Liability and Rental Cars
When you rent a car, you generally have to make a split second decision about buying additional car insurance while standing in line at the counter. When trying to make that decision you should take three things into consideration.
One, do you have your own car insurance? While you should always call and ask ahead of time, you will find that most car insurance liability coverage carries over onto any car. This means that if you cause an accident and harm anyone or damage anything, then your insurance will provide coverage. But keep in mind, some insurance companies won’t cover damages done if the other driver is at fault. But the other driver’s insurance should cover that.
Two, a stolen car could be tricky. Remember, you may not have comprehensive coverage. So if the rental car is stolen, your own insurance might not cover the loss. This is a legitimate reason for buying rental car coverage. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you could be on the hook for the cost of the car.
Three, are you paying with a credit card? Most credit cards will cover a substantial loss if you reserve and pay with the card. So, you could have additional coverage thanks to plastic. And that could be a great way to cover the loss if the car is stolen.
Most importantly, when you rent a car, drive safely and lock the car. Be prepared by calling your insurance company and using a credit with additional coverage. If you’ve caused an accident while driving a rental car, call a personal injury attorney to help you navigate through the difficult course.
