Travel Information: Rental Car insurance

Rental Car insurance Information

The information in this post applies to rental car insurances issues in the United States.

Always look at the exclusions section in the policy. Usually, standard policies don't cover cars driven off road, exceeding certain value, trucks and SUV. Even, some policies don't cover cards driven in specific countries or states. Checking all the details it's a boring and time consuming job, but it has to be done. The advertisements look very nice, but there are so many exceptions that can produce a false sense of security.

Car Insurance
Your own car insurance will many extend to car rentals for a specific period of time. Always call them and verify, as there are certainly going to be exclusions. Remember that if you make a rental claim against your car insurance, your policy costs could be increased. Most credit cards offer secondary coverage only, that is, your car insurance pays first and the credit card the rest. But I've found some good coverage at affordable price, read bellow.

• Only the coverage you have on your own insurance will be extended to the rental. For example, if the car insurance only covers liability , then comprehensive and/or collision won't be covered.

Allianz Rental Car Damage Protector
This policy is very affordable and I like the coverage very much. The coverage only covers damage and loss, it does NOT include liability.
Quick Facts:

• $9 per day. 
• Covers vehicles up to $40000, including SUV (which isn't common). There are some exclusions, read the policy. In regards to SUV coverage, I called customer support and the representative told me that the SUV are covered, except when they are used as off road as 4x4 vehicle (they don't cover 4x4 vehicles, and I think that they also don't cover off road driving but I didn't ask this last one).
• This is primary coverage. 
• I've purchased it from American Airlines' website or by phone. The process is pretty quick, about 10 minutes.
• The policy certificate can be downloaded from Allianz web site (I don't know whether this link is going to be valid in the future. But I took it from the same place where I purchased the policy)
• I've seen that other companies offer the same coverage from Allianz. However, when I went to Allianz web site, the coverage offered was for $35000 only.

American Express Premium Card Coverage
This is the best Rental Card policy I've seen so far. Not only due to the superior coverage, but also the affordable cost. The only limitation is that the full cost of the car rental has to be charged to an American Express card.
Quick Facts:

• $24.95 for up to 42 days
• Up to $100,000 of primary coverage for damage or theft of a Rental Car.
• Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death or Dismemberment coverage ($250,000 for California Residents).
• Up to $15,000 for excess medical expenses per person.
• Details in Amex web site.
• On Line enrollment is needed before being able to use this coverage (see above site)

Travelguard Car Rental Collison Coverage
I didn't  look too much at this one as it doesn't seem as good as Allianz or American Express.
Quick Facts:

• $9 per day
• Up to $35,000 in coverage minus a $250 deductible. Sold per vehicle, not per person. This plan covers the cost of repairs for damage to a rental car, up to the limit of coverage, for which the car rental contract holds you responsible.
• It is not clear to me whether a stolen card is covered by this policy. I would confirm by calling them before signing up.
• Also, I haven't checked whether it is primary or secondary insurance.
• SUV not included in the coverage.
• Online purchase form at Travelguard's web site.

Rental Car insurance from credit Cards
Read carefully the policy coverage included by credit cards. Most of them are secondary insurance. It seems that when a car renter doesn't have car  insurance, the credit card would act as primary car insurance, but I haven't confirmed this yet. Also, ready the restrictions carefully. Most credit cards limit the coverage to standard cards costing less than $50000, not including truck, SUV. In general, I read the statement saying that the rental has to be paid fully with the credit card.  It is not clear to me yet, whether a car paid with miles and taxes with credit card, is also covered. Afaik, it wouldn't.

• Visa Signature Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
  Receive Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver coverage for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. Simply complete the entire rental transaction with your eligible Visa Signature card and decline the auto rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or similar provision. You will be reimbursed for the repair or replacement oReceive Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver coverage for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. Simply complete the entire rental transaction with your eligible Visa Signature card and decline the auto rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or similar provision. You will be reimbursed for the repair or replacement of covered losses to your rental vehicle when certain terms and conditions are met.f covered losses to your rental vehicle when certain terms and conditions are met.
• Citibank Citicards Auto Rental Insurance Product List & Disclosures (here is some information I've collected, but always check the details specific to your credit card)
  VISA consumer card: Automatic coverage when you charge the entire cost of your rental from a licensed rental agency with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance.Visa Auto Rental Insurance coverage is secondary coverage and underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.
  Mastercard consumer card: Automatic coverage when you reserve and rent a vehicle with this card and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance. Excess Collision Loss/Damage Insurance coverage (of up to $25,000 per occurrence) is secondary coverage and is underwritten by Triton Insurance Company. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.
  Mastercard business card: Automatic coverage when you reserve and rent a vehicle with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance. MasterRental Insurance coverage (up to $50,000 per incident) is underwritten by Virginia Surety Company, Inc. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership. Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver - Business Card:  Automatic coverage when you charge the entire cost of your rental from a licensed rental agency with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance.
  Visa business card: Visa Auto Rental Insurance coverage is primary coverage and underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.
  American Express card: Worldwide Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Coverage :  Automatic coverage up to $50,000, when you charge the entire cost of your rental from a licensed rental agency with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance. Worldwide Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Coverage, which provides coverage in excess of other insurance, is underwritten by Federal Insurance Company, a member insurer of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.