When you step up to the Rental Car Counter the Rental Agent is going to ask you if you want to purchase insurance for the rental vehicle. If you say no they will ask you to initial next to each coverage that you decline. The decisions that you make in these few moments could have a dramatic impact on your financial situation. Deciding if you need to purchase the auto insurance offered at the Rental Car counter before you arrive can keep you from incurring a serious financial loss or wasting your money on insurance that you already have or do not need. One of the questions that we are asked most as auto insurance agents is “Do I need to purchase the auto insurance offered at the rental car counter when I rent a car?” The answer to this question is maybe. You may be able to provide coverage for the rental car using insurance policies you already own or you may decide you need to purchase additional protection. In this article we are going to give you the information that you need to make these crucial decisions.

When You Rent A Car There Are Several Ways To Secure Coverage For It Without Having To Purchase Coverage At The Rental Car Counter.

Transfer Coverage From Your Existing Auto Insurance Policy - If you are going to be renting a car and you have an existing auto insurance policy you should take your insurance I.D. card with you when you rent the car. The car rental company may require it and it can save you a lot of time and aggravation if you are pulled over by the police in your rental vehicle. The coverage and deductibles on your own auto insurance policy will automatically transfer to cars that you rent as long as you are not using the rental car for business purposes or renting in another country. You should check the declarations page of your personal auto insurance policy to find out if you currently carry Property Damage Liability, Comprehensive and Collision coverage. Make note of your Property Damage Liability limit and your Comprehensive and Collision Deductible. If you are renting a car in another country you should definitely consider purchasing coverage at the rental counter as most personal auto insurance policies only cover their owners in the country where the policy was written.

Damages to your rental car will be covered by the Property Damage Liability portion of your personal auto insurance policy if you are renting the car for pleasure use. However, if you were involved in an accident that is covered by your auto insurance policy and your car is in the shop being repaired. Damages to the replacement car that you rent will be covered by the Comprehensive and Collision coverage portion of your personal auto insurance policy. That means that you will have to pay the deductible for these coverages if you damage the rental car.

Use Coverage Provided By Your Credit Card - Most major credit cards advertise rental car insurance as one of the benefits of owning their card. The truth is that the coverage that these cards provide usually only pays after your personal auto insurance policy limits have been exhausted and only if you used their card to pay for the entire price of the rental. The level of protection with credit cards seems to change on a daily basis so we recommend calling your credit card company to determine your exact level of protection for rental cars. When you talk to the credit card representative ask them for information about Liability, Comprehensive and Collision coverage for rental cars. It is best to get this in writing as it is not unheard of to get several different answers from the same credit card company. You should also ask if there are any exclusions. Many credit cards exclude coverage for luxury or exotic car rentals.

Purchase A Non-owned Auto Insurance Policy - If you rent cars frequently but you do not have your own auto insurance policy you can save yourself a lot of money by purchasing a “Non-Owned Auto” Liability policy. This policy provides you with the same type of protection as the Excess Liability coverage offered at the rental car counter. These types of policies usually cost around $300 a year and will cover you when you are driving any private passenger automobile. This policy only provides protection for Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability. It will not pay for damages to your rental car so you will still need to purchase the Collision Damage Waiver or use one of the coverage methods we discussed earlier.

If you are unable to secure coverage by using any of the methods listed in the previous chapter you should seriously consider purchasing coverage at the Rental Car Counter. It can be hard to get an honest advice about these coverages from the rental car agent because they are paid a commission every time they sell it to you. Don’t worry; we have provided you with all of the help you need below.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - This protection is also called the loss damage waiver (LDW) by some rental car companies. It is often referred to as insurance but this is incorrect. It is actually a waiver of responsibility. When you purchase this protection the rental car company waives your responsibility for damages or theft of the rental car. If something were to happen to the car you would simply file a quick claim form when you returned the car and the rental car company would pay to repair or replace it. The price for this protection usually ranges from $15 to $25 depending on where you are renting.
Caution: This coverage may become void if you cause an accident while breaking the law. This includes excessive speeding, driving off road or driving while intoxicated so be careful when you are driving a rental car or any car for that matter.

