Can You Rent A Car WIthout Auto Insurance?

Maybe the question should be – should you rent a car without car insurance!

Many licensed drivers, especially in large cities with good transportation, do not own their own vehicles. If a person usually depends upon a business owned (and covered) vehicle or mass transit, they may decide it is not worth the expense to own their own car. In this case, they probably do not carry their own auto insurance policy.

It is very reasonable to assume that these non-vehicle owners may depend upon rentals for the few times they would like to have a personal car to take somewhere. How do rental companies handle this situation?

When you rent a vehicle, you are responsible for any damage. If you have an accident while driving your rental, you could also be liable for damage to another vehicle or other property. It is just as important to protect yourself as it would be if you owned the car.

Some credit cards offer coverage whenever you rent a car. However, be careful. The types of coverage these offers will cover vary a lot For example, your credit card may cover damage to the rental car, but it may not cover liability to another vehicle.

So be sure you are covered for:

• Damage to the rental vehicle
• Damage to other vehicles or property
• Personal Injury to yourself, passengers, or other people

You can always opt in to the daily coverage the rental companies provide. It can be a little expensive, but it will be a lot cheaper than being responsible for vehicle damage if you do have a wreck.

Even if you do have auto insurance, be sure and check how it covers you when you rent a car. Again, policies can vary wildly. Make sure your have the protection you need.