All too often we hear our friends, clients, and others say " I never buy the extra rental car or truck protection when I rent a vehicle from Enterprise or Hertz or whomever, I'm always covered by my own auto policy". This would be the $9.00- $11.00 collision deductible waiver that covers the RENTAL VEHICLE in the event it is damaged while in your possession.

But are YOU really covered each and every time? Are YOU really covered in each and every state? Are YOU really covered in a
foreign country?

There are so many regulations, individual state laws, contractual provisions, policy terms that make it virtually impossible to say YOU are always covered. The fact is - in some cases YOU are not covered. One common example might be if one were to rent a large truck from a moving company (Uhaul, Ryder etc). These vehicles are over one ton in many cases and are no longer considered a private passenger type vehicle.

Another example would be if you were to rent a car because your car is in the mechanics shop for repairs. Some Insurance Companies won't extend coverage to the rental car if the reason for renting the car is not because of a covered insurance claim. Fortunately there aren't many companies that have this particular limitation. But you still need to know the policy provisions so you don't get burned.

And what about the loss of income the rental car company will incur because their rental vehicle is in the shop for 3 to 4 weeks or more ? Who will pay the $25 to $40 per day ?