Does Insurance Cover Rental Vehicles? 

Your auto insurance can be an essential tool for financially protecting you, your family and your vehicle from various risks and exposures. However, despite your coverage’s financial assistance, there may still be times when you need to seek out alternative transportation, such as if your vehicle needs to be worked on at a body shop or garage. During these times, you might need a rental vehicle. Understanding how your personal auto insurance may apply to such situations is key.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Fees?

Many personal auto insurance policies can help manage expenses and limit out-of-pocket costs if you need a rental. Exact details and price-sharing may vary, so you should talk to your insurance agent before finalizing plans for a rental, as failing to fully understand your coverage’s capabilities and limitations could leave you underinsured or facing significant unexpected costs.

Will My Policy Cover Rentals?

Your personal auto insurance may provide similar financial protection over your rental vehicle. For example, if you have liability coverage, this can typically extend to incidents for which you’re at fault while driving your rental. However, liability coverage alone won’t insure the rental vehicle itself, meaning that unless you also have collision and comprehensive coverage in your policy, you may need to purchase alternative coverage from your rental company or potentially face significant repair costs.

What Won’t Be Covered?

You should also understand that coverage from your personal auto insurance policy may not always carry over to rentals. If you plan to rent a vehicle that is quite different from the automobile insured under your coverage, such as a luxury model, your policy may be insufficient. Additionally, how you plan to use your vehicle may impact whether coverage applies. For example, personal auto insurance may be irrelevant if you rent a van or truck to help with a business-related task.

We’re Here to Help

At Liberty Auto Insurance in San Antonio, Texas, we can help you understand how your personal auto coverage may apply to rental vehicles. Contact us today to get started.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.