Are you getting ready to head out on a road trip or rent a car to make the big move? If so, you might not be thinking about car insurance, but you might want to.
Rental car insurance is a great way to make sure that you aren’t liable for any costs or damages to your car, but many people don’t see it as necessary when they rent a vehicle. After all, isn’t insurance coverage included in the costs and fees of renting a car?
Learn more about renting a car and whether or not you need car insurance to be able to rent a car in today’s complete guide.
Do I Need Insurance To Rent A Car?
Most car rental companies do not require drivers to have their own personal car insurance to rent a car. As an organization, their vehicles are covered under their business car insurance.
However, it may be in your best interest to get your own rental car insurance or look at the coverage options you can add to your rental. If you do not have additional coverage beyond what the car company has on their vehicle and the vehicle is damaged, you will be responsible for covering those damages.
When renting a car, this is all explained in the terms and service agreement. Many drivers do not carefully read these terms, which leads them to be surprised when such charges are brought to them by a car company.
Add-on Car Insurance From Car Rental Agencies
Whether you’re getting a 24-hour car rental or renting a car out for a few weeks, the rental car company will likely offer you various types of add-on car insurance. In the event of an accident, the coverage would cover any injuries and property damage liabilities.
Just as you have different options when choosing your personal car insurance, other options can be picked from a car rental agency as well.
Other Coverage Options
Beyond choosing to pay for additional coverage from a rental agency, which can be exorbitantly expensive, you may want to check if you have any other types of insurance coverage that may be at play.
For example, some personal car insurance coverage policies extend to rental cars when done through a specific organization. Additionally, some travel-focused credit cards include complimentary rental car insurance coverage when you pay with that credit card.
Before renting a car, check your options. These options, which are included with services you already use, will save you a lot of money if they affect your car rental.
What Happens If My Rental Car Is Damaged?
If the car you rent is damaged while you drive it, you will be responsible for paying for those damages unless you paid upfront for comprehensive daily car insurance coverage of the rental car.
If you bought another type of insurance coverage or are using a personal form of car insurance coverage to handle the costs, the repair costs will be charged upfront by the car rental agency. Then, you will need to file a claim with the applicable insurance company to have the cost reimbursed.
What You Need To Rent A Car
The specific rules to rent a car varies by car rental agency, but generally, you will need to do the following to be able to rent a car:
- Meet the minimum age requirement
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Provide a valid form of payment
If renting from a non-airport location, you need a credit card to rent a car, which can be difficult for those struggling to manage their credit. Ensure that you don’t fall into the trap of accidentally lowering your credit score with consumer loans or tack-on policies.
It is possible to use a debit card to rent from some locations, but there are often additional restrictions and fees. If you plan to rent a car using a debit card, make sure that you have checked out these requirements so as not to be surprised by any additional costs.
Cash is never accepted as a valid form of payment for a rental vehicle as it provides no security to the provider.
As you can see, however, you do not need to have car insurance to be able to rent a car.
Rent With Ease
Before you head out to rent a car, make sure that you have done some research about what the process will be like. By reading through this guide today, you are more ready than many people!
It is vital that you also read through all of the terms and conditions that apply when you fill out the rental documentation. You want to know what you are getting into and what you are responsible for. After all, cars are expensive, and you don’t want to end up liable for something you aren’t prepared for!
Thankfully, there are ways to add on car insurance coverage if you would like to do so when renting a car. It is not required, but you always have that option if you feel that it would be the safer, smarter choice.