rent a car without insurance?

[cyctorres]

I can rent a car without buying insurance that the company offers?

they can force me to buy insurance for the car?

 

[Detailor]

I can rent a car without buying insurance that the company offers?

they can force me to buy insurance for the car?

Insurance is offered as an additional purchase on car rentals. You, as the renter, can chose to purchase the insurance or chose not to purchase it. Agents at the reservation desk, for at least some rental companies, tend to push renters to purchase the insurance but they cannot force the renter to do so.

I'd suggest that purchasing the insurance from the car rental company makes a lot of sense if you don't have rental car coverage through your own car insurance policy or have rental car coverage through a credit card company. But if you already have those coverages then you may be paying extra for something you already have.

Check with your car insurance agent or read you car insurance policy to find out if you're already covered. Or contact your credit card company to determine what they would cover, if anything.

Dick Taylor

 

[Bell30012]

Keep in mind that you will be subject to the limitations of your own car insurance policy. For example, if you have a $500 deductible on your car then you will have a $500 deductible when using a rental car. In addition, if you only have liability on your car then you will also have liability only on the rental.

There are also other restrictions that can be based on the state in which your insurance if from. Massachusetts and New Hampshire insurance is sometimes not accepted at some agencies. When I've flown into cities and rented cars, I always rent a car. Since I get reimbursed, I generally take the insurance.

I've had two issues with a rental where insurance was needed. In Dallas, I had a rental car stolen and in New York we were sideswiped by a taxicab that didn't bother to stop. I was very glad that I had opted for the insurance.

 

[Lewisc]

Keep in mind that you will be subject to the limitations of your own car insurance policy. For example, if you have a $500 deductible on your car then you will have a $500 deductible when using a rental car. In addition, if you only have liability on your car then you will also have liability only on the rental.

Not always true. Some states/carriers cover a rental car under other property damage.

Rental agencies can require coverage if you're not a resident of the United States. The OP is from PR, I know that's part of the United States, but I don't know if rental agencies have a different requirement. Go to the rental agency and read the fine print. Fine the place which states who is required to purchase insurance and see if PR is included.

 

[dioxide45]

Remember that if you are relying on CDW coverage from a credit card, that you have to use that credit card for all parts of the rental. That would mean you have to use it when you book if a credit card number is required and use that same credit card when you check in and get the car and then pay for the car on that credit card. If you end up paying cash at the end or switch to a different card, your credit card CDW coverage won't cover anything.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Don't forget that some credit cards also have rental car insurance if you use that particular card to pay for your rental. Check with you credit card company to get the details of the coverage.

We never get the insurance offered by the rental company.

The reason they push or bully you into taking it, is that the agent doing your rental gets a commision on each insurance sale they make. I know this because DH use to work at the corporate office of Alamo. Just stand firm and say no if they continue to bully you then pull out your cell phone infront of the agent and call the rental car company's 800 number and speak to a manager. I would suggest programing the 800 number into your cell before your trip so that you have it to use if this should happen.

 

[Detailor]

Rental agencies can require coverage if you're not a resident of the United States. The OP is from PR, I know that's part of the United States, but I don't know if rental agencies have a different requirement.

FWIW, citizens of Puerto Rico are United States citizens (Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917), typically pay U.S. federal income taxes, etc.

Dick Taylor

 

[GirlDreamer]

It's also important to remember that by Florida law, you're required to have insurance (don't remember which types though). So if you don't have any type of insurance already that will cover the rental car, then yes, you need to pay for insurance at the rental company.

 

[gmeh1]

Don't forget that some credit cards also have rental car insurance if you use that particular card to pay for your rental. Check with you credit card company to get the details of the coverage.

We never get the insurance offered by the rental company.

The reason they push or bully you into taking it, is that the agent doing your rental gets a commision on each insurance sale they make. I know this because DH use to work at the corporate office of Alamo. Just stand firm and say no if they continue to bully you then pull out your cell phone infront of the agent and call the rental car company's 800 number and speak to a manager. I would suggest programing the 800 number into your cell before your trip so that you have it to use if this should happen.

