Some personal insurance policies include coverage for rental cars, but it's important to check with your insurance company to know what your policy covers. Typically, your personal auto insurance will provide "primary" insurance for a car rental, which means your personal insurance will pay for any damages or losses to the rental car, excluding any deductibles.
If you don't have personal auto insurance or if you want to decline your personal insurance coverage for the rental car, you can purchase the rental company's insurance coverage at an additional cost. This coverage is optional, and it's up to you to decide if it's worth the cost for you.
Some credit cards offer rental car insurance coverage as a benefit. For example, Visa Signature cards offer collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance, which covers damage or theft to the rental car. Each card has its own eligibility requirements and limitations for this coverage, so it's important to read your credit card agreement or contact your credit card company for details. It's worth noting that credit card rental insurance typically covers only the damage to the rental car itself and not any liability claims or damages to other vehicles or property. For liability coverage, it's still a good idea to have adequate personal auto insurance or purchase supplemental liability insurance from the rental company if needed.
To ensure that you're fully covered, it's recommended that you read and understand your personal auto insurance policy and/or credit card agreement before renting a car. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your insurance company or credit card company for assistance.
