Types Of Coverage For Rental Car Insurances

Renting a car can be a daunting and confusing experience. The contract is lengthy, and few customers take the time to read it in full, particularly when they are standing in line at the counter with impatient people behind them. Customers who are in a hurry to get their car and leave will often agree to whatever the agent recommends, often with expensive results.

Purchasing additional insurance when you rent a car may or may not duplicate coverage you already have. The coverage included by many rental agencies may include one or more of the following:

Collision damage waiver - Should you be involved in an accident, this coverage transfers liability for the damage from you to the rental car company. This coverage tends to be rather expensive, and can cost up to $20 daily. Your credit card may cover you for this; you should check with your credit card company before you rent the car just to be sure.

Liability insurance - This covers damage to other cars or individuals should you be involved in an accident. This coverage almost certainly duplicates coverage that you may have under your own auto insurance policy. You should contact your insurance company to be sure you will be covered for liability in the event of an accident.

Personal accident insurance would cover health expenses for the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. This is also a likely duplication of coverage from your personal auto insurance policy.

Loss of personal items from the car due to theft may or may not be covered under your own auto policy. You should check with your agent to see if your suitcases, golf clubs, or whatever are covered against potential loss. You may purchase such coverage at the time of rental with most companies.

If you simply decide that you want to be covered for everything, you could easily be paying $50 per day or more for the sum of all coverage listed above. Given that $50 a day could also purchase a tank of gas, it really isn't a good idea to reflexively purchase any and all insurance offered by the agent. A smarter idea would be to take a few minutes to call your insurance agent and your credit card company a few days before you plan to travel. Simply explain that you plan to rent a car for a trip and you would like to know what, if any, coverage is available to you as one of their customers. You may discover that you are already covered for a number of potential problems. If it turns out that you are not already covered, then you can purchase needed protection when you rent the car.

Easy And Quick Car Insurance Services

Car insurance is a topic that causes an involuntary shudder for most. As a nation we dread renewal time and many of us simply pay whatever renewal price our current insurer demands.

The thing is - it really isn't that difficult if you know where and what to look for.

Below is an (almost) definitive car insurance guide to help you get the most for your money at renewal time:

• Make use of a comparison site; Most mainstream insurers offer insurance on their website and these can be compared using any of the new brand of car insurance/financial comparison sites. There are many to choose from, just watch the TV for a couple of hours and you're bound to see several advertised.

You should aim to get at least 3 quotes to allow you to make an informed decision on which cover to go for.

• Which level of cover should you choose; there are currently three levels offered which includes; third party (the minimum level required by law) this covers only the car you collide with, third party fire and theft which includes protection should your car be stolen or damaged in a fire and the highest level of cover; fully comprehensive which covers the above plus damage and repair to your own vehicle with variable extras such as personal injury, courtesy car, legal protection, etc.

• You should consider the elements of your quote that will effect your price: Your age, sex, driving history (such as claims and convictions), the vehicle you drive, any modifications you have made, the location of the vehicle overnight and the mileage you will accrue in a year.

You should choose a vehicle suitable for your age, circumstances and driving history. If you are a young driver you should start with a small safe and reliable car which a small engine size. Anything above this will increase your premium drastically.

• Save a little extra money; opt for a smaller engine if you really don't need that extra speed, install an immobiliser/alarm system if you don't already have one, use your garage if you have one (a locked garage will save you a little money off your premium usually) and try to present yourself to the insurer with as little risk as possible. For example if you will only travel 8,000 miles in a year avoid stating 12,000, you will be charged extra money for this convenience.

So remember; don't accept the first renewal quote you get, always shop around.