I always have a certain discomfort when the agent behind the car rental counter asks me if I want the “Collision Deductible Waiver?”, which covers any damage done to the rental car and typically costs $20-$30 a day. On the one hand, I know my car insurance covers me, and it protects my Liability exposure, and, if you use the same credit card for the reservation as the payment, that can also cover the deductible also.
But, if I dropped collision, or comprehensive coverage from my own insurance then I am also missing that on the rental car, and if I do have an accident and I have the Collision Deductible Waiver then it most likely won’t be reported to my insurance carrier. Something that those with points already with their insurance carrier might want to protect against because of the extra expense additional points would add to my premiums. You also may want to buy supplemental Liability coverage for @$13 day.
I guess the added expense doesn’t make sense if you have a clean driving record and are renting in the US, but if you are driving in another part of the world, where your US insurance will not cover you, even in your own car, you really need to consider adding that protection as a cost of your trip. You should check your policy before any Canada/Mexico vacation where you will be driving to make sure just how far from the US borders your coverage applies.
There are arguments for and against this feature, so it probably comes down to , “Do you feel lucky? Well…, do ya?” Or, take the worry out of it, and consider it a cost of the trip. As I say, “Insurance is a cost, until you need it, then it’s a godsend!”
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