Auto insurance is a familiar thing for anyone driving on the road daily or even occasionally, but one-day auto insurance may appear new to your ears these days. You would assume that renting a car would be much simpler. Maybe it is, but the topic of insuring a rental car is rather confusing. Some people may be ready to select from a variety of choices but are not clear precisely what option covers which kind of hazard. Others may have a straightforward decision to make, but they can't even know it.
Insuring A Rental Car
Here are the main concerns you will have:
-Damages to the car you rent, yourself, and your passengers
-Damages to other people, cars or property
You seemingly have questions about your coverage options. These include your policy of your car policy, waivers you can buy at the rental counter, non-owner policies, and credit card benefits.
Do you own a car with full coverage? If so, your coverage is presumably already handled. Just call your agent or company to be certain that your policy covers the rented car. In many instances, the answer is yes. If so, your rented vehicle will be covered the same way that our car is covered.
Be aware that your policy deductible will apply though. If you wreck the rented car, you will be responsible for that out of pocket cost just like you would be if you wrecked your car. You may, or may not, choose to stretch that coverage with the type of waiver you can buy at the car rental company.
What is the rental car company policy or waiver for? Most of the time, the agent at the car rental counter will try to sell you an additional disclaimer. The basic plan ordinarily covers damage to your rental vehicle. If you only carry liability insurance on your car, this can give you additional protection in case the rented car gets damaged. If you do not buy this extra coverage, and you do only have liability insurance on your car, you will still be liable for damages.
What if you require to rent a car, but you do not own a car, and do not have auto insurance? This can be a stickier problem. You still require liability insurance to be a legal driver in every US state. Beyond that, you are still liable for damages to the rented vehicle.
Some rental companies may exchange an additional liability disclaimer. If you frequently rent, a non-owner auto insurance policy may be sensible.
What about rental insurance from credit card companies? You must be certain you know what these benefits cover. In most cases, this coverage is similar to the basic rental company waiver. It may only cover damage to the rented car, and it does not cover liability.
If you already have full coverage on your car, and it spreads to rented vehicles, your selections are simple. If you do not own a car, being covered is a little more complicated. It is your responsibility to be sure you are covered and financially responsible for a rented vehicle.
Best Car Rental Tips
Many of us think that renting a car is quite expensive. Well, you do not get a rented car for free, but you can shave off a few dollars from the rent amount if you know how to get car rental discounts. Apart from that, you can always maximize the amount of money you pay for by getting the best car rental service around. Here are some of the best car rental tips that you can use the next time you book yourself a car for personal or business reasons:
1. Book online.
If you wish to have both savings and convenience at the same time, then you may want to book and reserve online. The best car rental companies often have websites where you get not only crucial rental information but also a means to book and make a reservation. Bigger companies even have online car galleries that you can pick your preferred rental car. Booking online gives you this convenience plus savings on the amount or rental money you have to pay. By booking online, you can make use of coupon codes and discounts. You can shave off 5% to 15% of the rental charge immediately if you enter a valid coupon code upon booking.
2. Book early and also return the car on time.
Some of the best car rental companies often give the early bird or early booking promo to all customers. If you book well in advance, then you can shave off a good amount from the car rental fee. However, it is also necessary to know that you must return the car on time to avoid late return charges. Booking your reservation early can assist you to choose the car you prefer. This is applicable especially to smaller rental companies which have limited car options. Booking early can also assist you to avoid the rental rush during peak seasons.
3. Availability of Loyalty or the VIP memberships.
Car rental agencies usually give loyalty programs as well as VIP memberships. These are intended to promote return customers. If you are the kind of person who rents cars often then it would be more practical to avail of these promos. As a loyalty program member, you can receive discounts on car rental bookings. Also, some companies that usually get the services of car rental agencies are given automatic VIP membership for their employees. Check with your company so you get the best car rental price or package for business or personal use.
4. Understand the rental terms.
Reading the terms and conditions of car rental agreements appear to be rather obvious, but not all of us take the time to read them. Sometimes, we are surprised by the hidden costs or surprise charges. The best way to avoid them is to understand the agreement or car rental contract carefully. That way, you will never have to pay more than what you expect and get the best car rental experience in return.
5. Opt for long-term bookings.
You can get a discounted car rental rate if you book for longer periods. If you know that you will require a rental service for some days, then you should already book the desired car for the entire duration. Booking by the day can lead you to a more expensive accumulated car lease amount.