If my car breaks down, will insurance cover a rental?

Extended car warranties are worth it if a driver doesn’t carry sufficient savings to pay for vehicle system repairs or is worried about their car’s reliability. But for most drivers, extended car warranties go unused, so the potential benefits are not enough to justify the upfront cost.

When An Extended Car Warranty Is Worth It … read full answer

A good time to consider the value of an extended warranty is when the manufacturer’s warranty on your vehicle has expired or will expire soon. This typically happens after three years or 36,000 miles, depending on which comes first. If you plan on keeping your car beyond the manufacturer warranty’s expiration, then purchasing an extended warranty might give you peace of mind moving forward.

An extended warranty might also be worth it if you’re concerned about your ability to pay for major mechanical repairs in the future. Car repairs cost about $400 on average, which is less than the $1,500 average for an extended warranty. On the other hand, the least common and most catastrophic mechanical failures can often cost several thousands of dollars to repair.

If your car isn’t very reliable and you’re not in the financial position to risk either paying for repairs or replacing the car yourself, it might be worth it to pay a higher upfront cost for protection through an extended warranty.

When An Extended Car Warranty Isn’t Worth It

• Your car is reliable
• Your car is not worth very much
• Your car is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
• You have a large enough emergency fund to pay for major vehicle repairs

Bear in mind that you don’t have to purchase an extended warranty when you buy your car. It’s likely a smart move for you to wait until the manufacturer’s warranty is about to expire to evaluate your situation and determine whether you want to pay for an extended warranty. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to the best extended car warranties.

Yes, USAA offers discounts on rental cars from Enterprise, Avis, Budget and Hertz Car Rental. The exact amount of a USAA rental car discount depends on factors such as the type of car and the length of the rental period, but USAA customers can save up to 25%. In order to get a discount, you will need to provide the rental car company with your USAA policy number.… read full answer

USAA Rental Car Discounts

Can I Use USAA’s Insurance for My Rental Car?

If you have liability, comprehensive, or collision coverage on your USAA policy, they will transfer to your rental car. Your rental car will have the same coverage limits as your personal car. As long as the car you’re renting is of similar value to your own, you can probably skip the rental company’s coverage. You’ll also want to pass on rental insurance at the counter if you plan to use a credit card as secondary coverage.

Progressive rental car insurance is included in your personal car insurance policy, and a rental car has the same coverage with the same limits as your personal car. If you only have liability coverage, your insurance will pay for the other driver’s injuries and property damage in an at-fault accident. You need … read full answercomprehensive and collision coverage on your personal car for insurance to pay for property damage to the rental.

When Progressive Rental Car Insurance Is Not Enough

If you rent a car similar in value to your personal vehicle, you probably have enough insurance. But if you decide to rent a luxury car and usually drive an old clunker, you might want extra coverage. You can get a collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental company, which leaves them responsible if the car is damaged or stolen. You may have rental insurance from your credit card company, too, if you decline the rental company’s waiver.

Other Types of Insurance to Consider When Renting a Car

In addition to a CDW, rental car companies offer a few other types of insurance if you don’t have enough coverage with your Progressive policy. These include supplemental liability protection, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage. The insurance offered by the rental company often duplicates coverage drivers already have through health, life, and auto insurance.

Each policy is unique, though, and there may be certain exclusions based on your specific situation. It’s important to confirm the details of your policy by calling customer service at 1-888-671-4405 before declining additional coverage at the rental counter.

Progressive Rental Car Reimbursement

Progressive also offers rental car reimbursement, which helps pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim. Progressive will typically pay between $30 and $60 per day, for up to 30 days, toward the cost of your rental. You can find out how much this optional coverage will cost and add it to your policy using your policy number online, or by calling customer service.