Agents at Alamo, National and Enterprise do not bully anyone into coverage for the car. They inform and yes, they do get a commission on each sale. They also have to meet quotas. you don't need to make a big production of calling the 800 number (how much drama does one need?), just ask for a manager, the agent will be happy to get one for you. The Corporate Offices for Enterprise Holdings, Inc. are in Clayton, Missouri.

All rental companies try to sell coverage, they all get commissions and all need to make quotas.

When checking with your credit card company or insurance company re:coverage, ask about the loss of use. Do either of them cover that? If you are in an accident (God forbid) you are liable for the loss of use of that vechicle from the time you return it until the time it hits the rental line again.

 

[gmeh1]

FWIW, citizens of Puerto Rico are United States citizens (Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917), typically pay U.S. federal income taxes, etc.

Dick Taylor

Puerto Rico

is classified by the U.S. government as an independent taxation authority by mutual agreement with the U.S. Congress. A common misconception is that residents of Puerto Rico do not have to pay federal taxes. Residents of the island pay federal taxes (import/export taxes, federal commodity taxes, social security taxes, etc.) and some even pay federal income taxes (Puerto Rico residents who are federal employees, or who do business with the federal government, Puerto Rico-based corporations that intend to send funds to the U.S., etc). While most residents of the island do not pay federal income tax, they do pay federal payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare), as well as Puerto Rico income taxes. In addition, because the cutoff point for income taxation is lower than that of the IRS code, and because the per-capita income in Puerto Rico is much lower than the average per-capita income on the mainland, more Puerto Rico residents pay income taxes to the local taxation authority than if the IRS code were applied to the island. Puerto Rico residents are eligible for Social Security benefits upon retirement. Puerto Rico is excluded from Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Puerto Rico receives less than 15% of the Medicaid funding it would be allotted as a state."

Not that this matters much in this conversation. LOL

 

[chartle]

FWIW, citizens of Puerto Rico are United States citizens (Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917), typically pay U.S. federal income taxes, etc.

Dick Taylor

and also doesn't necessarily apply to insurance requirement rules at a rental car company.

 

[Huff]

Keep in mind that most individuals car insurance will not cover loss of use. Lets say you waive renters insurance because you have your own insurance that covers rental cars. That insurance may pay repairs to the rental car but will not pay for the rental agencies loss of use. Almost all major rental agency contracts stipulate the renter is liable for loss of use in the event the rental car is damaged and under repairs. You as the renter may be held liable to pay the full rack rate for any days the rental car is out of use while being repaired. Your own insurance will rarely cover such loss of use.

 

[goofy4tink]

Agents at Alamo, National and Enterprise do not bully anyone into coverage for the car. They inform and yes, they do get a commission on each sale. They also have to meet quotas. you don't need to make a big production of calling the 800 number (how much drama does one need?), just ask for a manager, the agent will be happy to get one for you. The Corporate Offices for Enterprise Holdings, Inc. are in Clayton, Missouri.

All rental companies try to sell coverage, they all get commissions and all need to make quotas.

When checking with your credit card company or insurance company re:coverage, ask about the loss of use. Do either of them cover that? If you are in an accident (God forbid) you are liable for the loss of use of that vechicle from the time you return it until the time it hits the rental line again.

Some experiences have been good, others not so good. I am always 'offered' the addtl coverage. Only one time, at the Alamo counter at the Dolphin, did I get any type of 'pushiness' when I politely declined the offer. The person at the counter was more than a bit pushy about the addtl coverage....tried scare tactics..the whole 'what if' thing. I politely told him no thank you...just give me my keys and I would be on my way.
I understand quota's and commissions. But, when a customer says no, that should be the end of it. As I said, most of my experiences have been good ones....no thanks and I'm on my way. But, all it takes are a couple of less than wonderful stories on the internet and soon all agents are tarred with the same brush, so to speak.

