Despite the popularity of ride-sharing services, demand for rental cars and the insurance needed to protect them continues to increase. Although there are many different situations in which you may need to rent a vehicle, the two most common are as:
- Replacement for your primary car after an accident
- Transportation when you’re traveling
Understanding how your
car insurance applies in each of these situations can prepare you for the unexpected and help you have peace of mind. Whether you’ve rented a car after an accident or need it for sightseeing while on vacation, we can help keep it protected.
Do I Need Car Insurance for Rental Cars?
If you’re renting a car for vacation or because you’ve been in an accident, you may wonder, “
do I need rental car insurance or will my existing insurance cover me?” You will need rental insurance if your current auto policies don’t extend to rental cars. To find out if your coverages help protect vehicles you rent, you’ll want to ask yourself:
- What type of car insurance coverages are on your policy? In most cases, you’ll need collision coverage on at least one automobile. This covers damages to your car if you’re in an accident with another vehicle or object.
- Where are you going on vacation? Typically, you’ll need to be traveling within the United States, its territories, Puerto Rico or Canada to qualify for rental coverage through your auto policy.
If you meet both of these conditions, comprehensive and collision coverages may extend to your rental vehicle. If you have multiple cars on your policy with different deductibles, the lower deductible usually applies. You can also check with your insurance company to understand your specific policy coverages.
Still not sure if your auto policy with The Hartford also covers rental cars on vacation? Let the
rental car coverage calculator help you estimate the amount of protection that’s available to you.
Regular vs. Rental Car Insurance Coverage
Rental Car Liability Coverage
Most states require you to have liability coverage whether you own or rent the car you’re driving. That’s why rental companies usually offer loss damage waivers or a collision damage waiver. Signing this waiver will prevent you from being financially responsible if someone breaks into your rented car to steal your property or there’s other damage to the vehicle.
However, if you have your own car insurance coverages, they often extend to rental cars you use. These coverages include:
If you don’t sign the loss damage waiver and don’t have your own auto liability coverage that extends to your rental car, you could have to pay for damages out of pocket.
Keep in mind that you can get rental car insurance from many credit card companies. In some cases, your credit card may even have better rates than coverages from a rental car company. The best way to learn more about credit card coverage is to check the benefits your credit card company offers.
Personal Effects Coverage
If someone steals your personal items out of your rental car, you’ll need personal effects coverage to help replace them. You can get this protection from your rental company.
In some cases, your homeowners or renters insurance can help cover any items stolen while you’re away from your property. This means you’ll want to check your home policies before you pay your rental company for this coverage.
Personal Accident Coverage
To help pay for any injuries to you or your passengers if you’re in a car accident with your rental vehicle, you can buy personal accident insurance from your rental car company.
How Car Insurance Helps You Get a Rental Car After an Accident
With car policies from the AARP
® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford,
1 you can get
rental car reimbursement coverage. This means if you damage your vehicle and it needs repairs after an accident, we’ll help pay for a rental car so you can keep up with your responsibilities, like:
- Going to work
- Running errands
- Keeping your scheduled appointments
Does My Car Insurance Cover Rentals?
To find out if you have rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll want to look at your auto policies. This coverage depends on whether you have collision coverage, comprehensive insurance or both. If you have both, then your rental reimbursement insurance will help pay for your rental while your car gets repaired. However, if you only have one of these coverages, your rental car reimbursement will kick in only for losses that are included for the policy you have.
Also, keep in mind that the amount of rental reimbursement coverage you have will influence the type of rental vehicle you can get without paying out of pocket. So, if your policy only covers up to $20 a day, and you’d prefer to rent an SUV that’s $40 a day, you’ll have to pay the difference.
To get more coverage, you can adjust your policy by speaking with your insurance representatives. The Hartford’s specialists are available at
888-413-8970 and can help guide you through our insurance options. You can also log into
The Hartford’s Customer Service Center to:
- Estimate the cost to add optional rental car reimbursement coverage
- Decide whether the additional insurance meets your needs
- Submit a change to increase your coverage for rental car expenses
Based on an average vehicle rental fee and an average vehicle rental length of 13 days.
Collision Damage Waiver
It may make sense to reject the collision damage waiver (CDW) offered at the rental car counter if you already have coverage. But if you’re traveling abroad, your auto coverage may not help protect you in other countries. You’ll want to check with your insurance provider before you travel. Some rental companies also require payment for damages when you return the car. This means you’ll need to pay right away, and you’ll want to make sure you have the funds to do so, even if your insurance reimburses you later on.
To learn more, speak with The Hartford’s representatives at
888-413-8970. They can explain each insurance product you have and let you know if they extend to rental cars. You can also file a claim by calling us at
800-243-5860.
Last Updated: September 21, 2023
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