Rental Car Insurance Question

[krissyh]

Just rented from Enterprise in NY.
When attempting to sell us on the insurance, the agent told us that if the rental is under my boyfriend's name and I (even as a registered and paid for additional driver) get in an accident while driving, his insurance will not pay because we are not both on the policy.

In the six years we've been together, we've rented cars at least five times and have never been told this.

I have Emerald Aisle, but the price was really that much cheaper Enterprise. I wish we had paid more and made the trek to the airport to get the car - really didn't like the Enterprise experience. And a Cobalt is a "mid-size" car? Mid-size for whom? Twelve year olds?

Any insight?

 

[tiggerrr]

I have a feeling that is in the fine print of your insurance policy. If you have a copy, you may want to read the section on temporary coverage on other vehicles. Or give them a call - they'll know what they cover. Enterprise doesn't know that. They're saying that to sell the insurance coverage, which is great profit. Of course, that doesn't mean they're wrong, just that they are motivated to sell the coverage.

Find out from your insurance company, and then you'll know what to do.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you have your own auto policy? I think if you get into the accident, it would go to your policy.

Are you using a VISA card? Most VISA cards include secondary rental car ins.

 

[krissyh]

My policy does cover rentals, but doesn't specifically say anything about being an additional driver. It is just strange that I've never heard this when renting before. Of course, the kid working there had to ask me how to spell the name of my employer. Wouldn't be a big deal except it is a local school (and town) and not tough to spell!

And, the boyfriend just hurried to a different Enterprise location because he ran an errand coming home and noticed that the "non-smoking vehicle" reeked of smoke. He doesn't notice stuff like that so it must have been really bad. I have asthma and bad allergies, so good thing he can get a different car.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The Enterprise rep is generally correct. Think of it from the perspective of his insurance company. They cover him driving the car he owns and they cover him driving non-owned cars; i.e. rental cars. But who are you to his insurance company. You're nobody. You're not their Insured and you're not a resident relative of his. If you were married, you would be. But you're not. So no coverage from his insurance.

But if you have an auto insurance policy of your own, your own insurance should cover you driving a non-owned auto (the rental car) as long as you have the permission of the owner. (the rental car company).

BobK/Orlando

 

[krissyh]

T
You're nobody. You're not their Insured and you're not a resident relative of his. If you were married, you would be. But you're not. So no coverage from his insurance.

But if you have an auto insurance policy of your own, your own insurance should cover you driving a non-owned auto (the rental car) as long as you have the permission of the owner. (the rental car company).

BobK/Orlando

So, in other words, as long as I'm a legal driver on the rental having filled out their paperwork and paid the extra driver fee, my insurance, which has rental coverage, should cover me.
Of course, we leave tomorrow and I got home after the insurance office closed.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The rental coverage you refer to is to get you a rental car in the event your car is in an accident and you need a rental car. That's not what we're talking about here.

What you really need to have on your policy is LIABILITY COVERAGES and COLLISION COVERAGE. Those coverages (on nearly every insurance policy I've ever seen) cover the Insured while driving non-owned autos with the permission of the owner. Do you have a copy of your auto insurance policy?

BobK/Orlando

 

[krissyh]

I do have my policy.

When I originally purchased the coverage, I made sure that it covered me on a rental.
What, specifically am I looking for?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I do have my policy. When I originally purchased the coverage, I made sure that it covered me on a rental.
What, specifically am I looking for?

Under both BODILY INJURY LIABILITY/PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY and COLLISON coverages, it should describe "Insured Autos". It will say something along the lines of:
1) Vehicles listed on the declarations page
2) Additional vehicles (as long as reported within 30 days)
3) Replacement vehicles (as long as reported within 30 days)
4) Temporary Substitute Autos (when your car is broken down)
5) Non-Owned Autos, as long as not furnished for your regular use and as long as there is permission of the owner.

