Do You Need that Rental Car Coverage?WARWICK, R.I. -- There's a lot to consider when planning for vacation, and obtaining insurance for a rental vehicle is probably not top of mind for most consumers. However, many become fully aware when they discover that in some instances, rental insurance can cost as much as actually renting the vehicle. But is that rental car coverage really a necessity? "Many times, purchasing full rental insurance is unnecessary," says Cathy Lewis, MetLife Auto & Home's National Rental Coordinator. "A rental vehicle used on vacation qualifies as a 'non-owned automobile' under most personal auto policies, meaning that your vehicle's coverage carries over to any vehicle that you rent." If the auto policy doesn't provide coverage, a credit card might. Most credit card companies commonly provide insurance protection for rental cars, if the full amount of the rental is charged to the card. This is generally called "secondary" insurance, because it will only pay when one's personal auto policy does not. Consumers should always check with their creditors to understand the services provided, and the coverage limitations. Either way, there are times when additional insurance coverage may come in handy Verb 1. come in handy - be useful for a certain purpose be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" . The key is to consider how the level of protection "stacks up" against the protection the rental car company is offering. When making the decision to purchase rental insurance, it's important to ask: --Do I need collision damage waivers collision damage waiver n (Insurance) → rachat m de franchise collision damage waiver collide n (Insurance) → ? With a collision damage waiver, the rental company agrees not to hold the renter responsible for accidental damage or loss, as long as the conditions of the contract aren't violated. If it's determined that any damage would be covered under an insurance policy or credit card, it's safe to waive To intentionally or voluntarily relinquish a known right or engage in conduct warranting an inference that a right has been surrendered. For example, an individual is said to waive the right to bring a tort action when he or she renounces the remedy provided by law for such the waiver. In addition, in some states, "partial collision damage waiver" are offered, which will cover the cost of any deductible That which may be taken away or subtracted. In taxation, an item that may be subtracted from gross income or adjusted gross income in determining taxable income (e.g., interest expenses, charitable contributions, certain taxes). that the automobile policy contains. --Is additional liability coverage necessary? Rental companies offer the option of purchasing liability insurance, although personal auto policies already provide liability insurance in the event someone is injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. in an accident. Is more coverage necessary? It depends on one's level of comfort, but keep in mind that if the state where the accident occurs requires higher minimum limits than what one's personal policy affords, auto insurers are legally required to provide that state's minimum level of coverage. --Does my personal auto policy provide complete coverage if I have an accident in a rental car? If the vehicle needs repair work, a personal insurance policy may not pay for rental agency expenses, such as loss of rental income Noun 1. rental income - income received from rental properties income - the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time while the auto is out of service, or other "incidental Contingent upon or pertaining to something that is more important; that which is necessary, appertaining to, or depending upon another known as the principal. Under Workers' Compensation statutes, a risk is deemed incidental to employment when it is related to whatever a " items such as towing, storage, and administrative costs administrative costs, n.pl the overhead expenses incurred in the operation of a dental benefits program, excluding costs of dental services provided. that the rental company may incur. In all cases, the best bet for consumers is to place a quick call to his or her insurance carrier or local agent before leaving on vacation. "Your local insurance expert can probably tell you in five minutes all you need to know about your rental insurance needs for any given trip," said Lewis. "That quick call could save you some grief later on down the road." MetLife Auto & Home(R), a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : MET), is one of the nation's leading personal lines property and casualty insurance companies, insuring over 3.8 million autos and homes. MetLife Auto & Home has developed a reputation for innovation in product design, being the first insurer to introduce certain product enhancements that provide greater value to consumers, including Identity Theft resolution services to both its auto and home insurance customers, offered at no additional charge. Identity theft resolution services are not available in all states, such as Massachusetts (available homeowners only) and North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. . The company was named among the industry's leaders in customer service according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Auto and Homeowners Insurance Studies (SM). For more information about MetLife(R) and its affiliates, visit www.metlife.com. MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI. |
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