Car Insurance Requirements

[QueenMab85]

Hi all,

In the past I've been told it's Florida law that I need liability insurance to rent a car. I'm renting in August. I don't have a car or car insurance of my own but I use an Amex that provides collision and loss damage coverage. If the company tells me I'm required to purchase liability insurance am I being scammed or do I indeed have to buy it under Florida law?

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

You were lied to. And I would make a guess as to which agency said it, just from reading threads over the years...

I have never one been asked for an insurance card when renting a car. Not even in Florida.

 

[QueenMab85]

It's actually been a couple of companies that have told me that, I think. I could be wrong and not remembering correctly. If it happens again I think I'll just ask to see it in writing/law.

 

[DebbieB]

Hi all,

In the past I've been told it's Florida law that I need liability insurance to rent a car. I'm renting in August. I don't have a car or car insurance of my own but I use an Amex that provides collision and loss damage coverage. If the company tells me I'm required to purchase liability insurance am I being scammed or do I indeed have to buy it under Florida law?

Thanks!

If you don't have your own policy, it's a big risk driving without liability coverage.

You were lied to. And I would make a guess as to which agency said it, just from reading threads over the years...

I have never one been asked for an insurance card when renting a car. Not even in Florida.

I wouldn't be so quick to say it's a lie. She does not have her own insurance. I would think Florida has a law that drivers must have a minimum limit of liability coverage.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I wouldn't be so quick to say it's a lie. She does not have her own insurance. I would think Florida has a law that drivers must have a minimum limit of liability coverage.

IMO this is correct .... if you do not own a car and do not have ANY car insurance then you need to get liability coverage from the rental company else you'll have additional problems should you have an accident (in Florida anyway)

from http://www.baroninsurancegroup.com/current-events/rental-car-insurance-do-you-really-need-it/

2. Liability Insurance: Rental companies are required by law to make sure all rented cars have at least the state required amount of liability insurance. If you do not have any auto insurance you will be required to buy this coverage.

Florida law requires both liability and PIP ... credit cards sometimes cover collision .... most rental agents will try to sell collision coverage but you are not required by law to carry that type of coverage .... and if you have your own car insurance you are probably covered (state reciprocity applies) ... but OP has NO insurance ...

I'd guess that once you initial the 'declined' box, the burden is on you . . . ever read the fine print of the contract on that point? Does it mention NO LIABILITY coverage? I dunno cuz I KNOW I'm covered 6 ways from Thursday by my policy, but I'd hate to be OP with NO insurance and end up discussing the situation with a Trooper . . . . or a lawyer.

For folks WITH insurance the collision upsell is usually a bad idea but know what your policy covers and doesn't. For folks with NO insurance, you probably REALLY DO need insurance from the rental company ....

but even this statement has exceptions. As a Government employee I was never to buy insurance for a rental car because the Federal Government 'self insures' .... less astute Fed' Gov' travelers have learned this when reimbursement for insurance was denied . . . If you work for government or a BIG company it would be wise to know their policy if you must rent a car 'on the company'.

 

[Pooh2]

We just got an Amex card for their additional insurance coverage (24.95 for the period of the rental). Call Amex and ask the details of the policy. I know you need to sign up with Amex for the coverage before your trip. Some of the rental car places charge more than the amount of the car rental charge itself.

 

[Pooh2]

From another message board on Amex coverage: (call Amex for a copy of their coverage and policy)

For a flat fee of $24.95 per rental (up to 42 days) you get:

1. Helps to avoid claims on your personal insurance
With the basic secondary coverage your American Express already includes, you risk having your personal auto insurance premiums hiked if you get in an accident, since that is who will be paying first.

However with American Express Premium Car Rental Protection, you won’t have to file a claim with your personal insurance company (assuming to cost of your claim does not exceed AMEX’s coverage limits). That means you won’t have to worry about your premiums going up for having a claim.

2. Saves you paying for a deductible
You won’t have to worry about paying a deductible if a claim is made. If you’re like me, you probably have a deductible of $500, maybe even $1,000!

3. Might cover vehicles your basic card coverage won’t
The secondary car rental loss and damage insurance that is offered for free on most credit cards excludes a number of vehicles, including SUVs, pickup trucks, luxury cars and others.






All you have to do is sign up and pay with your AMEX card, no annual fee or charge to add this protection. When you rent the car, AMEX will charge you the $25. Not a bad deal if you are renting a car for a few days to a week, this could be $3 a day (gas is $4 a gallon).

 

[DebbieB]

From another message board on Amex coverage: (call Amex for a copy of their coverage and policy)

For a flat fee of $24.95 per rental (up to 42 days) you get:

1. Helps to avoid claims on your personal insurance
With the basic secondary coverage your American Express already includes, you risk having your personal auto insurance premiums hiked if you get in an accident, since that is who will be paying first.

However with American Express Premium Car Rental Protection, you won’t have to file a claim with your personal insurance company (assuming to cost of your claim does not exceed AMEX’s coverage limits). That means you won’t have to worry about your premiums going up for having a claim.

2. Saves you paying for a deductible
You won’t have to worry about paying a deductible if a claim is made. If you’re like me, you probably have a deductible of $500, maybe even $1,000!

3. Might cover vehicles your basic card coverage won’t
The secondary car rental loss and damage insurance that is offered for free on most credit cards excludes a number of vehicles, including SUVs, pickup trucks, luxury cars and others.


All you have to do is sign up and pay with your AMEX card, no annual fee or charge to add this protection. When you rent the car, AMEX will charge you the $25. Not a bad deal if you are renting a car for a few days to a week, this could be $3 a day (gas is $4 a gallon).

https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do

Still needs liability coverage

Note: Liability is not included

 

[Pooh2]

https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do

Still needs liability coverage

Note: Liability is not included

Good to know! Thanks

 

[sympatico]

Credit cards only cover collision/loss of use for your rental. If you're at fault and damage another vehicle/person then you are liable. As was already noted: Rental companies are required by law to make sure all rented cars have at least the state required amount of liability insurance. But if that amount of liability insurance isn't sufficient for the claim then you are responsible for the rest.
In the past I've bought the liability insurance because my ins. company said our car policy wouldn't transfer to a rental but since then, I've changed companies and it does. Since you don't have any perhaps you should contact your home insurance person and ask about it. Or buy the liability from the car rental people.