Rental Car "Extras"

[MacDalt]

I just reserved a rental car to drive from Indiana to Florida. Ive never rented before. What "extras" or insurances do you buy? Which are not worth it? I read a little bit about a Damage Waiver and Personal Liability(?) insurance? Are these necessary or recommended? Needless to say, Im clueless! Thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

All of all of the extra rental coverages make big profits for the rental company. Therefore in the long run, on average they are not good buys for the renter.

Except if you don't have the coverage from some other source, namely don't have liability or collision coverage on a car you own back at home, then you may need to buy the coverage from the rental company.

Buying a tankful of gas up front is a bad buy no matter how long you keep the car and how many miles you drive. It is almost impossible to bring the car back empty without danger of running out of gas before you get back. For every gallon of gas left behind, the cost per gallon of the gas you did use ends up being higher. It is not unusual for 2-1/2 gallons to be left behind even when the gauge shows empty. But the convenience of not having to buy gas just before returning the car may be worth it to you.

(Filling up the night before is another way around buying the tankful up front; if you forget to top off at return time you only have to buy a small amount at higher prices..)

 

[gdrj]

I just reserved a rental car to drive from Indiana to Florida. Ive never rented before. What "extras" or insurances do you buy? Which are not worth it? I read a little bit about a Damage Waiver and Personal Liability(?) insurance? Are these necessary or recommended? Needless to say, Im clueless! Thanks!

In most cases you will be covered by your personal auto insurance, especially if you have collision insurance already. Some credit cards also will provide protection if you use their card when reserving using that credit card.

I recommend that you call your insurance company or agent up and have them review the specifics with your policy NOT all policies are the same. Also do the same with your credit card companies on what they do and do not cover. They should be able to lead you to the information on their website. By the way many car insurances EXCLUDE truck rentals (i.e u-haul and trailers). Below is a article from US News Money.

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/06/04/should-you-purchase-rental-car-insurance

 

[MacDalt]

So you are saying that if I have full coverage(which I do) at home, then that's really all I need?

 

[hpriamson]

You'll want to confirm with your agent or from your policy that your normal auto coverage will also cover a rental car, but yes, if it does, that's probably all you need. Your credit card may also cover the deductible as well, as long as you use it to rent the car.

See this thread for discussion of loss-of-use and reduced resale value charges and the waivers for them. IMHO an unnecessary expense, but it's your decision.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3075094

 

[maurene]

I thought mousesavers did a pretty good job of summarizing insurance issues: http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation-for-disney-vacations/rental-car-discounts/#insurance

 

[MacDalt]

I thought mousesavers did a pretty good job of summarizing insurance issues: http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation-for-disney-vacations/rental-car-discounts/#insurance

Thanks! Very helpful!