Rental Car Insurance Question

[3LOU5]

Last year, I visited my parents in FL. I reserved a rental car online from E-Z Rental Car, since they were the cheapest price.

When I got to their counter in Orlando International Airport, they asked me if I wanted insurance. I said, "No, I will put this on my Mastercard", hoping that would suffice.

They returned with "Oh, you HAVE to have insurance here in FL. We don't rent out our cars without it".

I was thinking, "Wait a minute. I clicked on the agreed price on the website, and now they have suddenly tacked on an extra $100 or so for mandatory insurance ??"

I didn't have time to argue and just wanted to get to my parents, so I just agreed to their "mandatory" car insurance.

So my question is, "Is that legal ?? Have you guys encountered anything like this while renting cars ????"

Yesterday, I rented from Enterprise to again visited my parents this coming holiday season. Their price was came in the cheapest, and I am hoping this same scenario would NOT play itself out again.

I'm also wondering what to say if they ask me if I want insurance.

Thanks for any advice....

[3LOU5]

BTW, I have rented cars before and declined THEIR insurance without any issues, since they were all reserved with my credit card.

Has their been any changes in the last few years that prevents one from declining their insurance ????

[John V]

I had a similar question when I rented a car for the first time many years ago. I called my insurance carrier and asked them if my policy covered rental cars as well. At the time I was told that it did, and they sent me the docs that proved that I was covered.

I've always declined the stuff the rental car agency provides as a result. But I've never circled back to make sure it's still part of my policy. :dunno:

[clyde]

Most regular auto policies cover you in rentals the same way as in your own cars. If you have collision and comprehensive, your regular deductible would probably apply should you wreck it, damage it or see it get stolen. If you only have liability, you may want the LDW or collision offered by the rental agency. I suppose it's possible the rental agency may not let you rent without it, too.

A lot of credit cards also offer coverage to varying amounts when the card is used to secure or pay for the rental.

Like John said, check.

I usually decline, too, but the LDW (or CDW) can be interesting. If you get a flat in a rental, they can charge you for the tire replacement...even if the car had been out of alignment for the past 5,000 miles and that's what caused the flat. Someone scrapes you in a parking lot bigger than whatever the acceptable size is? They may bill you. Take a rock that stars the windshield? Open your wallet.

If you have the LDW, no worries.

It's a huge profit item for the rental agencies. Cars are rarely damaged, so they rarely pay out. It's also stupid expensive at anywhere from $12-$35/day at what they'll first offer. But, it's often negotiable. Sometimes they'll also offer special pricing if you have AAA, membership in another group, or are on a corporate rate plan.

When I did my family road trip through the desert a few years ago, I rented an Impala. After discounts and negotiation, LDW was $3/day. When I busted the driver's door hinges to the point the door wouldn't close, I just swapped it for another Impala at the next airport location. Without the LDW, I suspect I would have been on the hook for a couple hundred bucks and/or a bunch of phone calls and paperwork. If the LDW had been $20/day, no way would I have taken it.

[ZBB]

Some jurisdictions have mandatory minimal insurance coverage that is required on rental cars -- but I don't know offhand about Florida.

But I signed up for Amex's premium rental car coverage. Its a flat fee of $15 or $25 (depending on coverage) and covers up to 30 days, and has no deductible. They charge it automatically when you have a rental car charge hit the Amex (and I may or may not have reserved on the Amex, but changed the card when turning the car in)...
https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do

[Pinecone]

I have always declined additional coverage in FL as everywhere, without trouble. My normal car insurance covers me.

But do realize that if you damage a rental car, they will charge you a fee based on the number of days of lost revenue. THAT fee is probably not covered by your car insurance. It may be covered by your credit card.

And yes, I found about this the hard way. :)

[lupinsea]

We keep an American Express car for the sole purpose of car rentals when we travel. They provide phenomenal rental car insurance coverage but at no extra cost. The kind of insurance coverage that covers EVERYTHING if you get in an accident.