Liability insurance for passengers in the car
Jul 1st, 2012, 06:16 PM
#1
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Liability insurance for passengers in the car
I will be renting a car and traveling with my friends in Europe. I would like to have insurance to protect me from a law suit in the unlikely (I hope) event of an accident where my passengers are hurt and I was found to be at fault. While their medical insurance would cover any injuries, the insurance company could (would?) come back to me for reimbursement.
I have searched the web and have not succeeded in finding this type of coverage. Avis SAID their ALI (Additional Liability Insurance) is for those people outside of the car. Can anyone provide direction?
I have searched the web and have not succeeded in finding this type of coverage. Avis SAID their ALI (Additional Liability Insurance) is for those people outside of the car. Can anyone provide direction?
Jul 1st, 2012, 10:12 PM
#2
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Thank god Europe is not like the United States, where it seems that one is sued if they looked at someone else 'wrong'.
This is your one and only post... Are you just paranoid?
Check with your credit card company to see what they cover.
I get the best service, rates and cars from Hertz. http://www.travelandleisure.com/worl...car-rental/245
You can also check with your own insurance company to see if such a provision even exists.
This is your one and only post... Are you just paranoid?
Check with your credit card company to see what they cover.
I get the best service, rates and cars from Hertz. http://www.travelandleisure.com/worl...car-rental/245
You can also check with your own insurance company to see if such a provision even exists.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 02:36 AM
#4
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American Express has a Premium Car REntal Protection plan for $24.95 that covers injuries for passengers and driver as a secondary plan if your insurance does not cover.
You must have an American Express card and use it to rent the car. And the card must be enrolled in the plan.
The car rental company you select must accept this card. So if this is a concern of yours I would choose a company that will allow you to rent a car using the American Express card and enroll that card in the plan.
There may be other cards that cover you for this type of loss but I know that an enrolled Amex card does.
You must have an American Express card and use it to rent the car. And the card must be enrolled in the plan.
The car rental company you select must accept this card. So if this is a concern of yours I would choose a company that will allow you to rent a car using the American Express card and enroll that card in the plan.
There may be other cards that cover you for this type of loss but I know that an enrolled Amex card does.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 06:01 AM
#5
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You folks are getting liability insurance mixed up with personal accident insurance.
I believe the OP was misinformed by the rental agent; liability insurance covers your exposure to injury and property damage claims of others INCLUDING passengers.
Personal Accident Insurance is a first party medical coverage that covers the medical expenses of the driver and passengers in the car
I believe the OP was misinformed by the rental agent; liability insurance covers your exposure to injury and property damage claims of others INCLUDING passengers.
Personal Accident Insurance is a first party medical coverage that covers the medical expenses of the driver and passengers in the car
Jul 2nd, 2012, 07:02 AM
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Hi A,
IME the insurance provided by the rental agency and the CC companies covers damage to the car and persons and property outside the car.
If you want any coverage whatsoever for people inside the car, you must purchase an additional policy.
I agree with the suggestion for Amex.
IME the insurance provided by the rental agency and the CC companies covers damage to the car and persons and property outside the car.
If you want any coverage whatsoever for people inside the car, you must purchase an additional policy.
I agree with the suggestion for Amex.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 09:24 AM
#7
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Don't you already have personal liability insurance at home? If you do it probably covers you for the scenario you are describing. I would check with them and if necessary have them extend the cover for the period of your trip.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 09:33 AM
#8
"<i>Don't you already have personal liability insurance at home? If you do it probably covers you for the scenario you are describing. I would check with them and if necessary have them extend the cover for the period of your trip.</i>"
That sort of coverage would likely not cover one while driving overseas.
"<i>While their medical insurance would cover any injuries, . . . </i>"
Possibly not. That is not universally true. depends on what sort of insurance they have at home.
You can check insuremytrip.com . . . A site that compares/contrasts various travel insurance companies/policies.
That sort of coverage would likely not cover one while driving overseas.
"<i>While their medical insurance would cover any injuries, . . . </i>"
Possibly not. That is not universally true. depends on what sort of insurance they have at home.
You can check insuremytrip.com . . . A site that compares/contrasts various travel insurance companies/policies.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 05:46 PM
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Nothing like people who don't know the issue responding with their insight.
The liability insurance that comes with the the vehicle, by law, just like in the US covers against liability claims made by passengers, just like in the US. You don't buy a separate "passenger liability policy.
