/ / / / /

Travel Tips: Is Car Rental Insurance Worth It?

August 30, 2007 at 11:30 AM | by | Comments (5)

The frustrating answer: Sometimes.

We all know the drill. We find a clown car-sized vehicle online that can get us from Point A to Point B for $34.99. When we get up to the counter, taxes, gas, insurance and (for some of us) the under-25 fee pushes the cost well above the $150 mark. Suddenly an afternoon on the open road costs more than a round-trip flight on a budget carrier. What went wrong?

For starters, many of us insure something that's already insured. Rental insurance is a waste for car owners because most auto policies extend to rentals. Just make sure the rental car is worth about the same as the one you own. A policy on a $500 '89 Oldsmobile will only cover up to $500 in damages to that $60,000 Lincoln Navigator you rented to drive up and down the Jersey Shore. Next time, you won't let those girls in bikinis sit on the hood.

However, car-less renters need to suck it up and pay the extra $40 for basic collision and liability coverage. In the worst-case scenario, an uncovered driver could be accountable for the total cost of the rental vehicle and any other cars involved in an accident. Now that'll ruin a trip.

Related Stories:
· Travel Tips [Jaunted]

[Photo: Palm Covers Car]

Comments (5)

Post a Comment

Return to » Travel Tips: Is Car Rental Insurance Worth It?


Another thing to think about...

It helps to look at your own situation and figure out what you need or don't need before you stumble up to the counter, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged, to pick up your rental.
pbb on August 30, 2007 at 11:46 AM #Permalink

mistake

I made the mistake of not getting extra insurance last time i went abroad and it cost me a small fortune after someone clipped the car when it was parked outside of the hotel. Always make sure you double check your car hire insurance before you drive off, also have someone from the rental desk come double check the car for scratches so you dont get forced to pay for any excesses.
daveknutz on August 10, 2009 at 10:22 AM #Permalink

True

I have to admit that what you said is true. When I rent a car in Israel, I never know when I would scratch the car that I rent so I'd rather pay those insurances, even if I do it half-heartedly.
GeorgeHalliwell on January 18, 2010 at 6:06 AM #Permalink

car rental insurance

Good article. The car insurance has policies/schemes where you can rent or borrow a car from relative or friend for single day or for month. This temporary car insurance really saves money on car insurance. It not only gives the details about policies/schemes offered by the insurance company but also about benefits offered by insurance. This is really very informative. http://carinsurancetemporary.co.uk/
insurecar21 on May 17, 2010 at 6:38 AM #Permalink

Insurance

i think that car rental insurance is a healthy thing,  you never know what can happen, is just like <a rel="follow" href="http://www.cia-landlords.co.uk">Let Property Insurance</a> which cover the building itself with the option of including the contents left within.
 
mautzu on September 1, 2010 at 6:29 PM #Permalink

Return to » Travel Tips: Is Car Rental Insurance Worth It?

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy (Revised 08/01/2011). © Condé Nast Digital. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast Digital.
Ad Choices