Car rental insurance?

[drewboy12]

I am sure someone on here can help me out with this...

I am renting a car for ten days in August. I don't think my credit card covers me for insurance.

I currently do not own a vehicle so I do not have personal auto insurance at the moment, but I have in the past...

What is the best way of going about to get insured while renting a car?

It seems way to expensive to pay for the daily insurance through most rental companies, but will my old personal auto insurance company give me insurance for renting a car?

any info will help me out, thanks!

[ClubFlames]

If you don't have any sort of insurance then the only way to get insured is to get the rental company's insurance package.

[hillspeak]

Your best bet is either buy the coverage from the rental car company or change your credit card. A credit card will generally cover physical damage to the vehicle with a limit of $50,000.00 and is for personal type vehicles (car/minivan). This means do not rent a cube van or moving truck and think your credit card will cover.

If you are renting in the US Purchase the Liability coverage from the rental car company.

The cost of the annual fee for the credit card may be up to $150 for the year depending on your bank but it will be cheaper then the daily insurance charge.

Be sure to read the Rental Car coverages conditions if you do go this route. RBC has the terms and conditions on thier website. Check for any territory limitations.

[macker]

You will need a policy here in Alberta that is based on full coverage and then there is an edorsement #27 that will transfer your coverage here to a rental vehicle. If you carry one way or liability coverage only then you are out of luck for this coverage and will need to buy through the rental company. It is only about $30 per year to have this coverage provided you have full coverage and if you rent vehicles more than once per year well worth it. Also you can't buy the sef #27 as a stand alone coverage.

Regarding credit cards they can be helpful in the sense that if you have an accident it won't follow you back to your home province and auto policy and will go on the credit card group insurance policy so it is a "free claim" Be careful though as they typically don't cover third party liability and will just cover for damage to the rented vehicle which is likely not as big of a concern as the potential liability is. Also if you look at RBC Visa as an example they don't allow you to go beyond 48 days so there are limitations. If you are going to the States make sure you are covered for third party liability and collision and comprehensive and to be on the safe side be covered by your auto insurance provider in Alberta and mix in a credit card that has substantial rental collision/loss damage insurance.

The last place you want to be underinsured is in the US.

[macker]

Originally Posted by hillspeak

Your best bet is either buy the coverage from the rental car company or change your credit card. A credit card will generally cover physical damage to the vehicle with a limit of $50,000.00 and is for personal type vehicles (car/minivan). This means do not rent a cube van or moving truck and think your credit card will cover.

If you are renting in the US Purchase the Liability coverage from the rental car company.

The cost of the annual fee for the credit card may be up to $150 for the year depending on your bank but it will be cheaper then the daily insurance charge.

Be sure to read the Rental Car coverages conditions if you do go this route. RBC has the terms and conditions on thier website. Check for any territory limitations.

RBC will go as high as $65,000 but won't cover vans, cargo vans, or mini cargo vans, trucks, pick-up trucks, limousines, motorcycles etc.etc. etc. Basically just make sure you get a Honda Civic or similar basic four door vehicle. Also important to note that they will not cover any bodily injury to you or your family so a travel medical coverage would also be required.

[drewboy12]

thanks guys! Very helpful.