[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.