BobK/Orlando

 

[krissyh]

Under both BODILY INJURY LIABILITY/PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY and COLLISON coverages, it should describe "Insured Autos". It will say something along the lines of:
1) Vehicles listed on the declarations page
2) Additional vehicles (as long as reported within 30 days)
3) Replacement vehicles (as long as reported within 30 days)
4) Temporary Substitute Autos (when your car is broken down)
5) Non-Owned Autos, as long as not furnished for your regular use and as long as there is permission of the owner.

BobK/Orlando

It does not say any of the above. I only see my car listed on the front and that is all.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

It does not say any of the above. I only see my car listed on the front and that is all.

You're looking at the DECLARATIONS PAGE. You should have received a little booklet with all the rules in it....that's the actual policy. What company do you have? Is their an 800# to call if your agent is closed?

BobK/Orlando

 

[krissyh]

Thanks Bob, for knowing WAY too much about car insurance.

I did call the insurance company. She told me what I thought and what I wanted to hear. I'm covered in a rental and that includes a rental under my name, but legally driving the vehicle.
I was cognizant of the ploys of rental agents attempting to sell insurance, but needed to be positive. Seems like he was skating the line between lying and scaring. Of course, BF's insurance wouldn't cover me, but that is what mine is for. So, he didn't lie, but he was a bit deceptive.

Anyway, I'm covered and relieved and we have a second car that doesn't reek of cigarettes, so now I can go panic over what to pack!

Thanks again. You are a paragon of patience and insurance knowledge. Not to mention always using the correct form of their and you're! What a man.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thanks Bob, for knowing WAY too much about car insurance.I did call the insurance company. She told me what I thought and what I wanted to hear. I'm covered in a rental and that includes a rental under my name, but legally driving the vehicle.
I was cognizant of the ploys of rental agents attempting to sell insurance, but needed to be positive. Seems like he was skating the line between lying and scaring. Of course, BF's insurance wouldn't cover me, but that is what mine is for. So, he didn't lie, but he was a bit deceptive.Anyway, I'm covered and relieved and we have a second car that doesn't reek of cigarettes, so now I can go panic over what to pack!Thanks again. You are a paragon of patience and insurance knowledge. Not to mention always using the correct form of their and you're! What a man.

You're welcome! Have a great trip.

BobK/Orlando

 

[seashoreCM]

From the devil's advocate.

What would be better?

1. The rental agent spouts out about this and that trying to get you to buy extra coverages.

2. The rental agent doesn't say anything, and you happen to get into an accident, and then you find out that your own insurance company doesn't cover the accident given the circumstances (alternate driver, etc.)

So you have to know about the terms of your own insurance and the terms of what your credit card may cover.

 

[Lewisc]

The Enterprise rep is generally correct. Think of it from the perspective of his insurance company. They cover him driving the car he owns and they cover him driving non-owned cars; i.e. rental cars. But who are you to his insurance company. You're nobody. You're not their Insured and you're not a resident relative of his. If you were married, you would be. But you're not. So no coverage from his insurance.

But if you have an auto insurance policy of your own, your own insurance should cover you driving a non-owned auto (the rental car) as long as you have the permission of the owner. (the rental car company).

BobK/Orlando

I don't follow your point. Personal auto insurance covers the car. You list your regular drivers of the car (family members). You (almost always) have coverage if you a driver specifically listed on your policy is in an accident. You loan the car to a neighbor. A cousin shares the driving on a trip. "Forgetting" to list a child who's under 25, and regularly drives the car may be different.

Different polices and different states handle rental cars differently. It's very dangerous relying on the general advice given on internet boards.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't follow your point. Personal auto insurance covers the car. You list your regular drivers of the car (family members). You (almost always) have coverage if you a driver specifically listed on your policy is in an accident. You loan the car to a neighbor. A cousin shares the driving on a trip. "Forgetting" to list a child who's under 25, and regularly drives the car may be different.

Different polices and different states handle rental cars differently. It's very dangerous relying on the general advice given on internet boards.

The OP said she confirmed it with her ins company. Personal auto insurance in most cases also follows the person when they use other cars.