Does Travelers offer discounts on rental cars?

Rental car liability insurance is coverage that pays for injuries or property damage that you cause in an accident when you are driving a rental car. Rental car liability insurance does not protect you or your rental car from collision damage, car theft, loss of personal effects, or injuries.

Should You Get Rental Car Liability Insurance?... read full answer

In most states, some rental car liability insurance is included with the rental. However, the state-mandated minimum insurance that these cars carry might not be enough to protect you from the financial repercussions of an accident. Because of this minimal coverage, rental companies sell supplemental liability insurance at the counter. Rental car companies also offer other types of coverage like loss damage waivers, roadside assistance, and personal accident insurance.

You might already have rental car insurance through your current insurance coverage or your credit card, however. Your current auto insurance policy likely extends its liability coverage to rental cars, whereas credit cards often provide the equivalent of comprehensive or collision coverage but no liability coverage.

When Your Standard Insurance Covers Rental Cars

• You have personal auto insurance
• Your personal liability coverage limits are equal to or higher than the limits required for the vehicle that you're renting
• You're only using the rental car for personal reasons, not business-related
• You're only traveling inside the United States
• You have homeowners or renter's insurance

When Your Credit Card Covers Rental Cars

Some credit cards, including many travel rewards cards, provide rental car insurance if you use the card to pay. Here are some key things to know about how credit cards cover rentals:

• Certain cards provide primary coverage, which means you don’t have to file a claim with your insurance company before you file with the card company.
• Certain cards offer secondary coverage, meaning they pay only after your insurance company has reached its limits.
• Most cards only cover damage to the rental car, not damage to other people’s property, your property, or anyone’s injuries. So be sure to check with your credit card company to see if – and what type of – rental car insurance is included.

Getting Rental Car Liability From the Rental Company

If you do not have a personal car insurance policy and your credit card doesn’t cover you, you can purchase supplemental liability insurance from the rental car company. However, this can quickly get expensive, especially since liability insurance for the rental car is sold separately from other coverage.

If you rent cars frequently, it might be more efficient to buy rental car liability insurance from another source. For instance, travel insurance companies offer rental car liability insurance, often at lower prices. You can also buy a non-owner car insurance policy, which offers liability coverage. Another option is to compare credit cards that covers rental cars

You need some form of insurance to drive a rental car, but you only need to buy extra car insurance from the rental car company if you don’t have personal auto insurance or you’re traveling internationally. Standard car insurance policies usually extend to rental cars, so most drivers are already covered. Many ... read full answercredit cards also provide insurance against damage to the rental car itself.

You Might Need to Buy Rental Car Insurance If You:

• Don’t have a personal car insurance policy.
• Have a personal car insurance policy but your limits are low.
• Are traveling internationally and your personal insurance won’t cover you.
• Are traveling for business and your personal insurance won’t cover you.
• Don’t want to pay your normal deductible or see your premium increase if you file a claim.
• Don’t want to pay fees that your normal insurance won’t cover, like loss-of-use charges.
• Are renting a car for longer than your insurance or credit card will cover you.
• Want to avoid filing a claim with your normal insurance company if you get into an accident with the rental car.

If your car rental is covered by your standard insurance and you’re willing to pay your normal deductible, it’s fine to go without separate rental car insurance. In this case, just be sure to ask your insurer about any exclusions before the rental begins.

It’s also worth noting that even if your standard car insurance policy only includes liability coverage, you might be protected in other ways. For instance, some credit cards allow you to file claims for damage to a rental car, while homeowners, condo, or renters policies cover personal possessions.

In other words, you should consider your current insurance policies before deciding if you need rental car insurance. Additionally, if you plan on using a credit card as coverage, be sure you know about any exclusions and actions you need to take for the coverage to apply, such as declining the rental car company’s insurance options. For more details, check out WalletHub’s complete guide to rental car insurance.

Travelers rental reimbursement pays for the cost of a rental car after the policyholder’s vehicle is damaged by a covered cause, such as an accident. Rental car reimbursement insurance from Travelers usually costs less than $10 per month, and drivers can purchase a limit of up to $100 per day and up to $2,200 per claim. This coverage does not apply to rental vehicles used while the car is undergoing routine maintenance, and drivers typically need ... read full answercollision and comprehensive coverage to be eligible.

Here’s how Travelers rental reimbursement works:

1. You add rental reimbursement coverage to a Travelers car insurance policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
2. The rental reimbursement coverage kicks in when you file a collision or comprehensive claim.
3. You will pay for the rental car initially, and Travelers will reimburse you later.

In general, rental reimbursement coverage is worth it if you think you are likely going to be in a car accident and need a rental car within the next few years. If not, then you likely won’t get much from the coverage, even though it’s relatively cheap. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to rental reimbursement insurance.