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Do I have to purchase rental car insurance for a cross-country trip if I don’t have personal car insurance?
Should I opt for additional coverage for my cross-country road trip if I don’t have personal auto insurance? Living in New York, I don’t have a car. But now I’m moving to California for a job opportunity. To make the move easier, I’ve rented a minivan. I don’t want to pay $250 for rental insurance if I don’t have to. I do have a collision damage waiver through my credit card.
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“It is highly recommended to take every insurance option offered by the rental car company if you do not have personal auto insurance to ensure your safety and to protect others on the road.
Getting rental car insurance would provide a sense of security in knowing you have proper coverage and are prepared for the unexpected.
Keep in mind that a collision damage waiver only covers a collision if someone hits you or if a thief steals your vehicle. It doesn’t cover basic liability, such as property damage or bodily injury suffered by others. So if you do not have personal car insurance, it would be a good idea to purchase
supplemental liability coverage
to cover any damages you could potentially cause to other vehicles.In the unlikely event you find yourself in a
car accident
while driving a rental car, you will need to:- Exchange car insurance with the other parties involved.
- Inform the rental car company.
- Contact the insurer to determine the cost of the damages and who will be responsible for what.
Not having the proper coverage could result in paying thousands of dollars! To put this in perspective, just think about it like this: Would you pay $250 for
car insurance
if it might end up saving you $50,000?If you’re shopping for car insurance, Jerry will generate competitive quotes from top providers in less than a minute. Jerry’s friendly agents are here to answer your questions and provide advice on the best coverage options.”
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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