Do I have to Buy the Rental Car Insurance Coverage?

The answer is no, not unless you don't have car insurance of your own. Chances are that your individual car insurance that you have on your own car also covers rental cars. Check your own car insurance policy language to see if there is a provision that talks about this. You may also want to check your homeowner's insurance policy to see if you have rental car insurance coverage under that policy, as many do. If you're traveling for business, check with your employer about their insurance. Many employers whose employees are required to travel buy insurance for this very purpose.

You may also want to check with any of your major credit cards. Often times, credit card companies will provide rental car insurance coverage, if you use that card to rent the car. This language is often spelled out in the tiny print the credit card company sends you with your card.

Often times when people travel, they do not carry with them any of these policies or contracts. However, it might be a good idea to do so if you know you're going to be renting a car. Rental car companies may try and force you to buy their own rental car insurance coverage, by telling you that it's the law or that your own insurance won't cover it. This just isn't true. If you have your policy with you, be it the credit card contract or insurance policy, you can show this to the car rental representative as leverage to not need to buy their car rental insurance coverage. This should end any arguments and disputes, which is especially helpful after a long day of traveling.