Who’s Covered Under Rental Car Insurance?
When it comes to going on vacation and renting a car, it can be very complicated. Usually, when you’re on a driving vacation you don’t want to do all the driving. But, when you rent a car they expect that you will be the only driver. First of all, you should check with your own insurance company to see how that works with them. You need to ask your agent if another person is covered to drive a car that you rent in your name. Your direct auto insurance policy probably does not cover that other driver so you need to check into other options.
If you are putting the car rental charges on a major credit card, you should ask them if they provide any coverage for you or possibly another driver. The credit card company will probably pay for any damages to the vehicle, but are not likely to pay for you or another driver if you were injured. Most likely, you will have to purchase some extra auto insurance protection for yourself, but they usually won’t cover a second driver of the rental car.
When you are renting the vehicle from the car rental agency, you need to discuss what type of coverage they provide because it may be the number one insurance involved. Usually, rental agencies do not even allow for other drivers to drive the rental car much less provide any insurance coverage, even if you pay extra. There are a few exceptions to this rule such as:
- You add additional authorized drivers who may be able to drive the vehicle if they are over 25 years old. The second driver must have a valid drivers license and a major credit card. Of course, there will be an additional charge to the daily rental rate for each driver added. Also, the insurance you purchase from the auto agency will cost more.
- If you are driving on business and renting under the corporate name, the other drivers may include your boss and other employees of the company.
- In certain states, the law allows for your legal spouse to be an authorized driver of a rental car.
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