Jeffrey Wade
National General, an Allstate company, offers rental car insurance to its customers. The company has been in the insurance business for over 100 years and has a network of over 55,000 independent agents across the country. National General's rental car insurance covers liability insurance, collision and comprehensive insurance, and personal injury protection or MedPay. If you already have a personal auto policy with National General that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, this insurance will likely extend to cover your rental car.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rental car insurance | Offered |
| Rental car insurance coverage | Extends to the rental car if the personal auto policy includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage |
| Rental car insurance coverage | Does not extend to the rental car if the personal auto policy only includes liability insurance |
| Rental reimbursement coverage | Covers a certain dollar amount per day up to a total limit |
| Rental reimbursement coverage | Includes nuances and specific details that vary by policy |
| Personal auto insurance policy | May extend to a rental car, including liability coverage, collision coverage, and protection for personal belongings |
| State-minimum insurance | Does not include comprehensive or collision coverage for a rental car |
| Rental car protection | May be available through credit card company or purchased through the rental car company |
| Rental car coverage | Speak with an agent directly to understand coverage limits and how they apply to a rental car |
What You'll Learn
National General's rental car insurance coverage
National General offers rental car insurance. If you already have a personal auto policy with National General that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, this insurance will likely extend to cover your rental car. If you only have liability insurance with National General, physical damage to the rental vehicle will not be covered.
National General Rental Car Coverage
Liability Insurance
National General liability insurance will usually extend to your rental as long as you are driving in the U.S. Your personal liability insurance will pay for others' medical expenses and repairs to others' property resulting from an accident you caused in your rental vehicle.
Collision and Comprehensive Insurance
If you have collision and comprehensive insurance with National General, this will typically cover any damage that occurs to the rental vehicle itself during your rental period. However, your National General collision and comprehensive coverage limits may not be high enough if you are renting a car with a much higher value than your personal vehicle and the car gets totaled.
Personal Injury Protection or MedPay
If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay through your personal auto policy, medical expenses for you and your passengers will be covered even after a rental car accident. If you do not have either type of coverage, you can purchase personal accident insurance through the rental car company.
National General also offers rental car reimbursement coverage, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your personal vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim. If you add rental reimbursement to your policy, National General will pay about $25 to $60 toward the cost of your rental, up to 30 days. You select specific rental car reimbursement limits when you purchase the add-on. For example, if you choose $25 per day/$500 per loss as your rental reimbursement limits, National General will pay up to $25 per day, but no more than $500 per claim for your rental.
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Rental car insurance cost
National General offers rental car insurance, but the cost of rental car insurance varies depending on the vehicle and location. Overall, prices range from $31 to $60 per day for rental insurance. For example, in Florida, rental car insurance costs roughly $46 to $57 per day. In addition, the cost depends on the level of coverage you choose and the rental company you use.
If you already have a personal auto policy with National General that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, this insurance will likely extend to cover your rental car. However, if you only have liability insurance with National General, physical damage to the rental vehicle will not be covered.
National General also offers rental car reimbursement coverage, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your personal vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim. You can select specific rental car reimbursement limits when you purchase the add-on. For example, if you choose $25 per day/$500 per loss as your rental reimbursement limits, National General will pay up to $25 per day, but no more than $500 per claim for your rental.
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Personal auto insurance and rental cars
Personal auto insurance policies can be a bit confusing, especially when it comes to rental cars. It's important to understand what your insurance covers, especially if you're planning to rent a car. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the world of personal auto insurance and rental cars.
National General, an Allstate company, offers comprehensive coverage for vehicles, homes, and possessions. Their auto insurance policies include protection for rental cars, but the extent of this coverage depends on your specific policy. National General offers rental car reimbursement coverage, which can help pay for the cost of a rental car if your personal vehicle is being repaired due to a covered claim. This coverage typically provides a daily allowance, such as $25 to $60 per day, for a limited period, usually up to 30 days.
Understanding Your Personal Auto Insurance Policy
When it comes to rental cars, it's crucial to understand the details of your personal auto insurance policy. In most cases, your liability coverage, collision coverage, and protection for personal belongings will extend to a rental car. However, if you only have state-minimum insurance or liability-only insurance, your rental car may not be fully covered. Comprehensive and collision coverage are important to have, especially for newer and more valuable cars. These coverages will protect you in case of accidents, damage, or theft.
