger car at the small-car price. Update!

Always take the car out with a full tank of gasoline and return it with a full tank.

If you're renting for five days or more, a weekly rental will provide a large discount.

Answer 3

Depending on your state insurance laws, your car insurance might also cover rental cars. Connecticut has this. Make sure you have enough to cover a NEW car, though.

Another way to get insurance on a rental is to use a credit card that "gives you" the insurance to rent the car. Contact your credit card company to find out if you have this. American Express does. So does many Visa and Mastercards. (This is what I do, because my own car is pretty old).

Answer 4

You can save on your insurance by compare quotes at FREETOINSURE.INFO-

RE Do I need to buy auto insurance when I rent a car?

I presently have comprehensive insurance on my own car

Answer 5

Most of the time you don't. If you have car insurance you can call them and ask if you will be covered.

However, you may consider geting travel protection to cover your whole trip. That way you are usually spending less than with the car rental agency and it will cover more. Plus, if you were to get in an accident, it wouldn't increase your rates for your regular insurance.

Answer 6

Not really. Most car hire companies have insurance coverage but I would suggest you buy a "travel insurance coverage" if you will travel which will cover the following: death (sorry, morbid!), loss and damage to baggage, cancelled trip, illness, etc. Check Norwich ( a UK based company). It is quite expensive but it's a good coverage. Just check the internet. Don't travel without it!

Answer 7

If you have insurance on your own car, then you don't have too. But you have to make sure that your insurance pays for you driving EVERYONE'S car. Usually it's like a $500 decutable, so you may want to do it just in case!!

Answer 8

then its not necessary because your own car insurance will cover a rent a car as long as you have a valid driver's license at the time you rent the vehicle

Answer 9

First...READ YOUR POLICY. Most policies will cover you for liability arising from an accident but not comprehensive or collision (damage to the car you rented). Your credit card may offer some protection, but a lot of credit card companies are no longer offering it, sooo talk to your credit card company also.

Answer 10

Typically, no. Ask your insurer to be safe. But if you cause an accident you will have to pay your deductible.

If you buy their insurance, you usually pay nothing if there's an accident.