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Rental car insurance: Questions to ask your
insurance agent
Get the pertinent points in writing.
Your agent can fax or send you a copy of your policy.
- Do all the terms of your policy apply to
a rental car? Are there any exceptions?
- Do you have both collision insurance -- often
called collision damage waiver or CDW -- and liability insurance?
(Collision covers damage to your car. Liability covers damage
to other cars or people who may be involved in an accident with
you.)
- How much collision insurance do you have?
Would your policy cover the cost of renting and totaling a brand-new
Porsche, for instance? Or does coverage max out at the cost of
your own vehicle?
- Who is covered to drive under your policy?
Can your teens drive the rental car? What if they don't live with
you most of the year? If you're vacationing with friends, would
they be covered?
- Trace your destination -- to the best of
your knowledge -- with your agent. Is your entire trip covered?
What if you leave the country and drive into Canada or Mexico?
- Are your premiums paid up through your vacation
and beyond? If your next payment is due within a few weeks of
your return, pay it before you leave. You don't want to take a
few extra days to relax only to come home and find out your coverage
has been canceled.
- If you have an accident on your vacation,
whom do you call? Get a name and phone number, just in case. Also
find out how much time you have to report an accident.
- What about roadside service? If you break
down, does your insurance cover a tow truck or roadside service
to the rental car?
- Consider if you and all of your potential
passengers have health insurance. If not, does your auto insurance
include a provision that would pay medical expenses in the case
of an accident?
- Given the circumstances of your trip, where
you're driving, the type of car you want to be driving and who
is going along -- does your agent believe you need any supplemental
coverage from the rental company?
Dana
Dratch is a freelance writer based in Atlanta
To comment on this story, please e-mail the
Bankrate.com
editors
-- Posted: July 24, 2000
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