am i covered if i rent a car on vacation?

In most cases coverage your personal auto policy will extend coverage to a car you rent temporarily on vacation if used for personal use. Coverage would extend the same as the coverage on the car listed on your policy having the best coverage. For example: - You have one car (Car A) on your policy with liability only and another (Car B) with Comprehensive with a $250 deductible and Collision with a $500 deductible. - You go on vacation and rent a car for 3 days for personal use. - Coverage will extend to the rental car at the same limits as Car B on your policy.

Caution: Reasons You May Still Want to Purchase Coverage From The Rental Car Company You should still look at the cost of the coverage from the rental car company for the following reasons: 1) Hassel factor: If you purchase the coverage from the rental car company and have an accident, then it usually makes it easier on you since you bought their coverage. You pretty much will just have to sign a form or two and they will get you another car. If you dont purchase their coverage, it will take more of your time and more paperwork for them to confirm your existing coverage information, etc. 2) Charges Not Covered on Your Policy: Often times, if you didnt purchase the coverage from the rental car company and you damage the car, they will attempt to charge you with a fee. Often times they will call it an Administrative Fee. I have seen it range from $100 to about $250. Your personal policy will NOT cover this fee. It will only cover the physical damage to the car (assuming you have coverage for physical damage). The rental car company already has your VISA or other credit card information and will just put those charges on it. 3) Avoid Having to File a Claim on Your Policy: If you purchase the coverage through the rental car company and damage their car, then a claim wont show up on your policy which could, potentially, cause higher rates in the future.

I had a case where I rented a car in Florida and had a minor fender bender where I was at fault. I happened to purchase the coverage from the car rental company. I took the car back to the rental company, signed a form, and they provided me another car. I did not report the claim to my insurance company and so the at fault accident will never show up.

Renting a U-Haul type truck for moving. In general, you should purchase insurance coverage through the truck rental company. Coverage may not extend from personal auto because the truck would not be considered a private passenger automobile. Similar with a U-haul trailer; however, there MAY be some LIMITED coverage for a trailer. But, again, best bet is to buy their insurance.

what do i do when buying a new car?

Buying a New Car If you buy a new car and trade in an old car, then you will automatically have coverage on the new car the same as the car you traded in for a few days to allow you time to make the change on the policy. However, it is best just to get it added immediately when you buy it.  If you do NOT trade in a car BE CAREFUL!. You will only have coverage on the new car for a few days and the coverage will be the same as the coverage on you LEAST covered car on the policy. And that is ONLY TRUE IF you only have an auto policy with ONE INSURANCE COMPANY. If you happen to have two different auto insurance companies for your vehicles, there is NO COVERAGE if you purchase an additional automobile until you actually add it to the policy!

For example: - You have two cars on your policy with one of them having liability only and the other having comprehensive and collision - You buy a third car and do not trade in either of the two you had. - Coverage will automatically extend to the new car you bought BUT ONLY FOR LIABILTIY ONLY and ONLY IF YOU HAVE ONLY ONE AUTO INSURANCE POLICY!