Question
Does my car insurance cover a rental car?
Short answer
Usually yes, within the US and for personal use: your policy's coverage carries over to the rental. It covers damage to the rental only if you carry collision and comprehensive on your own car.
What carries over
- Liability for injuries and damage you cause to others, up to your limits.
- Damage to the rental only if you have collision and comprehensive, minus your deductible.
The rental company may also charge for the days the car can't be rented and an administrative fee. Many personal policies don't pay those.
When you may need the rental company's cover
- You don't own a car and have no policy, so there's nothing to carry over.
- You're renting abroad. Most US car policies cover only the US and Canada.
- You're renting for work. Your employer's policy or a business policy is the one to check.
- You carry only liability on your own car and don't want to pay for rental damage yourself.
The damage waiver sold at the counter isn't insurance: the rental company agrees not to charge you for damage. Many credit cards include rental car coverage, but it often only pays what your own policy doesn't. Check before you travel.
This is general information about how US policies usually work. Your own policy's wording and your state's rules decide the details.