First of all lets discuss liabilty coverage. This is used if you cause damage or injure someone else. Florida law allows rental companies to shift primary liability responsibility to the renter. This means your insurance is primary. Most personal insurance policies in the U.S. and Canada cover your liability when you're driving a non-owned auto with the permission of the owner as long as it's not furnished for your regular use. That's you when you're driving a rental car. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you're covered driving a rental car. And make sure you don't violate the rental contract by having someone drive that was not authorized by the rental company. The rental company will try to sell you additional Liability coverage and it's your choice whether you need it or not. But if you're satisfied that you have sufficient coverage to protect your assets on the car you drive everyday at home then you shouldn't need extra coverage while on vacation.
Then there's collision coverage which covers the rental car itself. If the car is damaged while you rent it whether it's your fault or not, you're responsible for that damage. If you buy Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver (the name varies), you're off the hook. If you don't buy it, then they threaten to charge your credit card immediately for the amount of damage. But as a practical matter if you have Collision coverage on your home policy and it covers you driving nonowned autos with the permission of the owner, it will pay for the rental car damage less your deductible. Or if someone else caused the damage and they have liability insurance, they would pay for the damage. And if you charge the entire rental to most gold or platinum VISA, Mastercard or AMEX cards, (including any rental deposit - the whole rental), the credit card company will cover your deductible. Buying CDW/LDW can easily double the cost of your rental and it's rarely needed by those with a U.S. or Canadian auto insurance policy on their own vehicles. Again, check with your insurance agent or read your policy.
Rental agents like to scare people about putting a huge charge on their credit card if they don't buy the coverage, particularly at the smaller rental companies. I strongly urge people to join rental company frequent renter programs like Hertz #1 Club or
Alamo Quiksilver because then you can waive all the coverages when you sign up and you normally don't have to deal with the counter people at all when you pick up your vehicle. Saves lots of hassle!
BobK/Orlando
