You’re renting a vehicle because your car breaks down and you have places to be. Will your insurance cover your temporary ride?
Do I need rental car insurance?
First, you need to make sure the car you’re driving is covered by insurance. When you rent a car, rental companies offer you the option to insure the vehicle. You can elect to purchase that additional coverage. However, you may not need it if rental cars are already covered under your existing auto policy.
If your policy includes physical damage coverage – comprehensive and collision coverage – it might cover rental cars, also. If you’re unsure whether your auto insurance includes coverage for rental cars, contact your agent to learn about your policy details so you can make an informed decision.
Does my insurance policy cover a rental car I’m driving?
If your vehicle is involved in an accident, the last thing you want to worry about is finding another car. Aside from collision and comprehensive coverage, there are auto insurance policy “riders” you can add to your policy for a minimal cost. Adding a rental car rider to your coverage might make sense depending on your situation, especially if your vehicle needs frequent repairs.
Does my existing car insurance policy cover the cost of a rental car?
If you add a rental reimbursement rider to your auto insurance policy, your insurance company may secure a rental car as a service to you during your claims process. Rental reimbursement coverage pays for your use of a rental vehicle, so you don’t pay the car rental company to rent the vehicle.
What if my insurance doesn’t currently cover the cost of a rental car?
If your current car insurance policy doesn’t include rental reimbursement, adding the coverage can help alleviate your concerns if your vehicle needs a repair that takes a few days to complete. Be proactive and don’t wait until it’s too late to find out if your rental car is covered by insurance. Keep in mind the cost to add rental car reimbursement is often less premium for the full six-month or annual term than the cost of renting a vehicle for a single day. With worldwide delays on parts and staffing issues in the automotive industry, keep in mind car repairs can currently take substantially longer. Are you prepared to pay to rent a car out of pocket for several weeks? If you know you did not purchase rental car reimbursement and would like to, contact Kate at kate@fdinsurancegroup.com.
Remember, we’re here to help!