Car rental insurance

[connie1042]

My girlfriend is renting a car for her trip in Oct. It is rented in her name and she is paying for it. She carries full coverage on her personal car. She will NOT be driving the rental car, her son will be. He has only liability on his personal car. Will her personal car insurance cover her son driving the rental car? She has rented through Budget. Thanks

 

[jlewisinsyr]

First, she'll need to add her son as an additional driver on the contract, otherwise the car is being driven in violation of the contract and in the event of an accident, there would be some serious legal issues, including possibly being held personally responsible to pay for all damages (ie. NO insurance, even one's own will not pay).

In regards to actual coverages, it doesn't matter if you have just liability or full coverage, if you have insurance in most cases you can rent a car (most states full in this category).

 

[X and G's mom]

I'd tell her to call and ask her insurance agent.
When we went in December 2008 we rented a car. Before we left I called and asked my agent. (I carry full coverage on both of my cars. Better safe than sorry......)
Well, my agent told me to buy the insurance from the rental agency because if I got in an accident with the rental car, my insurance will only cover the cost up to the value of my car back home. He also said that rental cars tend to be newer cars, so newer = more expensive to replace, than my cars at home are.

Yes, she will need to add her son to the rental agreement too.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lewisc]

Advice regarding "most states" is only useful advice if you know what state the OP is from and what the rule is in that state.

Some states/policies cover rental cars the same as your own car. You have collission on your own car your covered (same deductible and maximum) the same as your own car. Other states/polices treat damage to a rental car as damage to other property. Similar to hitting a fence. Whatever deductible and limit you have for personal property damage prevails.

Many people are protected through their personal auto policy. Some people aren't.

I'm not 100% sure if it's still true but NY required inclusion of rental coverage in all polices, even if you don't have collision or comprehensive coverage.

First, she'll need to add her son as an additional driver on the contract, otherwise the car is being driven in violation of the contract and in the event of an accident, there would be some serious legal issues, including possibly being held personally responsible to pay for all damages (ie. NO insurance, even one's own will not pay).

In regards to actual coverages, it doesn't matter if you have just liability or full coverage, if you have insurance in most cases you can rent a car (most states full in this category).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I'm not 100% sure if it's still true but NY required inclusion of rental coverage in all polices, even if you don't have collision or comprehensive coverage.

Yes, NY is fully inclusive.

In regards to the rest of your posting, I think I clearly stated "in most states", because although my advice is accurate, further information is needed to make a clear determination.

 

[seashoreCM]

Does your girlfriend have any credit cards with a rental car collision coverage benefit? If so that will help out with the coverage although still requiring that she follow all rules of the rental company.

Is her son 25 or over? This will make a difference just as it makes a difference if the renter is 25 or over. Some rental companies don't allow drivers under 25.

Q: What, pray, happens if you have full coverage on an older car and you use your credit card with the rental car benefit?
A: (usually) Your credit card company pays the deductible, your insurance company pays what is over that and up to the value of your car, and the credit card company pays anything over that up to their dollar payout limit, typically $25,000., you are responsible for anything that remains.