Cost of Rental Car insurance from Dollar

[auntblea]

I just found out that our car insurance policy does not cover rental car coverage. We are renting a car from Dollar for a week and would like to get some what of an estimate on the cost of the minimum amount of insurance needed. Anyone have any idea? I have went to the Dollar website and it said each rental location is different. Help??

 

[BillPA]

Insurance is high, in the $12-15 a day range. Are you sure your insurance doesn't cove rentals? Most do. Also if you use a Gold Visa/Master card, that provides insurance also. If you find you don't have any coverage, check with your insurance company and see what 1 one week policy would cost to cover a rental. It has to be less than Dollar or any rental company charges.

 

[ncbyrne]

We have always used the coverage from American Express. What cc you are using, call them and ask if they cover rental car insurance.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by auntblea
I just found out that our car insurance policy does not cover rental car coverage. We are renting a car from Dollar for a week and would like to get some what of an estimate on the cost of the minimum amount of insurance needed. Anyone have any idea? I have went to the Dollar website and it said each rental location is different. Help??

Make a "pretend" reservation and opt for the insurance, it will give you the final price.

 

[safetymom]

Go through making another reservation and near the end you should get a screen listing all the charges. Then don't confirm it.

 

[off2disney]

I met with my insurance agent today to review my coverage, and in passing, I asked if my insurance covered a rental. He said it did, then asked me how much their insurance would cost. I didn't know, since I had been sure my policy covered it. Then he said something that sounded strange.....he said if I took their insurance and then did have an accident, I wouldn't have to report it to my insurance company. Which he IS my insurance company. Isn't that wierd? Of course, he probably knows that they'll cancel my policy if I file a claim. That's what I love about insurance companies...as long as you pay your premiums, they love you, but file a claim and you're history!

 

[seashoreCM]

Many people drop (or should drop) the collision part of their own car insurance when the car is more than six years old. WHen this happens, they no longer have collision coverage for rental cars.

Credit card rental collision coverage gives a better benefit for those without collision coverage on their own car. Except for some Diners Club cards, your own collision insurance pays first (is primary) subjecting you to surcharges, etc. What is left, generally just the deductible, is picked up by the credit card company which provides secondary coverage.

If you don't have collision on your own car, your own insurance company, still primary, covers zero dollars and the credit card company, still secondary, covers what is left.

If you buy the (tremendously expensive and profit making) rental company collision, it is primary.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

>>> I wouldn't have to report it to my insurance company...
Incorrect. Always report all accidents no matter how slight.

>>> Which he IS my insurance company...
For those eavesdropping... not always. Most insurance agents are independent, representing several insurance companies.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
Many people drop (or should drop) the collision part of their own car insurance when the car is more than six years old. WHen this happens, they no longer have collision coverage for rental cars.
.....

If you don't have collision on your own car, your own insurance company, still primary, covers zero dollars and the credit card company, still secondary, covers what is left.

If you buy the (tremendously expensive and profit making) rental company collision, it is primary.

In NY rental coverage is generally part of the property damage section of your policy (you have coverage without collision). But if you total the car you might go over your maximum.

 

[Starz723]

Listen to this one:

I got a base rate of $85.99 for a week. Nice. BUT,,here are the add ons. All taxes bring it up to: $138.81 NOW add

$12.99 per day for liability ( I do not own a car at home).
I do have a platinum card that would cover the extras.

$228.76. Thats some jump from $85.99. Thats without gas too. Thats not to say there are hidden costs tacked on.. This has happened to me.

Thats why Im contemplating using a car service and WDW trans plus take a taxi to and from other resorts.

I really have to weight this out vs WDW trans.

 

[BobH]

If you don't have car insurance you should bite the bullet and get insurance through the car rental agency. Read the policy carefully it is not necessarily full coverage that will let you sleep well at night. You can research the coverages ahead of time on the rental company website.
If you have auto insurance you are generally covered for collision and liability (lawsuit) by your own insurance but you should make sure your coverage meets at least the minimum of the state you are renting the car in. As another person stated you should talk to your insurance company. You probably want liability coverage that exceeds the minimum in any state you might rent in. Your own auto insurance does not cover charges from the rental car company for loss of use of the rental car if you have an accident and it can't be rented out. Some credit cards will cover this as long as you can produce a police report and a copy of the rental car company log showing their fleet usage.