 

[gmeh1]

Some experiences have been good, others not so good. I am always 'offered' the addtl coverage. Only one time, at the Alamo counter at the Dolphin, did I get any type of 'pushiness' when I politely declined the offer. The person at the counter was more than a bit pushy about the addtl coverage....tried scare tactics..the whole 'what if' thing. I politely told him no thank you...just give me my keys and I would be on my way.
I understand quota's and commissions. But, when a customer says no, that should be the end of it. As I said, most of my experiences have been good ones....no thanks and I'm on my way. But, all it takes are a couple of less than wonderful stories on the internet and soon all agents are tarred with the same brush, so to speak.

I agree, when a customer says "no", that should be the end of it. But, some agents want to explain way too much. And, I also agree, that a couple of bad stories becomes the rule for all.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Agents at Alamo, National and Enterprise do not bully anyone into coverage for the car. They inform and yes, they do get a commission on each sale. They also have to meet quotas. you don't need to make a big production of calling the 800 number (how much drama does one need?), just ask for a manager, the agent will be happy to get one for you. The Corporate Offices for Enterprise Holdings, Inc. are in Clayton, Missouri.

All rental companies try to sell coverage, they all get commissions and all need to make quotas.

When checking with your credit card company or insurance company re:coverage, ask about the loss of use. Do either of them cover that? If you are in an accident (God forbid) you are liable for the loss of use of that vechicle from the time you return it until the time it hits the rental line again.

I rented from Enterprise a few weeks ago... "You do know that your personal car insurance won't cover this rental" "You do know that you will be responsible for the full price of the car if anything happnes" "You do know that your credit card won't cover this rental" "I am sure your company doesn't want to be responsible for this car"" All this for a Toyota that probably cost $20K LOL! (It was STRIPPED)

I guess technically it's not "bullying" as they didnt' beat me or call me names, but... it's scare tactics. I finally told the agent that if he didn't shut up and just rent me the car I was walking. (It was a business rental. We are insured!)

Enterprise is off my list. 45 minutes to get the car with 15 of it attempts to "sell" me stuff I didn't need!

There was no "explaning" It was a hard sale pure and simple and it happens all the time. I would quit trying to defend your employer on this one. A simple search on here will show you WAY too many "horror" stories of outright lies or excessive pressure!

 

[networktek]

with our regular car insurance it covers us if we ever rent a car so we never get the rental car insurance

 

[KGK]

Your auto insurance will most probably cover any damage or liability you incur with the same deductibles and limits as on your own car(s).

Your auto insurance will not cover "loss of use". If the rental is being repaired for a week or two, you will be responsible for paying the daily rental charges on the car.

Separate insurance is sometimes available from the rental company to cover loss of use. It's not that expensive.

I know for a fact it's wonderful to drive back to the rental counter and say "oops, sorry the car got dented", and basically walk away. In my opinion, worth the extra $$. (Scratches, dents, broken glass, who cares, it won't spoil my vacation). I also had a run in once with the attendent who checked us back in and saw some scratches.... very subjective, no matter what they say when you're picking up the car.

 

[DebbieB]

Also check your credit card. Some will pickup the deductible and the loss of use.

I've never paid extra for the insurance and never had a problem.

 

[chartle]

Also check your credit card. Some will pickup the deductible and the loss of use.

I've never paid extra for the insurance and never had a problem.

But have you ever totaled a rental car?

 

[seashoreCM]

It's also important to remember that by Florida law, you're required to have insurance (don't remember which types though). So if you don't have any type of insurance already that will cover the rental car, then yes, you need to pay for insurance at the rental company.

I don't think the rental agency can require you to pay for insurance they offer (unless that privilege is in writing in their rules) although it is not prudent to drive without insurance, either your own or the rental company's.