Can one purchase car insurance just for using rental cars?
Asked by
excinit (
10
)
December 12th, 2008
I don’t have a car, but I rent cars often. My credit card gives me free collision, but not liability. I generally risk it cause day by day coverage is so expensive.
I tried searching for details – but does anyone know – can you get insurance from a company that works just when you rent cars? Just liability? That would make renting cars cheapers, and safer!
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7 Answers
You can usually purchase insurance directly from the rental company.
@excinit: Yeah, you can do just what you describe… that’s actually what I’m doing currently. I think it’s in the neighborhood of $20/month for liability (with no car). It is certainly a lot cheaper if you rent often, and the coverage is good. I’m pretty sure most car insurance companies will provide it.
FYI: I use USAA, which is a fabulous insurance company if you are eligible.
There is already liability on rental cars by law. Since the company is the registered owner they would be liable for any damage the renter does. If you got into an accident in a Hertz vehicle, the other guy is going after the $billion corporation, not the $40,000/year wage slave. If you don’t live up to the terms of the rental agreement, say you let a 15 yo drive the car, I am sure Hertz would come after you for whatever they could get.
You should be able to purchase a non-owned auto policy from your local agent. This would provide you with liability coverage when you drive a car.
If you have a home owner’s liability policy or renter’s liability policy you might be able to purchase “hired auto” coverage as part of your policy. This would cover liability and not collision as stated by other posters.
SRM
Also, many credit cards offer automatic insurance on rental cars if you use the card to pay for the rental. I have one card specifically for this purpose and while I’ve never had to report a claim, I have never had and problems at the rental desk using this method.
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