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Rental Car Insurance NOB


Joyfull

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This is a problem for those of us without US insurance policies. My Mexican car insurance does not cover me abroad. My credit card covers collision but not liability. The best solution is if you are going to visit relatives or friends, have them rent a car they use during the time you are there while you use their car. That way both are covered. But of course many don't have that option for various reasons. I've had my sister inquire about adding me to their policy but because I don't physically live there, although it is my mailing address, their company would not do that, even though I still have my driver's license from the same state. I don't know what the ramifications would be of taking out US insurance on a car as if you were going to drive it to the US but actually never do but rather rent a car because your insurance covers you on any car you drive. It is a problem and if anybody finds a solution I'd be happy to hear it. I have even had a rental company refuse to rent to me because I wouldn't take their "third party liability" coverage. So I went to the Enterprise counter next to them and rented there but, of course, did not get a great deal since I didn't reserve with them ahead of time.

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We use rentalcars.com. They provide several insurance options when renting their vehicles at what we feel are reasonable rates.

Even though we have a credit card which provides collision coverage on rental cars we always take the package including T.P liability and collision coverage. If you have an accident the rental car company charges your credit card for the physical damage to their vehicle and lets you deal with your credit card company to collect from them. It can be a lengthy at frustrating process.

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We have lived here for over 5 years and travel to the States often. Have been on a wing and a prayer without taking the extra coverage all this time. I have a gut feeling our days on a wing and a prayer are numbered and now want the extra insurance. This is a good thread as I know of many others in this situation.

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We use rentalcars.com. They provide several insurance options when renting their vehicles at what we feel are reasonable rates.

Even though we have a credit card which provides collision coverage on rental cars we always take the package including T.P liability and collision coverage. If you have an accident the rental car company charges your credit card for the physical damage to their vehicle and lets you deal with your credit card company to collect from them. It can be a lengthy at frustrating process.

When I look at their page I only see that collision damage waiver and theft protection are included but no listing for liability insurance. It is not clear to me exactly what the collision damage waiver covers either.

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When I look at their page I only see that collision damage waiver and theft protection are included but no listing for liability insurance. It is not clear to me exactly what the collision damage waiver covers either.

Third party liability coverage is usually included when using rentalcars.com when renting in the USA.

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The coverage provided by the rental car company includes both damage as well as liability. However, that protection is limited to the minimum state requirements which is not all that high and varies by state.

Even if you have your own auto insurance policy, if it does not have limits above the state minimum it probably does not provide any protection above what the rental car company must provide. If you have higher limits on your own auto insurance policy you have that higher level of protection.

If you have your own insurance AND an umbrella policy you probably have additional protection - up to the limits of that policy. But none of that is unlimited. You could still be involved in an accident that exceeds all of those limits.

One other comment on having someone else rent the car and then allowing you to use it. Not necessarily a good idea. Check very carefully to make sure what the rental contract says about "additional drivers". In some cases "family members" are automatically allowed as additional drivers - but not always. You may have to sign up for that and may have to pay an extra fee. Even if a "family member" rents the care in most cases only certain family members are included - children, parents, probably Yes - uncles, cousins, probably No. And there is almost no case where a friend can rent the car and allow you to use it without explicitly adding you as an additional driver. Even then there could be problems. Just not a good idea.

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Third party liability coverage is usually included when using rentalcars.com when renting in the USA.

I could not find any mention of liability coverage on their page, just colllision damage waiver and theft protection. I would be reluctant to rent assuming liability coverage was included. Can you cite where it states it is included? I am interested because I rent a lot in the US and this has always been a concern of mine.

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If you are referring to my post, this is what I wrote: "The best solution is if you are going to visit relatives or friends, have them rent a car they use during the time you are there while you use their car." I did not in any way mean to say that you would use the car they rent. They would use the rental car (you pay the cost) and you use their car. My understanding is that their insurance will cover them on a rental car as well as cover any car they own as long as the driver has their permission to use it, thus covering their car when you are driving it as well as the rental car.

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bdlngton - Sorry I didn't read your comments on having someone else rent a car more carefully. Your comments make sense. Since insurance coverage follows the car there would be coverage for you using their car - up to the limits of their policy.

