USAA is one of America's best-rated insurance companies, offering a wide range of services, including auto insurance that typically extends to rental cars under certain conditions. If you have an auto insurance policy with USAA, your coverage will generally extend to rental cars. For example, if you have liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages on your personal vehicle, these coverages will usually apply to the rental car, according to the terms of your specific policy.
USAA's rental car insurance works similarly to rental car insurance from other major insurers. You rent the vehicle, and USAA extends insurance throughout the duration of the vehicle rental. If you are involved in an accident or if your rental car is stolen, you make a claim through USAA, which treats the claim just like it would with your personal vehicle.
USAA also offers rental car reimbursement as part of its auto insurance package. If your insured vehicle is in the shop for covered repairs, rental car reimbursement can help cover the cost of a rental car. However, this coverage does not apply when renting a car for vacation or other personal use.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Coverage | USAA auto insurance covers rental cars in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and US territories and possessions. It also covers rental cars in Canada and Mexico. |
Rental Reimbursement | USAA offers rental reimbursement coverage, which covers the cost of renting a car when your ordinary vehicle is being repaired. |
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)/Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) | USAA's rental car insurance includes a CDW/LDW, which means the rental car company will not hold you responsible for collision costs if the rental car is damaged or stolen. |
Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) | USAA provides extra liability protection for costs associated with damage or injuries to other people or property if you're at fault in an accident. |
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) | USAA covers medical costs for you and your passengers if you're involved in an accident. |
Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) | USAA protects personal belongings that are stolen from the rental car. |
Roadside Assistance | USAA offers roadside assistance for emergencies such as flat tires, lockouts, and towing. |
International Coverage | USAA's coverage for international rental cars varies and depends on factors such as the country, your individual policy, and local laws and requirements. |
Exclusions | USAA's coverage may not extend to rental cars used for commercial purposes or ride-sharing services. Additionally, certain fees charged by rental companies, such as "loss of use" or administrative fees, may not be covered. |
What You'll Learn
- USAA auto insurance typically covers rental cars in the US, Canada, Mexico, and US territories
- If you have an accident in a rental car, you pay the deductible on your auto insurance policy
- If you have a USAA credit card, you have secondary coverage for rental car theft or damage
- USAA's Car Rental Program can help cap your liability for rental car damage with certain companies
- USAA's rental car reimbursement covers the cost of a rental car when your vehicle is being repaired
USAA auto insurance typically covers rental cars in the US, Canada, Mexico, and US territories
USAA is one of America's best-rated insurance companies. If you have an auto insurance policy with USAA, your policy should cover you when renting a vehicle. USAA extends its car insurance coverage to most car rentals in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and other US territories and possessions. Your USAA policy also extends to cover rental cars in Canada and Mexico.
Whatever coverage you have on your personal vehicle also extends to your rental vehicle. If you only have minimum liability coverage, your rental car will only have liability coverage, meaning you will need to pay out of pocket for repairs. If you have full coverage car insurance on your personal vehicle with USAA, your rental vehicle will have the same coverage.
The same limits also apply. For example, if you maintain the lowest legal levels of liability insurance, USAA will raise your liability limits to match the lowest legal minimum limits in the state or province you're in. However, if you have low collision and comprehensive coverage limits on your personal auto insurance policy, those limits will also apply to your rental car.
USAA's rental car insurance works similarly to rental car insurance from other major insurers. You rent the vehicle, and USAA extends insurance throughout the duration of the vehicle rental. If you are involved in an accident or if your rental car is stolen, you make a claim through USAA. USAA treats the claim just like they would a claim on your personal vehicle.
USAA covers these claims through your collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, depending on the type of loss. All full-coverage USAA policies include collision and comprehensive coverage. If you injure someone else or damage someone else's property, USAA covers these damages through liability insurance. Your USAA policy includes bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
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If you have an accident in a rental car, you pay the deductible on your auto insurance policy
If you have an accident in a rental car, you will need to pay the deductible on your auto insurance policy. The deductible is the portion of the loss that you are responsible for covering out of pocket. The amount of your deductible will depend on the terms of your auto insurance policy. It is important to understand the coverage provided by your auto insurance policy before renting a car, as different policies offer varying levels of protection.
In the event of an accident in a rental car, it is crucial to follow the proper steps to ensure the safety of those involved and to facilitate the insurance claim process. Here are the key steps to take:
- Ensure everyone's safety: The first priority is to check if anyone involved in the accident is injured and call for emergency services if necessary. If possible, move the vehicles to a safe location out of the way of traffic.
- Exchange information: Obtain contact and insurance information from the other drivers involved in the accident. This includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, insurance companies, and policy numbers. Also, take note of the driver's license number, vehicle registration, and license plate for each vehicle. If there are witnesses, get their contact information as well.
- Document the accident: Take detailed notes and photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle makes, models, colours, and any damage. Note the exact location of the collision, including street names and lane information.
- Contact the rental car company: Inform the rental car company about the accident as soon as possible. They will guide you through their specific procedures and may require you to fill out an incident report.
