Author Topic: Liability insurance for rental car  (Read 2199 times)

dodojojo

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Liability insurance for rental car
« on: May 16, 2018, 10:01:28 AM »
I do not have a car therefore I do not carry car insurance.  I do rent cars at least a couple of times a year when I visit family in Los Angeles.  I've always just bought liability insurance through the car rental company.  Unfortunately,  their rates (Hertz in this instance) have gone up quite a bit--about $14-15 daily.  Adds up over a week or two.

I know it's a long shot but is there a way to buy the same coverage but not from the rental car company?  I vaguely remember doing so a few years ago--buying from an online company and the coverage was good for the days paid regardless of car/car rental company. 
« Last Edit: May 16, 2018, 10:04:11 AM by dodojojo »

PMG

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2018, 10:04:48 AM »
Non owner operator car insurance covers liability when you drive a car you do not own. The policy doesn't usually include collision or comprehensive, but might suit your needs.

zygote

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2018, 10:36:04 AM »
I have the same problem.

I usually rent cars through Expedia and prepay the liability insurance when I book the car. When I reserved a car from Thrifty a few weeks ago, the rate was $10/day. Still adds up, but it's better than the $14-15 you quoted.

red_pill

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2018, 11:13:07 AM »
My credit card includes rental car coverage (obviously I have to use the card to rent the car for it to be in effect).

EDIT - sorry, I checked my cardholder agreement and it does not include liability. My mistake.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2018, 05:19:43 PM by red_pill »

dodojojo

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2018, 11:52:51 AM »
Credit card insurance usually doesn't cover liability though.  I have asked both AMEX and Citibank and the cards  I have with them doesn't offer liability when it comes to rental car insurance.

dodojojo

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2018, 11:54:01 AM »
Non owner operator car insurance covers liability when you drive a car you do not own. The policy doesn't usually include collision or comprehensive, but might suit your needs.

But that's for a year or 1/2 year right?  I mean you can't buy a cheap plan that just covers when you rent the car?

PMG

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2018, 12:37:12 PM »
Non owner operator car insurance covers liability when you drive a car you do not own. The policy doesn't usually include collision or comprehensive, but might suit your needs.

But that's for a year or 1/2 year right?  I mean you can't buy a cheap plan that just covers when you rent the car?

Correct. I paid about $120 for six months coverage. Depends how often you rent when you would come out ahead.  You can cancel the policy early.


Now that you mention it I do remember wishing for easy "occasional" insurance.


IF I recall correctly, credit card rental insurance is usually secondary insurance and invalid if you don't have primary insurance.

 An insurance agent at a local office might have good ideas.

frugaliknowit

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Re: Liability insurance for rental car
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2018, 01:16:37 PM »
No, credit card coverage does NOT include liability (only collision, maybe theft).

Some years back, I received some quotes and determined it is worth buying non-owner coverage if you rent approximately 30+ days per year (also depends on how much liability coverage you want).  Some insurance agents will have no idea of what you are talking about when you refer to non-owner coverage (perhaps because they don't offer it).