As to liability under the rental company's policy - here is a quote from this site -

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/06/04/should-you-purchase-rental-car-insurance

"The rental companies are required to provide statutory minimum liability coverage," Abrams says. "But in a significant event, that's not going to do much for you." Statutory minimum liability coverage provides some protection to individuals involved in an accident while driving a rental vehicle — the same minimum coverage that would apply to personal coverage."

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I could not find any mention of liability coverage on their page, just colllision damage waiver and theft protection. I would be reluctant to rent assuming liability coverage was included. Can you cite where it states it is included? I am interested because I rent a lot in the US and this has always been a concern of mine.

I had previously asked them about liability coverage and enclosed is their reply.

Dear Sir:

Thank you for your email.

The third party liability is mostly included in rentals in the USA, depending on the supplier.

Kind regards,

Soha Shakeel

Reservations Department - rentalcars.com

Floors 9-12

Sunlight House

Quay Street

Manchester

M3 3JZ

UK

e: reservations-uk@rentalcars.com

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Citibank cards, like my American Airlines MC, will cover the rental car for 30 days. Chase will cover it for 15 days. You can put the rental on the card and decline at CDW coverage. If it a longer term rental, you can go back at the end of one period and can write a new contract for the next period.

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Citibank cards, like my American Airlines MC, will cover the rental car for 30 days. Chase will cover it for 15 days. You can put the rental on the card and decline at CDW coverage. If it a longer term rental, you can go back at the end of one period and can write a new contract for the next period.

I am aware that most credit cards to cover at least some of the CDW. It is the liability issue that more concerns me.

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As discussed in this thread you may have insurance from one or several sources when renting a car - your own personal auto policy, the rental company's minimum required coverage, additional insurance purchased from the rental company, coverage provided by a credit card, other coverage, etc.

And while some or all of these approaches may "cover liability" none of them cover unlimited liability. They will ALL have a specific limit on how much they will pay. That limit may or may not be adequate - especially in the event of a serious accident. You may need to combine several of these sources to put together enough coverage to make you comfortable.

Just like any other form of insurance you should understand exactly what is covered, what is not covered, limits, deductibles, exclusions, who is covered, and a number of other details. Otherwise you are likely to have a BIG surprise if you ever need to actually use the insurance.

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I was involved in a fender bender in Ca in a rental car recently. I waived all coverage from Budget, as I knew my Visa had good coverage. Ha. Well the adjusters for other driver found me at fault despite no contact being made. Other driver swerved and hit a pole and they find me at fault. now I am on the hook for $4k in damages to the other car.

As some have noted,Visa does not provide liability. So I am exposed to some significant liability that I really did not consider. Scary had it been serious wreck.

I will call Budget and see if they have that statuatory minimum coverage. Great tip. That would save me.

If not I am out 4gs. Big lesson. I just today paid $15 per day for liability with Budget. It sucks but better than the risk I was running. If someone were to be hurt, in the US it could $100k plus easy.

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For USAA members who DO NOT have a car insured in the U.S. They have a very cheap policy called a "touring policy" that provides liability coverage for occasional rentals anywhere in the world, we us to have this policy until we obtained a car that was registered in the U.S. If I recall correctly it was a $300K policy covering liability and physical damage and the cost was only $5 per year.

This was several years ago so I am not sure if they still have this, however it's well worth looking into. Pllease remember this is a very specific policy and will not substitute for your regulat policy! Read the coverages provided very carefully!

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The other party's adjuster can't really "find you at fault". They can make that assertion and have that opinion but it doesn't really have any legal standing. A police officer can issue you a ticket that says you are at fault. A court can render a legal opinion that says you are at fault. A claim adjuster - yours or theirs - can't actually "find you at fault". But obviously it is in their best interest to try to get you to pay so they won't have to. If you think about it they have nothing to lose by trying that and hoping it works.

Some things to think about. Was anyone issued a ticket? Is there a police report? Did you receive a ticket that says you caused the accident and the damage to the other car? If so you may be stuck. Otherwise you may have some other options.

Bottom line is that the other party's adjuster can "decide" you are at fault and send you a bill and hope you pay it. You may be able to find coverage from Budget but you may have to fight the claim from the other party by getting a lawyer. It will cost you some money but may be cheaper than just paying the $4k.

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