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If your auto policy doesn't cover a rental car or if you
are traveling in a foreign country where your policy won't
give you protection, check with your credit card company
about the insurance they offer. You must charge your car
rental on your credit card for their coverage.
The four major credit card companies, American Express,
Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa, offer similar domestic
coverage; all provide collision damage waiver coverage.
However, your credit card may or may not cover car rentals
in foreign countries. Some companies cover all countries
except those they specifically list. Others list the
countries where you will be covered. Even if your credit
card will provide you coverage, some countries such as Costa
Rica choose not to allow this and require you to purchase
additional insurance. If you plan a lot of travel by car in
foreign countries, it might be worth getting a second credit
card that offers international coverage.
Credit card company policies differ regarding which rental
cars are covered and which are excluded. The length of time
for credit card insurance coverage varies considerably. For
example, you may be covered from 15 - 31 consecutive days in
the United States and for 30 - 31 days in foreign countries.
Your third option, in addition to your own vehicle insurance
policy and coverage that your credit card may give, is to
buy insurance from the car rental company. They will offer
you:
Collision damage waiver coverage, also known as loss damage
waiver, which typically covers the damage repair costs to a
rental car, theft of the vehicle or vandalism. The costs
range from $9 to $25 per day.
Supplemental liability insurance covers you if you cause
damage to someone else's vehicle or injury or death to other
persons. This can cost from $6 to $15 per day.
Personal accident insurance will cover you and your
passengers against injury or death. You'll pay from $3 up to
$10 per day.
Personal effects coverage is for theft or damage to
personal items. The costs range from $1.95 to $4.95.
Whether you are using your auto insurance coverage, credit
card coverage or purchasing from a rental company, before
you start driving you'll want to know who you contact if you
have a problem, and how you file a claim.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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