Additional Coverage Options
National General offers several additional coverage options that can enhance your protection. Their SmartServices suite includes specialized services, such as roadside assistance, rental car pickup, and vehicle inspection after repairs. They also offer accidental death and dismemberment coverage, auto protection plans, and Mexico insurance coverage if you drive to Mexico. Additionally, National General provides unique benefits, such as emergency expense allowances, lifetime repair guarantees, and guaranteed claims service satisfaction.
Comparing Rates and Discounts
While National General has been criticized for high rates and poor customer service, they offer a long list of discounts that may make their policies more affordable. These discounts include safe driver discounts, multi-vehicle discounts, and RV and GM-related discounts for drivers with connections to General Motors. Comparing rates and discounts with other insurers can help you make an informed decision about your coverage.
In conclusion, understanding your personal auto insurance policy and its applicability to rental cars is essential. National General offers rental car coverage and a range of additional benefits, but it's important to review their rates and discounts to ensure they meet your specific needs and budget. Remember to carefully consider your options and choose the coverage that provides you with the most comprehensive protection.
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Rental car insurance through credit card companies
Many credit cards offer rental car insurance, which can save you money on rental car protection. This insurance usually covers damage to or theft of the rental car and kicks in after your personal auto insurance pays out. However, some cards offer primary coverage, meaning you don't have to involve your auto insurer.
Understanding Your Credit Card Coverage
To understand your credit card's rental car coverage, you can call the phone number on the back of your card and ask the issuer, or check the "guide to benefits" provided by your card issuer. Coverage may vary depending on the card issuer and the specific card.
Major Credit Card Networks
Major credit card networks like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express typically offer some form of rental car coverage for cards on their networks. However, the coverage can vary, and certain types of vehicles and rentals in specific countries may be excluded.
Primary vs. Secondary Coverage
Most credit cards offer secondary coverage, which means it kicks in after your personal auto insurance policy. In contrast, primary coverage allows you to bypass your personal auto insurer and file a claim directly with the credit card company.
Requirements for Coverage
To be covered by your credit card's rental car insurance, you usually need to pay for the full rental cost with that card and decline the rental car company's collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW). Additionally, the cardholder must be the primary renter, although other drivers listed on the rental contract are often covered.
Coverage Limitations
Credit card rental car insurance typically covers damage to or theft of the rental car but may not include liability coverage for bodily injury or damage to other property. There may also be limitations on the types of vehicles covered and the duration of coverage, which is usually up to two weeks or a month.
Examples of Cards with Rental Car Coverage
Some popular credit cards that offer rental car coverage include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- American Express® Gold Card
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
American Express Add-on Coverage
American Express offers secondary rental car coverage on its cards, but you can purchase primary coverage through their Premium Car Rental Protection program for a separate fee. This provides enhanced coverage for a flat cost per rental, which is often much lower than the daily cost charged by rental companies.
When Credit Card Coverage May Not Apply
Credit card rental car insurance typically does not cover luxury or exotic cars, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, or rentals from car-sharing services. Additionally, there may be country exclusions, and coverage durations are usually limited to a certain number of consecutive days.
Filing a Claim
In the event of an accident or damage to your rental car, you will need to submit various documents to your credit card company, such as a copy of the accident report, the rental agreement, repair estimates, photographs, and a police report, if available.
National General Rental Car Insurance
National General offers rental car insurance if you have a personal auto policy with them that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Their liability insurance typically extends to rental cars driven in the US, and they also offer rental car reimbursement coverage, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car while your personal vehicle is being repaired.
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National General's customer service
National General, an Allstate company, offers a range of insurance products, including auto insurance, and has been serving policyholders for over 100 years. The company has a professional claim response team and a network of more than 55,000 independent agents across the country, providing customers with easy access to help and advice.
National General offers different types of auto insurance to cater to diverse drivers' needs. Their auto insurance coverage includes collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, underinsured motorist protection, personal injury protection, and accidental death and dismemberment. The company also provides rental car reimbursement coverage, which helps cover the cost of a rental car while the customer's vehicle is being repaired.
In addition to auto insurance, National General offers homeowners, renters, and commercial auto insurance. They also have a DynamicDrive program, which rewards customers with lower rates for using their telematics app that provides driving feedback and promotes safe driving.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, National General offers rental car insurance. If you have a personal auto policy with National General that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, this insurance will likely extend to cover your rental car.
If you only have liability insurance with National General, physical damage to the rental vehicle will not be covered.
National General's liability insurance will usually extend to your rental as long as you are driving in the U.S. Your personal liability insurance will pay for others' medical expenses and repairs to others' property resulting from an accident you caused in your rental vehicle.
You can check with your credit card company to see if it provides rental insurance coverage or consider purchasing additional protection through the rental car company.