The AMEX coverage that keeps getting suggested has nothing to do with liability insurance (because it doesn't have to - read the above). It offers that usual CDW/LDW protection against theft or damage to the rental car, some accidental death and dismemberment and excess medical cover for the renter and passengers - that's first party medical and accident coverage, not liability coverage (again, because separate coverage for liability to passengers is not required).
CDW/LDW are clauses in the contract that "waive" the requirement that the renter pay for any and all damage to the vehicle (that is another clause in the policy). You don't purchase the CDW/LDW, they don't waive the requirement that all damage to the vehicles is the responsibility of the renter.
What credit card companies offer is another form of protection that reimburses you for any charges that the rental company may charge you for such vehicle damage. If you have that protection from your rental card company, then you don't need to purchase the CDW/LDW. If the car is damaged and the rental company charges you for it, you make a claim to your credit card company and they pay.
The liability insurance that comes with the the vehicle, by law, just like in the US covers against liability claims made by passengers, just like in the US. You don't buy a separate "passenger liability policy.
The AMEX coverage that keeps getting suggested has nothing to do with liability insurance (because it doesn't have to - read the above). It offers that usual CDW/LDW protection against theft or damage to the rental car, some accidental death and dismemberment and excess medical cover for the renter and passengers - that's first party medical and accident coverage, not liability coverage (again, because separate coverage for liability to passengers is not required).
CDW/LDW are clauses in the contract that "waive" the requirement that the renter pay for any and all damage to the vehicle (that is another clause in the policy). You don't purchase the CDW/LDW, they don't waive the requirement that all damage to the vehicles is the responsibility of the renter.
What credit card companies offer is another form of protection that reimburses you for any charges that the rental company may charge you for such vehicle damage. If you have that protection from your rental card company, then you don't need to purchase the CDW/LDW. If the car is damaged and the rental company charges you for it, you make a claim to your credit card company and they pay.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 09:26 PM
#10
To clarify . . . I know that liability ins is included w/ the rental. I was just explaining that the insurance mentioned by the OP and others (personal liability and Stateside medical insurance) doesn't usually work overseas.
The insuremytrip suggestion was just if you want to get additional travel ins.
The insuremytrip suggestion was just if you want to get additional travel ins.
Jul 3rd, 2012, 08:45 AM
#11
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Thank you all for taking time to respond.
Yes, there is a certain level of paranoia in worrying about being sued. But, I would like to retire with the money I have saved and not have to give it to someone else who might sue me. This is why insurance companies are in business.
I will follow the suggestion to purchase American Express' policy to cover damage to the car as my insurance will NOT cover this outside of the US. It is not necessary within the US as my personal policy, as I have collision coverage, would cover me. FYI - apparently some, but not all, insurance companies would also cover "loss of use" of the rental car while it was being repaired.
I will look at InsureMyTrip to see if more options are offerred for liability protection. I also have a colleague reaching out to an attorney friend in Europe. Again, the ALI (Additional Liability Insurance) did not say that it would not cover the passengers, the agent did...but they very possibly did not know what they were talking about. Perhaps I will call back and try for a different answer!
As stated, the laws are different in Europe and, rightly said, it is much less litigous than the USA.
Thanks again!
Yes, there is a certain level of paranoia in worrying about being sued. But, I would like to retire with the money I have saved and not have to give it to someone else who might sue me. This is why insurance companies are in business.
I will follow the suggestion to purchase American Express' policy to cover damage to the car as my insurance will NOT cover this outside of the US. It is not necessary within the US as my personal policy, as I have collision coverage, would cover me. FYI - apparently some, but not all, insurance companies would also cover "loss of use" of the rental car while it was being repaired.
I will look at InsureMyTrip to see if more options are offerred for liability protection. I also have a colleague reaching out to an attorney friend in Europe. Again, the ALI (Additional Liability Insurance) did not say that it would not cover the passengers, the agent did...but they very possibly did not know what they were talking about. Perhaps I will call back and try for a different answer!
As stated, the laws are different in Europe and, rightly said, it is much less litigous than the USA.
Thanks again!
Jul 3rd, 2012, 11:43 AM
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Sue-
It sounds like you are getting a lot of information, some of which may be overkill and some of which may be confusing. So I thought I'd throw some more gasoline on the fire by adding one more suggestion.
