I’m about to rent a car for one day travel for the first time ever but I have some questions.
1. They give me these options for insurance, but what’s the difference and what to they cover.
- Pre-Reserved Full Damage Waiver
- Supplemental Liability Insurance
Priceline.com offers ‘Collision Damage Insurance,’ but what is that and does it mean; that I don’t have to buy insurance from the renter?
2. Do I have to present anything i.e. I.D., existing car Insurance (I don’t have a car)
3. Do I have to Pay for gas?
4. Do I have to sign a contract?
You should check with your credit card company as some of them offer coverage when you use their card.
I would suggest taking the full damage waiver. That way, you’re fully covered if somebody should run into the rental. I don’t think the supplemental liability waiver is worthwhile however.
You’ll need to present your drivers license (assuming you’re 25 yrs. or older.)
Yes, you’ll pay for gas…BE SURE to refuel the car just before returning to the rental agency or you’ll be surcharged.
Yes, you’ll need to sign a contract. Be sure you look over the car WITH the agent to verify no damage when you check it out. You don’t want to be held responsible for pre-existing damage.
Pre-Reserved Full Damage Waiver
This basically covers you and any authorized additional drivers for any Damage caused to the rental car (by you or anyone else) If you purchase this insurance directly from the car rental company, you would waive any financial responsibility for damage to the car. You would not pay out of pocket for damages done; it would be covered by the waiver, if purchased directly from the rental car company.
With the collision damage insurance offered by priceline, the coverage is for Coverage Limit $35,000
While, at $11 a day, it is cheaper than the coverage offered by the car rental companies themselves, it appears that it is a reimbursement type coverage.
Under PAYMENT OF CLAIMS it states:
CLAIMS NOTIFICATION UPON YOUR RETURN: Report Your claim in writing as soon as possible to AIG International Services. Provide Your travel dates, and details describing the nature of Your loss. Be prepared with the Collision Damage Insurance Policy Number above, the name of the travel agency or rental location, rental agreement that shows proof of travel, the amount the Insured is charged, a police accident or incident report. Upon receipt of this information, You will promptly be forwarded the appropriate claim form to complete.
This says to me that you would be billed (on your credit card) for any damages done to the car, by the car rental company, and then you would be required to submit a claim to be reimbursed.
I would check the terms on this to make sure.
As far as not having existing car insurance, the car rental company provides basic public liability and property damage insurance (damage to other cars and property – not your rental car itself) up to the minimum limits required by state law.
When the car rental company offers you Supplemental Liabililty Insurance, this just basically increases the coverage beyond the required state limits. (It’s an optional coverage)
You will have to present your drivers license and a major credit card in your own name for deposit, you do have to pay for gas, unless you purchase a prepaid fuel option (getting the gas yourself is probably cheaper!) and you will have to sign a contract.
Hope this helps!!
The credit card you use will most likely provide Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage for you so won’t have to buy that. The clerk will explain the coverages. Remember, It is possible to be OVER-INSURED so don’t let them talk you into something you don’t really need. Yes, you have to buy the gas and sign a contract. You must also be 25 (some places will rent to a 21 year old)
1) The rental car company pays for liability insurance. So, if you hit someone, the “other guy’s” car is paid for. The rental car company does NOT provide insurance for damage to the rental car. Normally, your personal insurance will extend to a rental car. But since you don’t have personal car insurance, I recommend you buy the liability insurance from the rental car agency. Your risk of damaging a car that you are not used to driving is much higher than normal.
The “collision damage insurance” from priceline should be sufficient so you don’t have to buy the car rentals insurance.
The Supplemental Liability Insurance is unneccessary.
2) You always need a drivers license and a creditcard to rent a car. Many companies do not accept a Visa Debit Card as a credit card. They want to know you are credit worthy.
3) Yes, you have to pay for gas. You should fill the car before giving it back; it’s cheaper that way.
4) Yes. You have to sign a contract.