The following is a post from my mom, it’s her 2nd post on this site, and there are a couple more coming over the next two weeks.
If you have solid car, health, and homeowners/renters coverage, you can probably decline the extra protection and save a fair amount of cash. But if you’re less than optimally insured, you may want to add rental car insurance.
KNOW YOUR CURRENT COVERAGES
Check your car insurance policy or call your insurance company to find out which coverages extend to your rental car. The limits and deductibles on your policy still apply to your rental car so long as you drive it for personal use. If it’s a commercial or business rental, your personal car insurance coverage may not apply.
WHEN RENTAL CAR INSURANCE COVERAGE IS A GOOD IDEA
If you’re not currently insured, you’ll need to at least buy liability coverage from the rental company before you hit the road. Otherwise rental insurance isn’t legally required – which is not to say it can’t help. If any of the following g scenarios apply, the extra protection provided by rental insurance is worth considering:
Your current policy doesn’t have comprehensive and collision coverage
You’re only insured under a commercial car insurance policy
You don’t want to risk paying a high deductible
THE TRUTH ABOUT RENTAL CAR INSURANCE COVERAGE
Adding the extra coverages could be a waste of money if your car insurance policy already provides the coverage you need. Take a few minutes to find out if your existing car insurance, your credit card company, your health plan, and /or your renters or homeowners insurance have you covered.
You could save a pretty penny and leave the rental counter knowing you made the right decision.
