Travel Tips and Ideas

Travel Insured Offers Tips for Renting a Car on a Trip

by User Not Found | Dec 15, 2010

Here are some tips to help you get the most value when renting a car for your trip:

• Only rent a car when and where you need it. You may not need a car in the city, but may save money renting at an off-airport location when heading to the countryside.

• A GPS device is advisable when driving unfamiliar areas. Renting one from the car rental company is about $12 per day. Consider bringing your own GPS from home.

• Take photos of all sides of your rental car with a digital camera or cell phone before driving.. Ask the attendant to sign a paper noting any scratches or dents.

• Some car rental companies no longer offer free roadside assistance if you have a flat tire or lose car keys. See if an auto club membership covers these risks for you.

• Check your own car's auto insurer to learn exactly what coverage you have for a rental car. Never decline LDW (loss damage waiver) on a car rental unless already covered.

• Never assume your credit card provides insurance coverage for a rental car accident. Some cards have recently changed this coverage so always check first.

•  In addition to collision coverage for car damage, be sure to have liability insurance in case you are at fault in injuring another driver or passengers.

•  Never allow other drivers, including a spouse, to drive your rental car if they were not included on the rental agreement. If they have an accident your insurance may be voided and you may be held responsible for damages.

•  Renters Collision Insurance is available as an option on several Travel Insured plans for $7 per day, much less than at the car rental counter. Plus each policy includes medical coverage in case you or your travel partner is injured in the car.

•  Some countries make insurance mandatory when you rent a car. Tour operators often sell a prepaid rental package with insurance that saves you money on the counter price.

Insurance benefits in the plans are subject to limitations and exclusions, including an exclusion for pre‑existing conditions.

This website contains highlights of the plans, which include insurance benefits underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, Home Office: 305 Madison Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960, Administrative Office: 5 Christopher Way, 2nd Floor, Eatontown, NJ 07724. United States Fire Insurance Company is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 21113. The plans also contain non‑insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by C&F Services through Active Claims Management (2018) Inc., operating as Active Care Management. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best 2018. C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. Coverages may vary and not all coverage is available in all jurisdictions. In most states, your travel retailer is not a licensed insurance producer/agent, and cannot evaluate, interpret, or answer technical questions about the technical terms, benefits, exclusions, and conditions of our plans or evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance coverage. Your travel retailer may provide general information about the plans offered, including a description of the coverage and price. The purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from your travel retailer. California license #0I13223, 855 Winding Brook Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-4357. MD Insurance Administration: 800-492-6116 or 410-468-2340. Individuals looking to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each travel plan component, please contact Travel Insured at 855-752-8303 or customercare@travelinsured.com.