Understanding Secondary Auto Insurance: Rental Car Coverage

how does secondary auto insurance work in a rental

When renting a car, you'll be offered various insurance options, which can be confusing. Credit cards often provide rental car insurance as a benefit, which can save you money and provide peace of mind. This insurance is either primary or secondary.

Secondary rental car insurance supplements your personal auto insurance policy. It covers your deductible and fills in any gaps in your coverage limits, ensuring that damage or theft of the rental car is covered up to the benefit limits.

Primary rental car insurance does not involve your personal auto insurance if there is a claim. This insurance handles all claims for damage, theft, towing, and loss of use up to its coverage limits.

Characteristics Values
Type Secondary car insurance is a type of insurance that covers rental cars.
How it works If you get into an accident with a rental car and have secondary coverage, you'll need to file a claim with your personal auto insurance policy provider first. Your credit card's coverage will then cover what your personal policy won't, with some limitations.
What it covers Damage to the vehicle caused by a collision, vehicle theft (not including personal belongings), and loss-of-use charges imposed by the car rental agency while the vehicle is being repaired or replaced.
What it doesn't cover Personal injuries or property damage caused in an accident.
Limitations A list of excluded vehicles and countries, caps on rental periods, and total coverage.
Conversion If you don't have personal car insurance, or if you're travelling outside the US and Canada and your personal policy doesn't apply, secondary coverage will be converted to primary coverage.

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Secondary auto insurance is typically offered as a benefit on your credit card

When renting a car, you will need to decide how to insure it. One option is to go with the insurance available through the rental company, which will cover all your damages. Another option is to use the rental insurance available through your credit card company.

Most credit cards with rental insurance offer secondary insurance. While this can be a good way to save money on your rental, it may not offer enough payment if you're in an accident. If it doesn't cover all of your damages, you will need to turn to your personal insurance company, which could lead to an increase in your monthly rates.

To use your credit card insurance, you will need to pay for the rental with that credit card and decline the company's insurance. You will also need to be listed as the primary driver on the rental agreement.

It's important to note that secondary car insurance usually comes with a deductible, which is an out-of-pocket expense that you will have to pay before the insurance company will cover any damages. Additionally, secondary car insurance often has payment limitations, meaning they will only cover a portion of the damages.

Before renting a car, be sure to check the insurance coverage offered by your credit card company and understand the limitations and exclusions of the policy.

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Secondary insurance covers damage to the rental car, but not personal injuries or property damage

When renting a car, you will need to decide how to insure it. Secondary car insurance coverage is a type of insurance you can use to cover your rental car. It is often available as a credit card benefit. If you are in an accident in a rental car, your secondary car insurance will cover the damage to the rental car. However, it is important to note that secondary car insurance does not cover personal injuries or property damage.

If you have secondary car insurance and are in an accident, you will first need to file a claim with your personal insurance company. They will pay for the damages up to your policy limits. After that, your secondary insurance will cover any remaining damages, but only for the rental car itself. Any personal injuries or damage to other people's property will not be covered by your secondary insurance.

Secondary car insurance usually comes with a deductible, which is the amount you will have to pay out of pocket before the insurance company covers any damages. It may also have payment limitations, meaning it will only cover a portion of the damages. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of your secondary insurance policy to understand what is and is not covered.

If you want coverage for personal injuries and property damage, you may need to consider purchasing additional insurance, such as supplemental liability insurance or personal accident insurance. These types of insurance can provide coverage for medical costs, ambulance fees, and damage to other people's property. However, it is important to note that these coverages may be included in your health, life, or car insurance policies, so it is worth checking with your insurance provider before purchasing additional insurance.

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Primary insurance is better as it covers all damage and means you don't have to contact your personal insurer

When renting a car, you will need to decide how to insure it. If you opt for secondary insurance, you will need to file a claim with your personal insurance company first, which can be a time-consuming process. You will also have to pay a deductible, and your insurance premiums may increase.

Primary insurance is better because it covers all damage and means you don't have to contact your personal insurer. This saves you time and money, and your insurance premium won't increase because of the accident. Primary insurance also has more generous terms, covering the full cost of the car. It also covers theft or vandalism, and there is no deductible to pay out of pocket.

If you're in an accident with a rental car, primary insurance will pay your damages first. The limits of a primary insurance policy are usually high and will often cover the full cost of your damages. With secondary insurance, you will have to pay a deductible, and the insurance company will only cover a portion of the damages. If secondary insurance is not enough to cover the cost of damages, you will then have to file a claim with your personal insurance company, which could lead to an increase in your monthly rates.

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Secondary insurance can become primary if you don't have a personal auto insurance policy

When renting a car, you will need to decide how to insure it. If you have a personal auto insurance policy, your secondary insurance will act as a supplement to your primary auto insurance. In the event of an accident, you will first file a claim with your primary insurer, and your secondary insurance will cover what your personal policy won't, subject to some limitations.

However, if you don't have a personal auto insurance policy, your secondary insurance can become primary. This means that it will cover damages before accessing any other types of auto insurance. In this case, you will first file a claim with your secondary insurance provider.

It is important to note that secondary insurance usually comes with a deductible, which is an out-of-pocket expense that you will have to pay before the insurance company covers any damages. Additionally, secondary insurance often has payment limitations, meaning they will only cover a portion of the damages.

When deciding on rental car insurance, it is crucial to understand the differences between primary and secondary coverage and how they apply to your specific situation.

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Check your card's benefits guide to see if it offers secondary or primary insurance

When renting a car, it's important to know how you're going to insure it. If you're thinking of using the insurance available through your credit card company, you'll need to check your card's benefits guide to see if it offers secondary or primary insurance.

Secondary car insurance coverage is a type of insurance that you can use to cover your rental car. It usually comes with a deductible, which is an amount you'll have to pay out of pocket before the insurance company covers any damages. It also often has payment limitations, meaning it will only cover a portion of the damages. Secondary insurance will pay for damages if you don't have a primary insurance policy, but you'll usually need to pay a deductible first.

Primary car insurance coverage, on the other hand, covers damages in a rental vehicle before accessing any other types of auto insurance. If you're in an accident, you'll file a claim with the primary insurance provider before your personal insurance. One of the biggest benefits of this is that your insurance premium won't increase because of the accident. Primary insurance covers damages from accidents, as well as theft or vandalism. However, very few credit card companies offer primary car coverage.

To find out if your credit card offers rental car insurance and whether it's primary or secondary, you can check the card's marketing page, the guide to benefits, or contact customer service.

Frequently asked questions

Secondary auto insurance is a type of insurance that covers your rental car. It is often available as a credit card benefit. If you are in an accident involving a rental car, your secondary auto insurance will pay for the damages. If the accident meets policy limits, your personal insurance company will pay the rest.

If you have secondary insurance and primary insurance, you will need to file a claim with your primary insurance provider first. Your secondary insurance will then cover what your primary insurance doesn't, including your deductible.

Secondary auto insurance typically covers damage to the rental car caused by a collision, theft of the rental car (not including personal belongings), and loss-of-use charges imposed by the rental company. It does not cover personal injuries or property damage.

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