Wow.NYS Auto Insurance no longer covers Rental Cars...

[debden]

I just got a notice from my NYS Auto Insurer that they no longer cover Rental Cars...A new law removed the $100 Cap and now you have to pay the FULL amount of the damage and rental time lost to the company if you get in an accident with your rental car.Wow,not exactly good news for those of us from New York State.
I had to revise my car rental reservation...I was paying $42.82 for 2 days and now with the $21 per day Collision Damage Waiver it totals $89.18 for a 2 day rental.The CDW costs as much as the 2 day rental.
I am not very happy about this because I like to rent a car instead of transfers.It gives us more freedom and it was cheaper until now....
Debbie

 

[seashoreCM]

Do you have, or can you get, a credit card with a "rental collision benefit" Preferably with "loss of use" included.

Can you switch insurance companies and find a company that still does cover...? Perhaps covers rentals out of (your home) state?

While the credit card coverage is secondary, they pay everything your own insurance company does not pay, up to say, $25,000. or whatever they (the credit card co) say.

A small number of renatl companies including Payless, L&M, and EZ, reserve the right not to rent to you if your own car does not have insurance that also covers rentals and you decline CDW.

Rental hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/carrent.htm

One of my college classmates, a born and raised New Yorker, still lives in NYC, doesn't own a car, and takes the train to Connecticut or New Jersey when he wants to rent a car at cheaper rates for a vacation.

 

[DVC-Don]

State law and it's been in effect for about a year now, does not matter what company. Lot of confusion as the the law is very hard to read and understand. We are covered under our credit cards benefits though.

 

[GoldenOldie]

The coverage may be available as a paid add on just like flood insurance on a house. Just because it isn't included in the basic policy doesn't necessarily mean it isn't available.

 

[DebbieB]

I would talk to your agent before you add it on to your reservation.

 

[debden]

I contacted my Credit Card Company and they do not have a Rental Collision Benefit. In my letter it states that this is a 'recent' law put into effect in NYS. I did look further to see if they offered Rental Car Coverage as an 'add on' and there was nothing indicating I could pay a premium to have this coverage. I am contacting my Auto Ins. company today to see if Rental Car Coverage is an option....
Thank you for your responses,
Debbie

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

AAA coverage will fill in the gap, right?

 

[ducklite]

I don't believe so. The coverage I have from AAA doesn't cover any collision or liability. It just gives emergency road service, tows, and some traveler services such as trip tiks, reservations, and travelers checks.

Anne

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I liked renting cars out of NYS for just this reason...even though the rental cost was higher the sum was less than the cost of a NJ rental with insurance.

I'd call your insurance company or even better skim through the policy that they sent you. Ditto for the credit card. Visa and Mastercard have websites that detail what the benefits are. The reason I say find the documentation for yourself is that the person you are speaking to may misinterpret your question ...or plain not know what they are talking about (I had this happen with Mastercard). No matter what anyone tells you on the phone its the written documentation that will rule in the end. Plus its always a good idea to check on the local state laws regarding car rentals if you are renting there for the first time. You never know what quirky laws they have in place that might be to your benefit.

PS. AAA doesn't insure damage to cars unless you actually purchased insurance from AAA Midlantic Insurance Company (which was nicely affordable while I had it).

 

[C.Ann]

Really? No insurer in NY covers rental cars anymore?

Well that stinks!!

 

[Niagara2]

Time to call my agent. I never knew that about NYS. Really???

 

[DMRick]

I'll be calling tomorrow. I knew that they were changing the laws on leased cars here in NY, but when I asked the last time I rented, they said the rental was still insured, and I would collect from them first, credit card second. Thanks.

 

[C.Ann]

I'll be calling tomorrow. I knew that they were changing the laws on leased cars here in NY, but when I asked the last time I rented, they said the rental was still insured, and I would collect from them first, credit card second. Thanks.

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Let us know what you find out - okay?

 

[DMRick]

Well, as I'm sure others did, I called my insurance company first thing this morning. I'm assuming that must be something your own insurance company changed, because ours is as was. As long as you rent for 30 days or less, for personal use, we'll continue on with full coverage, no deductible for rental cars. We're with Hartford through AARP.
Whew!

 

[DVC-Don]

Bill 7742 amended NY General Business Law 396-z. Signed on 11/26/02 and in effect on 2/24/03. Basically said that insurance companies are not required to cover rental vehicles anymore. Some still do, but at the companies discression.

 

[DMRick]

Bill 7742 amended NY General Business Law 396-z. Signed on 11/26/02 and in effect on 2/24/03. Basically said that insurance companies are not required to cover rental vehicles anymore. Some still do, but at the companies discression.
********
I think that is something different from what the OP was talking about. My insurance company said this morning there is no NYS statue/law/bill, that agrees with the OP's note that she got, that NY will not cover rentals. As I said, perhaps her insurance company has decided to not cover her rental cars any longer. My policy has always stated it was covered, in two pages attached to my policy titled Rental Vehicle Coverage Endorsement. I did not pay extra for this, and as I stated, it's through Hartford Ins AARP.