Tips from your Auto Accident Lawyer: What to Know About Rental Car Insurance

If you’ve ever rented a car, you’ve probably been offered rental car insurance. It costs extra, but it protects you in case you’re in an accident, right? Well, it can, but you may be paying for something you don’t need.

Today in the Tolbert Beadle, LLC blog, an auto accident lawyer breaks down rental car insurance and whether or not you need it.

Make Sure You Aren’t Already Covered

Before renting a car, our auto accident lawyer recommends you check out your own car insurance. Most insurance companies have rental car insurance built into your policy. You can either call your agent or read your policy to find out. Make sure your coverage isn’t limited since not all insurance companies will offer full rental car coverage.

Another surprising place you might be already covered is your credit card company. Certain credit card companies will offer rental car insurance if you use their card to pay for the rental. Of course, not all credit card companies will do this, so make sure you check before assuming this is the case with your own card.

When Should I Get Rental Car Insurance?

If you find out you’re not covered in the above ways, you should probably get rental car insurance. The only time it’s not a good idea is when everything it entails is already covered by your current insurance policies.

Otherwise, it’s just a waste of money.

Once you decide that buying the insurance is the best route, you’ll be presented with a few options. Usually, these options include a loss-damage waiver, liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage:

  • The loss-damage waiver protects you if the car is damaged or stolen
  • Liability coverage protects you from lawsuits
  • Personal accident insurance covers medical costs if an accident occurs
  • Personal effects coverage covers any belongings you keep in the rental car.

Getting all of these coverages can add up fast, so again, you should make sure an insurance policy you already pay for doesn’t cover you. For instance, even if you don’t have car insurance, you might not need the personal accident rental insurance if you already have health coverage. Before spending all of this extra money, our auto accident lawyer always recommends doing your research.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer if You’re in an Accident

Whether you’re in a rental car or your own vehicle, it’s always a good idea to contact an auto accident lawyer when you get in a wreck. An auto accident lawyer can make sure the insurance companies don’t take advantage of you, or deprive you of money. If you’re in an accident, contact Tolbert Beadle, LLC to schedule a free consultation.