Do I Need Insurance to Rent a Car?

Last updated July 6, 2022

Do I Need Insurance to Rent a Car?

Picture this: you’ve planned a fabulous vacation–the fights are secured, the hotel is booked, and all you need now is a rental car. You may be wondering, do I need insurance to rent a car?

The answer depends on a few factors, such as your personal auto insurance policy and the rental car company’s policy. Keep reading to find out if your car insurance covers rental cars and learn how to help keep yourself financially protected while renting a vehicle.

Do I need insurance to rent a car?

Many car rental companies do not require drivers to show proof of auto insurance to rent a car. However, for those who don’t have car insurance, rental companies often provide options to add insurance coverage through their company. Even if rental insurance isn’t required, it is strongly recommended. If you get into an accident while driving a rental car without insurance, you will generally be responsible for paying for all damages out of pocket – and typically on the spot.

So, the answer to your question “Do I need insurance to rent a car?” is no. You can rent a car without purchasing insurance.

However, if you don’t have the means to cover expenses in the event of an accident, it’s best to insure the vehicle through the rental company. Typically rental companies offer multiple types of coverage, such as loss damage waiver (LDW) or collision damage waiver, liability coverage, personal accident insurance, and personal effects protection.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?

The answer to this question depends on your insurance provider and policy. If you have auto insurance, check with your agent or your provider’s website to see if your policy covers rental cars. Some policies do, and some don’t.

If your personal insurance policy covers rental car damages in the event of an accident, you won’t need to add coverage from the rental company itself. If you don’t have auto insurance or your policy doesn’t cover rentals, you usually need to purchase insurance from the rental car company.

Other options for insurance to rent a car

Because all but two states require some form of car insurance to drive a vehicle legally, it’s essential to have some type of coverage for your rental car. If your personal auto insurance policy doesn’t cover rental vehicles, consider purchasing insurance through the rental company to protect you during your trip.

Another option for rental car insurance is paying with a credit card. Most credit card companies offer some form of rental car insurance, so be sure to check with your credit card provider as well. If you don’t have a credit card with insurance coverage for rental cars, you can apply for one that does!

With a bit of research, you can find the right option for you and be on your way to enjoying your rental car worry-free.

Choose the best insurance policy for your rental car needs

At Rate Retriever, we connect you with the best insurance companies for your needs. If you spend a lot of time in rental cars, whether for work or play, you may consider choosing an insurance company that covers rentals. That way, you don’t have to wonder if your car insurance covers rentals – you can confidently rent a car knowing that it does!

Whether you want to add coverage to your current policy or find a new policy from a different company, we can help! Start your search today by connecting with your top insurance providers who offer car rental insurance coverage.

About Rate Retriever

At Rate Retriever, our mission is to make the way you shop for insurance transparent and fair through user-friendly tools that respect your privacy and deliver reliable, comprehensive results.

So we took everything we hated about comparing insurance quotes online – the spam, the long questionnaires, the limited choices, the inaccuracy of quote prices – and threw it out the window, favoring a short form that more accurately estimates what you’ll pay at each of the top insurance providers near you.

Rate Retriever is an independent company that is not owned by an insurance provider, nor do we provide insurance ourselves. This independence allows us to be your free and impartial insurance research tool, helping you make the best decisions for your insurance needs.

We may earn a commission when you click one of the links or call one of the providers listed on our site; however, we do not allow our partnerships to influence which information we provide.

Share this article

Do I Need Insurance to Rent a Car?