How does Liberty Mutual rental reimbursement work?

Yes, your car insurance covers rental cars, in most cases. Standard auto insurance policies cover car rentals in the U.S., up to your normal policy limits and with your regular deductible, but it’s best to check the details of your car insurance policy to make sure you’re aware of any specific rental car restrictions.... read full answer

In addition, other policies, like health or home insurance, kick in for certain situations. Your health insurance will usually cover injuries resulting from a car crash, and home or renters policies cover items stolen from a car. Also, depending on the credit card you used to rent a car, you may be able to file a claim through it, too.

When Your Car Insurance Does Not Cover Rental Cars

Although every standard car insurance company has its own criteria for covering rental cars, a few situations are commonly excluded.

• Most insurers do not cover rental cars outside of the U.S., though you can buy specialty rental car or travel insurance to fulfill another country’s insurance requirements.
• If you get into an accident, the rental car company may charge you for things that your insurance won’t pay for, like loss-of-use or administrative fees.
• Many personal car insurance policies do not cover cars rented for business reasons
• Most companies have time limits, meaning that your insurance will cover a rental car for a few weeks or a month at most.
• If you carry full coverage, your insurance will only pay for the limits established by the value of your usual car, even if the rental car is worth more.

When to Buy Additional Rental Car Insurance

• You don’t have your own car insurance policy.
• You have a personal insurance policy but want additional coverage.
• You are renting a car for business purposes.
• You are renting a car outside of the U.S.

Keep in mind that not every state requires rental car companies to automatically provide the minimum mandated insurance coverage. In California, for example, you need to carry a personal car insurance policy with liability coverage or purchase the rental car company’s additional liability coverage in order to drive legally.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s full guide to rental car insurance.

Yes, Liberty Mutual offers rental car insurance. If you already have a personal auto policy with Liberty Mutual that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, this insurance will likely extend to cover your rental car. If you only have liability insurance with Liberty Mutual, physical damage to the rental vehicle will not be covered.... read full answer

You can talk to a Liberty Mutual customer service representative at 1 (800) 290-8711 to see if your personal policy will extend to your rental car. If you do not have sufficient coverage through Liberty Mutual to cover your rental car, you can purchase insurance from your rental car company, or see if it is offered by your credit card company.

Liberty Mutual Rental Car Coverage

Liability Insurance. Liberty Mutual liability insurance will usually extend to your rental as long as you are driving in the U.S. Your personal liability insurance will pay for others’ medical expenses and repairs to others’ property resulting from an accident you caused in your rental vehicle.

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance. If you have collision and comprehensive insurance with Liberty Mutual, this will typically cover any damage that occurs to the rental vehicle itself during your rental period. However, your Liberty Mutual collision and comprehensive coverage limits may not be high enoughif you are renting a car with a much higher value than your personal vehicle and the car gets totaled.

Personal Injury Protection or MedPay. If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay through your personal auto policy, medical expenses for you and your passengers will be covered even after a rental car accident. If you do not have either type of coverage, you can purchase personal accident insurance through the rental car company.

Liberty Mutual also offers rental car reimbursement coverage, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your personal vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim. If you add rental reimbursement to your policy, Liberty Mutual will pay about $30 to $90 toward the cost of your rental, up to 30 days. You select specific rental car reimbursement limits when you purchase the add-on. For example, if you choose $25 per day/$600 per loss as your rental reimbursement limits, Liberty Mutual will pay up to $25 per day, but no more than $600 per claim for your rental. Allstate also offers discounts from rental companies like Enterprise and Hertz to make your coverage stretch even further.

To learn more, check out reviews of Liberty Mutual on WalletHub, as well as our guide to rental car insurance.

No, you do not need insurance to rent a car because rental companies have their own insurance. Rental car companies usually provide minimum liability coverage only, so if you don’t have personal insurance, you’ll probably want to purchase extra rental car insurance through the rental company. If your personal car is insured and you pay for your rental with a credit card, you can probably skip the optional coverage offered at the rental counter.... read full answer

Coverage Offered by Rental Car Companies

• Collision Damage Waiver:

Covers: Damage to the rental car in an accident

Similar to: Collision and comprehensive

• Supplemental Liability

Covers: Damage and injuries to the other driver from an accident you cause

Similar to: Bodily injury and property damage liability

• Personal Accident

Covers: Medical costs for injuries to you and your passengers

Similar to: Personal injury protection, MedPay and health insurance

• Personal Effects

Covers: Personal items stolen out of the rental car

Similar to: Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance

You don’t have to purchase all of these coverage types to be protected while driving your rental. But minimum liability insurance carried by the rental car company isn’t enough protection if you get into an accident.

When You Don't Need The Rental Company's Insurance

Before you buy the rental company’s insurance, you should consider what coverage you may already have through your personal car insurance. The coverage limits and deductibles you have on your personal vehicle typically still apply to rentals, as long as you’re renting for personal use. Many major credit cards also offer coverage for rental cars if you pay with your card and decline the collision damage waiver offered by the rental company.