What You Should Know About Rental Cars and Insurance

If you have ever rented a car you are familiar with the options the company will present you regarding adding extra insurance for an additional daily rate to protect you in the event of an accident. You can never know what lies in front of you after you rent a car and it is likely you are renting in a new city unfamiliar to you, which increases your risk for a car accident. It makes sense to add the extra insurance to pad yourself, but do you need what they are offering or is it simply wasted money? Let’s look into this further.

Your Personal Auto Insurance

If you already have a personal automobile insurance plan, there is a good possibility you don’t need the extra insurance to cover you with a rental car. Many policies cover the use of a rental car when you get one for non-professional purposes. Through comprehensive collision coverage, damages you sustain in an accident generally will pay for those costs. The damages that occur with the other vehicle will usually be covered through property damage liability. In the State of Arizona, it is required that all motor vehicle drivers carry at least $10,000 in liability insurance.

MedPay is a type of insurance that pays for the immediate medical attention one may require after an accident. It is similar to Personal Injury Insurance (PIP) except it is not as exhaustive. It is an optional form of insurance in 48 states and only is required in two: Maine and New Hampshire. It covers the medical costs for those who own the insurance, other drivers who are also on the policy, and members who live in the household of the insured and passengers. If you don’t have MedPay, your insurance policy may not cover bodily injuries. 

Always be familiar with your current auto insurance policy to make the best decision when it comes to a rental car. In some circumstances, insurance won’t cover the expenses of international rentals and if this is the case, you may want to take on the extra expense at the rental company of getting that added coverage. Additionally, enlisting the help of a Phoenix personal injury lawyer after any crash where you sustained injuries is always advisable. 

Credit Cards

Did you know that your credit cards could also hold the possibility of covering a rental? Many cards offer collision coverage should you decide to use that card to pay for the expenses of the rental. However, liability coverage is often not included so if you are responsible for an accident that damages to another’s car, this would not cover those costs. The coverage that credit cards offer is considered secondary coverage, meaning your insurance will be the first line of defense.

Supplemental Insurance

Knowing what you already have in your back pocket makes the decision much easier. When you have these policies that already provide the insurance you need, it only makes sense to refuse the loss-damage waiver (LDW) or the collision damage waiver (CDW). If you are unsure about what insurance you have or you know that you don’t have that back up coverage, it is sensible to pay the extra cost to get insurance through the rental company.

Car Accident Attorneys in Phoenix 

No matter what car you are in, rented or owned, a car accident will still inflict damages. When you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you need the resourceful and knowledgable guidance of an Arizona car accident attorney from ELG Law. We will help you with your claim and fight for your right to see your full legal justice. Call either our Phoenix or Mesa, Arizona law offices at 623-562-3838 to discuss your experience with one of our effective attorneys today.