Many folks who travel opt to rent a car for their trip to avoid airport congestion, heightened security, and scanning. A rental car is a really good alternative especially if you are planning on traveling to a closer destination. Most wonder whether they need to insure the rented vehicle. While the answer to this question is yes, the insurance does not always need to be purchased directly from the rental company.
Keep in mind that there are a few different options that are available when purchasing rental car insurance such as:
· Your Personal Car Insurance
· Credit Card
· Car Rental Company
· Through Vacation Packages
Personal Car Insurance
Your personal car insurance usually offers coverage for rented vehicles at no extra cost. To have this benefit you will need to have one of your personal vehicles insured with full coverage in order to have the same coverage extended to a rental car. The deductibles will remain the same for your rented car as well.
In case of an accident, a car insurance company will not cover all the fees that are related to a rental car. The rental companies will charge fees for the days that a rental car spends in the shop being repaired. Make sure to check with your insurance provider whether they will cover the rental fees in case of an accident.
Credit Card
Most credit cards will offer coverage for a rental car. The requirement is to purchase your rental using the credit card that you want the coverage to extend from. In case of an accident, there may be possible fees on your credit card. The credit card company may charge you for the days that the vehicle is repaired. It is usually not possible to avoid these fees.
Car Rental Company
Buying car rental insurance directly from the rental company is the best option as they provide multiple coverage levels offering protection for you and the rental car. However, the downside to purchasing rental insurance through the rental company is that the price is much higher than other options that are available. The benefit to this is that you will not have any out of pocket expenses in case of a car accident.
Vacation Packages
A really good choice is to purchase insurance through a vacation package especially if you are traveling outside of the U.S. Bundled prices are usually much better and you may save a lot of money. Make sure to check whether you will be responsible for any fees if you are involved in an accident. The money that you have saved initially should be kept aside for any possible fees in case of an accident.
If you decide not to purchase car rental insurance through the rental company, you may save money in the long run, depending on the fees, and if you are not involved in an accident. It is essentially a gamble, so make sure to plan ahead and be prepared for the possible fees that could be devastating. Purchasing insurance directly from a car rental agency can be costly but will provide you with the best coverage and protection from out of pocket expenses.
There are many useful tips and advice on car insurance online, so make sure to do your research before making a purchase.
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