When someone rents a car, the automobile rental companies hold the renter accountable under the rental agreement for damage to their car. They offer a Damage Waiver at an extra cost. This Damage Waiver is not insurance, but a contractual agreement between the renter and rental company. If a waiver is not purchased, it is important to review your own automobile policy to determine if any extension of coverage applies. Also, establish how the liability coverage afforded by your policy applies in the event you are at fault in an accident with the rented vehicle. In California, you are required to have auto insurance regardless of whether you are driving your own car or if you are renting one.
Rental car agencies do provide wide range of auto insurance coverage and it would not be prudent to blindly select rental car insurance as every policy offers its individual advantages under particular situations. You should examine each policy so offered and judge it against the requirements you have. It would be prudent to discuss the policy with the car rental agent, rather than just read the summary over the website.
Sometimes you are not required to purchase any car rental insurance because you are already covered by your car insurance. Usually, your coverage does remain the same with a rented car as it would if you would be driving your own vehicle. Also, you could be covered by auto insurance coverage under your credit cards. You should check with your credit card company about the coverage to which you are entitled.
Before you rent a vehicle, check the financial and insurance obligation you will face, and find out how these would be covered by your own auto insurance. In case you do need to exercise your insurance policy and realize that certain aspect is not currently covered, you should check if it would be covered under other insurance policies.
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