If you carry a minimum limit such as $10,000 for Property Damage Liability coverage you may want to consider purchasing the Collision Damage Waiver because this low limit may not be enough to pay for repairing or replacing the rental car. Remember you could also be held responsible for damages to other peoples car’s or property if you are involved in accident and found to be at fault and Rental car companies will charge you for loss of rental income for the car that you damaged. These are all important factors that should be considered when deciding if you should purchase the Collision Damage Waiver.

Another advantage to this coverage is that there is no deductible. This can come in handy if you were involved in an accident that is covered by your auto insurance policy and you are renting a replacement car while your car is in the shop being repaired. You see in this scenario any damages to the rental car would be covered by your Comprehensive or Collision coverage which means that you would have to pay the deductible.

Excess Liability - Car rental companies are required by law in most states to provide a minimum amount of liability protection for renters of their vehicles but this is rarely enough to protect your interests if you seriously injure someone in an accident. The liability portion of your personal auto insurance policy will transfer to your rental car so you have adequate limits of bodily injury and property damage liability on your personal auto insurance policy we would not recommend purchasing this coverage. This coverage would only pay after your personal auto insurance policy limits are exhausted. This price for this protection is around $10 to $13 dollars per day for 1 million dollars worth of excess protection.

Personal Accident Insurance - If you or your passengers are injured in an accident or as a pedestrian this coverage will pay for your medical expenses and ambulance fees if needed. If you live in a “no fault” state, have health insurance or carry medical expenses coverage you probably already have this protection and do not need to buy it from the car rental company. Check your auto insurance and health insurance policy to find out for sure. A claim for this type of loss on your personal auto policy will not cause an increase in price so if it is covered on another policy there is really no benefit to buying it from the car rental company. The price of this protection usually runs from $2 to $5 a day depending on where you rent.

Personal Effects Coverage - This is coverage for theft of you or your passenger’s personal items such as cameras, camcorders or Laptop computers. This protection may also be provided on your homeowners or renters policy if you have one so you may not need to buy it from the rental car company. However, homeowners or renters deductibles are usually $500 or higher and all of your articles may not be covered. Check the declarations page of your policy for your deductible and the exclusions section to find out if the items you are taking with you are covered.

One of the benefits of purchasing this coverage from the rental car company is that you usually do not have to pay a deductible. You simply file a claim when you return the rental car and you are reimbursed for the theft of your items. You will usually need to prove ownership of the items that you claim were stolen by providing the rental car company with receipts or other proofs of ownership. You should also ask the rental agent if any exclusions apply to this coverage prior to purchasing it. The price for this protection is $2 to $5 dollars a day.

It is better make all of your rental car insurance decisions before you step up to the rental counter. Nobody should be forced to make snap decisions on issues of this much importance and now you don’t have to. We hope that you have found the help that you needed in this handbook. I love to get feedback on this article so please send your questions or comments to info@theautoinsurancebuyersguide.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Dylan J. Guidry and his team of auto insurance specialists are a recognized authority on the subject of automobile insurance. Their website http://www.understandingautomobileinsurance.com provides drivers with an independent source of car insurance information that can be used to lower the cost of their auto insurance.

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Whether you crave a holiday full of outdoor adventure or a relaxing vacation sampling gourmet cuisine and award winning wines, New Zealand has something for everyone. And, there is no better way to explore this highly diverse country than to rent a New Zealand motor home. With many tourist destinations within a few hours of each other and a well-maintained network of roads and highways, renting a motor home or camper van in New Zealand provides travelers the freedom and flexibility to experience all of the sites and attractions while enjoying all of the comforts of a home on wheels.

With many companies specialising in renting motor homes in New Zealand, it’s helpful to compare prices and availability on the internet. Rates tend to be higher during the summer months of December through February, and the best deals are to be had from May through September. Reputable rental companies will offer comprehensive insurance, roadside assistance, and 24-hour customer service. Other features that are also frequently offered when renting a camper van in New Zealand include itinerary planning, kitchen utensils, linens, unlimited mileage, ferry booking assistance, airport pickup, and luggage storage.

