Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

Do You Really Need Rental Car Companies Insurance?

With every car rental transaction comes the moment when the agent behind the counter tries to sell the rental company’s insurance to you. What should you do? Most people say no, thank you. But is that the right move?

It’s been widely reported that buying the rental company’s insurance is a HUGE waste of money. In most cases, it would nearly double the price of a rental. You have to have proof of personal auto insurance to rent a car and a credit card. And most every card nowadays has some kind of extended coverage for rental cars. So do what would we need their insurance for? Nothing had ever gone wrong before, right?

And then something does go wrong.

Getting something as simple as a flat tire or a chipped windshield and you will learn some valuable lessons about what happens when you damage your rental car.

That's right ~ If something happens ~ no matter how small ~ you’re responsible.

Hertz, for example, will sell you an variety of insurance coverages. The one you need to most pay attention to is the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) which covers damage to the vehicle. Without LDW, you'll be responsible for any loss or damage to the car including, but not limited to, theft, vandalism, collision, fire, and acts of nature, regardless of fault.

Even a flat tire that is considered a “no-fault” incident that involves no other drivers you would be responsible, be it out of my pocket or through personal auto, credit card or other insurance.

Understand exactly what your insurance and your credit card covers.

Before you rent, find out what your card and personal auto insurance offer as coverage, and then supplement what they don’t offer through the rental agency. If your personal car insurance has comprehensive, collision and liability, it will in most cases extend coverage to your rental car (again, minus your deductible). Call your insurance company to verify.

Some credit cards will cover your deductible if you are responsible for damage to your rental as long as you use the credit card for the rental and decline the optional rental company insurance offered *at time of the rental.

*this is important as you cannot add it after you leave the rental facility.

In addition ~Waiver (PDW), which is available some rental companies as well. This covers you for damage to the car in an amount equal to the applicable deductible on your personal automobile insurance, up to a maximum waiver of $1,000. This is the most affordable option.Adding towing to your insurance is worth it.

Instead of using the car rental's roadside assistance to tow your car (which could cost hundreds of dollars) add towing to your existing policy. For example: a AAA Plus membership provides up to four free tows per year of up to 100 miles each. The AAA Plus membership has other benefits too, like flat tire service and gas delivery. Other insurance companies offer similar plans.

If you do damage the car, call your personal insurance ~ maybe.

In the event your credit card claim is denied, you may want to call your personal insurance. Word of warning: Insurance companies will file their own "incident" report even if you don't file an actual claim. This DOES go on your record and may cause your rates to increase. You need to decide how much a small claim could impact your rate. It is best to call your local independent insurance agent for advice BEFORE calling your actual company.

Get copies of everything and Take lots of phone pictures.

To get reimbursed for any expenses you incurred from damaging the car EVERYONE will want copies of receipts, photos, etc. You shouldn’t only take pictures after an accident, you should have BEFORE pictures as well.

Bottom line~

Get all the information you can BEFORE renting a car. Waiting until something bad happens can cost you in more ways then one. Make sure you have the best possible coverage by calling an independent insurance agency that can shop you to several companies.

Are you paying too much for insurance??

Come into Brew City Insurance and find out.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - http://www.brewcityinsurance.com,

Or find out even more about us here.