Auto Rentals: Frequently Asked Questions

Your Travelers personal auto policy provides coverage for you as the driver of a rental vehicle. However, there may be a reason to purchase additional rental insurance. For more detailed information, review the questions below.

The first factor that should influence your decision to purchase rental car coverage is your existing car insurance coverage. Take the time to review your coverage before you rent a car. Consider what sort of comprehensive, collision and liability coverage you have and whether it extends to rental cars you may drive. In many cases, your existing car insurance policy will provide coverage for rental vehicles – at least to some extent. If you aren’t sure if your car insurance policy covers rentals, check with your independent agent or Travelers representative.

If you have a personal insurance policy that includes liability, collision and/or comprehensive coverage, you may be covered for a loss in a rental car. Specifically, if you have liability coverage, you may be covered for property damage you cause to another’s property, as well as any bodily injury caused to others as the result of an accident. If you have collision coverage, it may provide coverage to your actual vehicle for property damage if you hit another car or object. If you have comprehensive coverage, you will be covered for incidents such as theft, fire, vandalism, severe weather events or animal impact.

Lower Deductible
Rental coverage may have no deductible or a lower deductible than your policy, this means that if you purchase rental car insurance from the rental company, you may have to pay less out of pocket before coverage kicks in. You should check your policy for information about your deductible.

Higher Policy Limits 
If you have a policy with minimum limits with Travelers, you may want to obtain a policy with higher limits depending on your travel plans and the vehicle you intend to rent.

Damage Waiver 
Some rental car companies offer a damage waiver for an additional fee. The damage waiver is not insurance and is not required to rent a vehicle. With the purchase of a damage waiver, subject to certain exclusions that may be in the rental agreement, you are relieved of responsibility for all or part of the cost of damage to, loss or theft of the vehicle. 

If you are considering whether or not to purchase a damage waiver and have questions relating to your coverage, check with your independent agent or Travelers representative.

Needing a rental car because your insured vehicle has been damaged in a covered incident is different than renting a car for business or pleasure.

Rental car coverage is different from rental reimbursement coverage or extended transportation expenses coverage, which is an add-on to your personal auto policy that can pay for a rental car if your personal car is damaged in a covered accident.