Camp ground facilities throughout New Zealand are generally very well maintained and in convenient, and often times, scenic locations. Along with BBQs, kitchen facilities, restrooms and showers, most campgrounds have laundry rooms and playgrounds. It’s always a good idea to reserve space at a campground prior to arrival, especially during the peak season of summer. Although most New Zealand motor homes and camper vans have a shower and toilet on board, it is illegal to discharge this waste into anything other than an approved dump station. Keep New Zealand clean and green. Should you dump the waste elsewhere it will end up in out pristine waterways.
The main pick up and drop off cities for a New Zealand motor home or a New Zealand camper van are Auckland and Christchurch, although some companies have an office in Wellington, Picton or Queenstown. One way hires have a minimum hire period. It is also legal to park motor homes in New Zealand on national park land as long as there is not a “Parking Prohibited” sign posted.

Most first time visitors of New Zealand visit both the North and South islands to experience the vastly different landscapes. Camper vans and motor homes can be conveniently driven onto the Interislander ferry for the three hour journey between the islands. Most rental companies will gladly book reservations for the ferry and provide you with all of the information that you will need prior to setting sail.

When touring the stunning beauty of the South Island, it’s especially important to be aware of the weather. Snow frequently falls in the winter months, and chains are required on some roads. The speed limit on New Zealand open roads is 100 km or about 62 miles per hour. To have a safe motoring holiday, it’s essential to stay within the speed limit and to obey all of the traffic signs. Many of the roads, while well paved and signed, are somewhat narrow and often slick from rain or ice. Photo radar is used throughout the country to enforce the speed limits, and there are strict laws forbidding drinking and driving.

New Zealand is an amazing country with plenty to offer every traveler, and motor homes and camper vans allow the convenience, comfort, and flexibility to make the most of your holiday. Without wasting time checking into hotels or unpacking and packing up cars and suitcases, you can spend your time enjoying the sites and relaxing in your home on wheels. Happy Motoring!

Mike O’Brien offers advice and information about new zealand car rental This is a quality web site with a choice of New Zealand rental car, motor home hire and general New Zealand information at your fingertips!

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OK, I admit it. When traveling on the corporate card I couldn’t care less what color desk I wound up at. I just pulled out the card and handed it to the person behind the car rental counter that had the shortest line at the airport.

But when I started paying for my own travel, I came to my senses. Wow! Car rental really costs!

Each year millions of Americans take a business trip. For those businesses trips, many people may
need to rent a car. If you are planning a business trip there are a number of quality auto rental companies to choose from. But you don’t have to let them take you for everything you’ve got. Know what you need before you step up to the counter.

There are a lot of discounts for government and corporate travelers. These discounts are available from rental car agencies by filling out online business renter applications. To qualify, you may need to provide company name, tax number and number of qualifying employees. Many of these corporate discounts are convenient for companies of any size. Additionally, savings are available for the business traveler through collaboration with leading and discount airline carriers.

By renting from some companies, you can get frequent flier miles on many air carriers. In addition, many car rental companies also offer discounts to air passengers when they present en route tickets from participating airlines. These specials can save you $10, $15 or $20 on your car’s rental. As you may find out, there are some restrictions, perhaps including a minimum number of days rental, on some of these offers.

Airline employees, the military, AAA, AARP and senior citizens also can get special rental rates. Other companies, such as Rent-A-Wreck, offer downloadable online coupons featuring substantial savings with reduced rates for characteristic cars, trucks or SUVs.

Another way to realize savings is by searching online for Internet specials. You can sometimes save significantly by booking in advance online. Some companies have weekly rates that will save you considerably when you book your rental on their web site. Frequent renters discounts also merit mentioning. With frequent renters discounts, the more you rent the more you save.

Another way the buyer can benefit from special online deals is though upgrades. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy a nicer or larger auto at the same price of the lesser car you reserved.

From discounts and coupons to companies that specialize in low rates, opportunities for great rates can be found with good old-fashioned comparison shopping.

Karen Kirby has 25 years of experience in the computer industry, an MS in Computer Science, and a BA in Honors English. She has been helping people with Internet marketing since 1995. For more information on car rental discounts see http://rental-cars.brilliantbusinessmodel.com/. Be sure to get a free copy of the “Internet Marketer’s Guide to Free Traffic” at http://www.aimbright.com/ebook.

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