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.

This website contains highlights of the plans, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company under form series T210 et. al., TP-401 et. al., and T7000 et. al. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best 2020. C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. 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. Coverages may vary and not all coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages are subject to the terms, limitations and exclusions in the plan, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. In most states, your travel retailer is not a licensed insurance producer/agent, and is not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the terms, benefits, exclusions, and conditions of the insurance offered or to 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. Your travel retailer maybe compensated for the purchase of a plan. CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-4357. MD Insurance Administration: 800-492-6116 or 410-468-2340. The cost of your plan is for the entire plan, which consists of both insurance and non-insurance components. Individuals looking to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each travel plan component, please contact Travel Insured: P.O. Box 6503, Glastonbury, CT 06033; 855-752-8303; customercare@travelinsured.com; California license #0I13223.