Auto insurance coverage for rental cars

Personal auto insurance policies typically extend coverage to rental cars used for personal travel within the United States and Canada. The coverage applies the same liability, collision, and comprehensive limits and deductibles found in the driver's primary policy.

Because personal insurance often carries over, a July 2024 Consumer Reports survey of over 6,000 members found that only 10% of renters purchase additional insurance at the rental counter. However, drivers with liability-only policies lack comprehensive or collision coverage for rentals, meaning their insurance will not pay to repair or replace a stolen or wrecked vehicle.

While some credit cards provide coverage for the rental vehicle itself, they generally do not cover injuries or property damage caused to others. Such costs are typically handled by the driver's auto policy. Since rental agreements often only provide state-minimum liability, experts suggest confirming specific contract details and considering supplemental liability to increase protection limits.