Car rental insurance question

[pxlbarrel]

When I first started renting cars (the first time was actually in Orlando back in '92!), I used to pay for their daily insurance. I did that for a few vacations and then discovered that my normal car insurance (the one I have for my own car) covered car rentals. So I stopped taking the rental company's insurance and that saves us a lot of money.

The last time I was in Orlando, the National Car Rental guy gave me a hard time telling me I wasn't covered for this and that if I used my own insurance and I would have to pay for whatever damages up front. I got uncomfortable with his hard sell (the first time this had come up with National) but I declined. But we went over the car with a fine tooth comb to make sure there were no dings or scratches before we left. And then when we left and told the guy at the gate, "there are scratches here and here" all he said was, "That's normal. Go ahead." Well, he may think it's normal but does the guy who checks it in think it's normal??

My question: what do you guys do? I'm actually considering applying for a plantinum credit card just so that the insurance is covered. Does it actually cover what I'm not buying from them? help!? Insurance is so confusing to me.

 

[ChisJo]

Here's what my insurance agent told me.....

I have full coverage on my car, everything you can think of. When I rent a car, I am covered 100%, but....I may have to pay for the damage up front and then submit the bill to my insurance agency for a refund.

This isn't always the case, but he said in some instances it happens.

Jo

 

[grover]

I am able to buy seperate car rental insurance thru autopac here in MB which covers me..no way would I pay for insurance at the car rental desk-prettttty pricey!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[Pixie]

Do you have to advise your insurance company before you rent so that they are aware?

 

[dangler]

When we were in Orlando last Oct., we rented a car and took out all the extra insurance. Good thing we did! We came out of MGM and our rental had been hit! The wheel well was all dented in, the passenger door was all dented. Since we had the extra insurance, when we returned the car we told them it was hit and showed them where, handed the keys back and walked away. That was it! If we hadn't taken the extra insurance, we would have had to pay up front (I would have hated to see that bill) submit the claim and still pay the deductible. My opinion is just get the extra insurance because you never know what will happen!

 

[pxlbarrel]

My opinion is just get the extra insurance because you never know what will happen!

If you use a Plantinum credit card that says it covers insurance...can you do the same thing and walk away?

 

[SnowWhite]

The first thing you want to do is to check with your insurance company to see if you have rental coverage. If you do then there is no need to get the platinum card unless you want some of the other benefits. (extending warranties and buyer protection against theft etc.) If you have your policy it should be listed on it. Good Luck!

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[riu girl]

I am also a little confused about rental car insurance. Our rental in MCO 12/04 we declined the insurance since the rental went on a platninum card. I had called the credit card company card prior to vacation and was told of the coverage that we had but got off the phone more confised then ever. I was also told by our insurance company that we would be covered (excpet the $200 ded). So that was fine. DH was a little upset with me since I couldn't explain the exact coverage to him. This year I will get a little more info. prior to trip.

As it turned out , we got a HUGE ding in the side of our rental (someone must have opened a door on it) but since it was already a pretty dinged up/scratched rental car, it wasn't noticed when we returned it. Thank goodness.

When your only paying $210/2 weeks for a rental, it is hard to justify paying the extra for the insurance.
Suzy V.

 

[Brander]

I am an insurance adjuster, and your basic auto policy (here in Ontario) will not cover you for damage to a rental vehicle.
If you have Loss of Use coverage on your Ontario policy, this only covers you after your car while it is in a shop being repaired..ie temporary substitute vehicle. Having a rental vehicle on vacation does not apply in this case.
Some credit card companies have coverage for physical damage to the rental car one uses. Check your credit card company first to see if you have the right coverage.
I would suggest that you speak to your broker and ask for the OPCF 27 endorsement, "Liability for non-owned vehicles". It will carry over your Ont. policy to a rental vehicle. Speak to your broker for a detailed explanation.
If you have an accident with this coverage, however, this claim will go against your local policy.
Hope this helps!

 

[Pixie]

I am an insurance adjuster, and your basic auto policy (here in Ontario) will not cover you for damage to a rental vehicle.
If you have Loss of Use coverage on your Ontario policy, this only covers you after your car while it is in a shop being repaired..ie temporary substitute vehicle. Having a rental vehicle on vacation does not apply in this case.
Some credit card companies have coverage for physical damage to the rental car one uses. Check your credit card company first to see if you have the right coverage.
I would suggest that you speak to your broker and ask for the OPCF 27 endorsement, "Liability for non-owned vehicles". It will carry over your Ont. policy to a rental vehicle. Speak to your broker for a detailed explanation.
If you have an accident with this coverage, however, this claim will go against your local policy.
Hope this helps!

Thanks for the help Brander. I just got off the phone with my insurance company and for a $15.00 flat fee I get, 1million $ liability, collision, and comprehensive (fire, theft, attepmted theft, vandalism and windshield). Much more acceptable than and extra $20.00 a day the car rental people were trying to push.

 

[mbb]

Thanks for the help Brander. I just got off the phone with my insurance company and for a $15.00 flat fee I get, 1million $ liability, collision, and comprehensive (fire, theft, attepmted theft, vandalism and windshield). Much more acceptable than and extra $20.00 a day the car rental people were trying to push.

That's what we do - it's a "while you're away on vacation" kind of rider

The other thing to remember is that if your rental is really wrecked, our credit card insurance will only replace up to a certain dollar value..our coverage goes to $25,000 CANADIAN for rental vehicle replacement - so DH's dream of renting the convertible ain't gonna happen too soon

HTH!!

 

[EEYORERULES]

As an insurance broker in New Brunswick, I always tell my insured's to "buy" the insurance in Florida. Some rental companies have hidden costs that in in the evnt of a claim your own policy will not cover even if you have the Sef 27 endorsment .. ie: down time while the car is getting fixed. also, if you have a claim & 'Buy" their insurance than that claim will "stay" in florida & won't affect your rates back home. If you use your own insurance than depending on fault, your rates can change.