If you're in the planning stages of your next
vacation and they include a rental car, you may want to talk with your
insurance agent about the rental car insurance options that you may have.
When it comes to traveling and more
specifically rental car insurance, the market is extremely competitive for your
dollar. This is because not only do the insurance companies compete for your
dollar, but so too do the rental car agencies, and your credit card companies
as well. And while all this competition may sound as though it works to your
advantage as a consumer, all the marketing hype may change if you have an
accident.
Start by contacting your insurance agent and
see if your policy includes rental car insurance. Most auto insurance policies
do including covering you in a rental car as well. Of course, verify this with
your agent. Make sure it includes collision and liability insurance (damage to
your car and to the other vehicle). Make sure your current coverage doesn't
fall short of the type of car you may be planning on renting. For instance, if
you drive an older car with minimal coverage, you may be putting yourself at
risk if you're going to rent a top level newer car. So, check on any
limitations that your policy may have. Find out what the conditionals are ahead
of time so you don't get caught short.
If you are considering getting your rental car
insurance through one of your credits cards, then you should shop carefully.
Call your credit car company and ask them to fax or mail the details to you.
Either way get their coverage in writing. Again, ask specifically about
collision and liability coverage and if there are any limitations or
stipulations or complete exclusions. Don't assume that just because they offer
you 'insurance' that you will have the coverage completely protects you.
Thinking about getting your coverage directly
from the rental car company? You've got some more investigating to do.
Insurance coverages from rental car companies are all over the place and
generally can be fraught with all kinds of stipulations and exclusions and
certainly not all rental car companies are not on equal ground.
Don't base parts of your decision to go with
insurance from the rental car company thinking that if you are at fault in an
accident that you can avoid a potential rate hike from your home insurance
company. Your regular insurance company can raise your rates no matter who cuts
the check. If you are involved in an accident make sure that you report this to
your insurance company back home because if the credit card insurance or the
rental car company insurance doesn't pay... and you haven't reported it to your
insurance company, you could paying out of your own pocket.
Make sure you ask a lot of questions and get
them answered well before you go on vacation. And as a side note, you may want
ask your agent with whom you have your homeowner's policy about what is the
coverage in the event you have personal belongings stolen from a rental car. It
may sound like a bunch to get done before you go on vacation, but getting
yourself the proper insurance can literally save you financially.
Jeff Neilan's years as a salesman, finance
manager, new & used car manager, will provide you with insightful tips and
car buying advice that will help you save money and frustration on your next
car buying experience. Go to getting your best car deal
[http://www.acarbuyersguide.com] for more of Jeff's articles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Neilan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/299411
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