Hi!

I'm renting a car in the U.S. for the first time. My credit card has an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.

I was wondering if this is the same insurance that the car hire companies offer? Or is there something else that the car hire company's insurance covers that the credit card one wouldn't?

I reviewed the benefits policy on the credit card but I was still unsure. The main thing I noticed that wasn't covered was medical but I figured somebody's health insurance would normally cover that, right?

Appreciate any advice!

Cheers,

gtrekker2003

Sounds like it might be - but if you are from outside US, make sure it covers you here - and while you are at it, get info on exactly what it does cover.

Liability insurance is also a good idea (that is, you drive your rental car into a person or property - it covers that person or property - the other insurance covers the rental)

New add-on is "loss of use" - that means if you wreck the car and it is out of rental service for a week, how much in revenue the car rental company loses. But someone here said that is only if all rental cars for that company are rented - have no idea if that is true or not.

If you are English I think you will be required to have additional rental insurance here.

There is only ONE place to get this information correctly, and that is to talk specifically with your own insurance provider. Any other discussions are a complete waste of time.

I actually live in NYC and don't own a car so don't have any auto insurance.

I'm just wondering on average how much it costs to get liability insurance per day/per week so I know how much to budget in when I use priceline or expedia, etc.

Any advice?

Are you talking about your injuries? (your medical insurance should pay - as long as you have a policy good for the US).

If the accident is your fault you are also resposible for paying for the injuries of other paries in the accident - which can be VERY expensive - since you don;t know if they have med insurance or what kind.

You should call your credit card company and ask them to send you the written policy regarding rental car coverage.

Every card is slightly different, some offer coverage only for mini vans or smaller, some for SUVs, some for 15 day or shorter rentals only.

My credit card states that coverage is secondary to any auto insurance that you already have. "However if you do not own a car the coverage becomes primary". But I'm not sure if it's just primary for collision damage to the rented car, or also for liability, damage to another car, etc.

It many cases it may put you at ease to accept coverage from the renting company, but it also can get up into hundreds and hundreds of dollars just for the insurance coverages if you are renting for two weeks. You can probably find an insurance company that will cover you for half of what the rental car company charges. Check online for "travel insurance".

Call your credit card company and get the correct information. We have platinum cards and never get the rental company insurance.