Deciding Whether To Purchase Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage
Rental car reimbursement is one of the car insurance coverage add-ons that many people do not think about until they are in a situation to need a rental car. It is important to make decisions about car insurance add-ons before you need to file a claim. With rental car reimbursement coverage, you can rent a car while your regular vehicle is in the shop being repaired, and the insurance company will cover all of the rental costs.
How important is your car for daily business? The first thing to consider before you choose whether or not to purchase rental car insurance add-ons is how you would be able to get by if your car was unavailable for a few days, a week, or longer. If you need your car every day and you do not have any backup in place, you may find that purchasing rental coverage is the best way to make sure that you always have a vehicle when you need one.
Can you afford to rent a car on your own? Some people prefer to pay for their rental cars on their own without purchasing additional insurance coverage. The possibility of an accident that would cause your vehicle to be kept at a garage for several days is generally remote, which can make it worth the gamble if you do not want to carry rental coverage. If you choose against rental coverage, make sure you can afford to pay for the rental if you need one.
Do other people drive your car regularly? Drivers who do not share their cars with anyone else have complete control over the way the car is driven. If you allow a friend, spouse or colleague to drive your car, however, you have no idea how carefully this other person will behave on the road. Even if you are an excellent driver and believe that you can avoid accidents that would cause you to need a rental vehicle, you can only feel safe if you are the only one driving your car. When several people drive the same car, the odds increase for that car to be involved in a collision.
Does a rental car add-on increase the rates too much? Purchasing rental car reimbursement coverage will increase your car insurance rates. It is up to you to decide whether it would be more expensive to pay for the additional coverage through your insurance company or pay for a rental car if you ever need one due to an accident. Consider all of the costs of being without a car for an extended period of time before you make your decision about rental coverage.