- Notify your insurance company: Contact your auto insurance provider to inform them of the accident and initiate a claim. They will provide you with information about your coverage, deductibles, and the claims process.
- Understand your coverage: Determine what your auto insurance policy covers and what additional coverage you may need. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, it typically extends to your rental car. However, if you only have minimum liability coverage, you may need to pay out of pocket for certain repairs.
- Know your responsibilities: As the renter, you are responsible for paying the deductible directly to the rental car company. The company will need to repair the vehicle as soon as possible. Your insurance company will then handle the claim and pursue reimbursement from the responsible party if necessary.
It is important to carefully review your auto insurance policy and understand the extent of your coverage before renting a car. Additionally, consider the benefits of adding rental reimbursement coverage to your policy, which can provide valuable protection in the event of an accident.
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If you have a USAA credit card, you have secondary coverage for rental car theft or damage
If you have a USAA credit card, you can benefit from secondary coverage for rental car theft or damage. This means that your credit card will cover any charges that your personal auto insurance policy doesn't. This can include your deductible, which could save you up to $1,000. However, you will still need to file a claim with your primary insurer, which may cause your car insurance premiums to increase.
To be eligible for this benefit, you must pay for the rental car in full with your USAA credit card or USAA reward points. You can't split the cost with another credit card. Additionally, you must decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) offered by the rental car company. This benefit is only valid for rentals of up to 31 consecutive days and applies to regular passenger cars, not trucks, SUVs, vans, pickups, motorcycles, RVs, or luxury vehicles.
It's important to note that certain conditions, such as reckless driving or driving while impaired, would void your coverage. To make a claim, you must file within 60 days of the incident and submit the required documents, including a copy of the accident report form, the auto rental agreement, and photographs of the damaged vehicle.
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USAA's Car Rental Program can help cap your liability for rental car damage with certain companies
USAA is one of America's best-rated insurance companies. If you have an auto insurance policy with USAA, it should cover you when renting a vehicle. USAA extends its car insurance coverage to most car rentals in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, or United States territories and possessions. According to USAA, your policy also extends to cover rental cars in Canada and Mexico.
The same coverages and limits that apply to your personal car also apply to your rental car. For example, if you only have minimum liability coverage, your rental car will only have liability coverage, meaning you will need to pay out of pocket for repairs. On the other hand, if you have full coverage car insurance on your personal vehicle with USAA, your rental vehicle will have this same coverage.
USAA's Car Rental Program provides benefits such as everyday savings of up to 25% off base rates at participating locations worldwide, an additional driver fee waiver, and a young driver fee waiver for those aged 18-24.
When renting a car with Avis, USAA members can benefit from a liability damage limit of $5,000 without purchasing a Loss Damage Waiver. Avis also waives the collection of Loss of Use fees, Administrative fees, and Diminutions of Value costs for USAA members renting under the USAA program.
Similarly, Hertz offers USAA members a liability damage limit of $5,000.
It is important to note that USAA does not cover all types of rental vehicles, and there may be restrictions on vehicle usage and rental periods. Additionally, some rental car companies charge additional fees that may not be covered by your insurer.
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USAA's rental car reimbursement covers the cost of a rental car when your vehicle is being repaired
USAA is one of the best-rated insurance companies in the United States. It offers rental reimbursement coverage, which is an optional add-on to your USAA car insurance policy. This means that if your car is being repaired due to a covered claim, you can get a rental car at no cost to you.
Rental reimbursement coverage is especially useful if you need to continue with your daily activities and responsibilities while your car is out of commission. It is also a convenient solution during the repair process, as you won't have to rely on public transportation or expensive ride-sharing services.
Here's how it works: you add rental reimbursement coverage to your USAA car insurance policy, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. If your car is damaged by a covered cause, such as an accident, and is not driveable, the rental reimbursement coverage kicks in when you file a collision or comprehensive claim and pay your deductible. USAA will cover the cost of renting a car for up to 30 days or until your vehicle is repaired, whichever comes first.
It's important to note that rental reimbursement coverage typically has a daily limit, which is usually around $50 to $100 per day, and the available coverage limits vary based on the state and the type of vehicle you rent. Additionally, this coverage does not apply if your car is undergoing routine maintenance.
To add rental reimbursement coverage to your USAA car insurance policy, contact your USAA Insurance representative, who will guide you through the process and provide details on coverage limits and costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, USAA offers rental car insurance for standard vehicle rentals.
If you have an auto insurance policy with USAA, your coverage will extend to rental cars. Whatever coverage you have on your personal vehicle will also extend to your rental vehicle.
In some cases, it is in your best interest to buy the rental company's insurance coverage even if you have USAA. However, in other cases, buying the rental company's insurance could leave you doubly insured.
USAA's coverage may not extend to rental cars used for commercial purposes or ride-sharing services. Additionally, certain fees charged by rental companies, such as "loss of use" or administrative fees, may not be covered by your insurance.