As far as insurance goes, I always talk to the auto club. In addition to normal car insurance, I use them for trip insurance when traveling overseas. I have never had a problem with them paying off on any claim of any type involving accidents or injuries of any type, whether a car was involved or not. This lesson was learned the hard way when dealing with other insurance companies over the many years. And I suspect that the auto club will tell you in straightforward terms what is (and is not) covered under their policies.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip
It sounds like you are getting a lot of information, some of which may be overkill and some of which may be confusing. So I thought I'd throw some more gasoline on the fire by adding one more suggestion.
As far as insurance goes, I always talk to the auto club. In addition to normal car insurance, I use them for trip insurance when traveling overseas. I have never had a problem with them paying off on any claim of any type involving accidents or injuries of any type, whether a car was involved or not. This lesson was learned the hard way when dealing with other insurance companies over the many years. And I suspect that the auto club will tell you in straightforward terms what is (and is not) covered under their policies.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip
Jul 5th, 2012, 09:07 AM
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Here's an important consideration and one that you should check with both the agency that provided the car and the agency who set you up with it. For example, you reserved the car through AutoEurope and picked it up at EuropeCar, or Avis.
In the US if you damage your car, either in a collision or because you misjudged distances and drove into a wall, you are covered less your deductible.
Not so in Europe. If you drive into a wall you are considered at fault due to not paying attention and in the last contract I read you were liable and the waiver did not cover you.
I'm open to anyone who can affirm or deny that.
The other thing to consider is that most credit cards require a bunch of paperwork, police reports, etc, which you may not have time to get. I just prefer to buy the insurance as part of the rental and not worry about it.
In the US if you damage your car, either in a collision or because you misjudged distances and drove into a wall, you are covered less your deductible.
Not so in Europe. If you drive into a wall you are considered at fault due to not paying attention and in the last contract I read you were liable and the waiver did not cover you.
I'm open to anyone who can affirm or deny that.
The other thing to consider is that most credit cards require a bunch of paperwork, police reports, etc, which you may not have time to get. I just prefer to buy the insurance as part of the rental and not worry about it.
Jul 5th, 2012, 03:39 PM
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Winnick,
Terrific point regarding the paperwork and police report being required to get the collision costs covered. I am booking through AutoEurope; they bettered the price from Avis by better than 25% FOR THE SAME CAR FROM AVIS at the same location.
I will read the policy carefully from Amex. I am still struggling to get a straight answer from Avis regarding what is covered with the Additional Liability Insurance they offer. I figure you don't get the complete policy until you sign for it and then it is too late if you it doesn't give you the coverage you want.
Terrific point regarding the paperwork and police report being required to get the collision costs covered. I am booking through AutoEurope; they bettered the price from Avis by better than 25% FOR THE SAME CAR FROM AVIS at the same location.
I will read the policy carefully from Amex. I am still struggling to get a straight answer from Avis regarding what is covered with the Additional Liability Insurance they offer. I figure you don't get the complete policy until you sign for it and then it is too late if you it doesn't give you the coverage you want.
Jul 5th, 2012, 05:38 PM
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Winnick,
I can deny your assertion.
I backed into a wall in a dark underground car park in Carcassone in 2008. I had full insurance through AutoEurope on the Passat provided by Europcar. At the cost of repairs these days I bet there was 2000 euros damage.
I phoned Europcar. After ascertaining there were no injuries to either persons or other property and that the car was still safe to drive I was told to carry on as planned and drop the car in Paris. I did and that was the end of it... no extra fees or charges even though it was admittedly my fault.
So contrary to your theory I was covered. I really felt badly about it because I loved that car. And in over 40 years of driving it was the first and only time I've ever so much as scratched a car.
I can deny your assertion.
I backed into a wall in a dark underground car park in Carcassone in 2008. I had full insurance through AutoEurope on the Passat provided by Europcar. At the cost of repairs these days I bet there was 2000 euros damage.
I phoned Europcar. After ascertaining there were no injuries to either persons or other property and that the car was still safe to drive I was told to carry on as planned and drop the car in Paris. I did and that was the end of it... no extra fees or charges even though it was admittedly my fault.
So contrary to your theory I was covered. I really felt badly about it because I loved that car. And in over 40 years of driving it was the first and only time I've ever so much as scratched a car.
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